Pettiness is particularly grating when you're stressed.
A few months ago I saw a news snippet on TV, that a man in his 30's had been found dead in his house on the same street my brother (in his 30's) lives on.
I messaged him, and got no response. (very much unlike him).
I messaged our parents, who went round to check on him and found his house locked.
After over an hour of trying to find out, I drove to the nearby police station and asked the cop at the front desk.
Gave him my brother's name and address (whole family's starting to get worried now, particularly as he has a 9 yo daughter).
Absolute bastard; could not have been less helpful.
Looked at me like I was something he scraped off his shoe.
Started asking inane questions, like 'Have you tried calling him?'
'Have you been around to his house?'
I understand they can't share information about an investigation; but if you're investigating a possible murder, 2 hours ago, 5 streets over and I walk in asking about a specific person, it should be fairly straightforward to just do me a solid, deign to look down at your computer and let me know he's not the guy.
He eventually told me that the detectives were still at the house, and I knew my parent's hadn't seen anyone when they went to check my brother's house, so figured he was okay.
Turns out they were at the movies.
No business with competitors would have this dipshit on the front desk for longer than 15 minutes.
I think they just love the power of having information you desperately need; and don't want to give it up by sharing.