This reads like a variation of a "domestic dispute" police call.  Put together a few folks who are angry and intoxicated, mix well, then call the police to settle things down.  It's common knowledge that such calls are extremely dangerous for officers.  Additionally, of course, police officers are not "relationship counselors" and usually end up with everyone angry at them.  

At this point it's all "guess work" as attorneys, judges, possibly juries and who knows who else send time and amass huge legal fees and court costs to "resolve" things.  Law suits are almost always aimed at the folks with the "deepest pockets", in this case the EPD.