Here's why:
* "Usted" is the formal "you" in Spanish, used for showing respect to someone you don't know well, someone older than you, or someone in a position of authority.
* Police officers are considered figures of authority, so you would use "usted" when addressing them.
Example:
* "Usted" puede ayudarme, por favor. (You can help me, please.)
* "¿Usted" sabe dónde está el banco? (Do you know where the bank is?)