Hertz surely is partly responsible for these incidents, but I'd also say that the SWAT team-esque response, with a dozen officers drawing their guns on peaceful people, against those merely suspected of driving a "stolen" rental car, is both excessive and fairly draconian.
Why are these cases civil, and not criminal?
If I make a false report to the police, in sure I'll get criminal charges against me. Why is it different of its a company?
The problem is that a "false arrest" kicked off by a company needs to result in <i>jail time</i> for a company executive.<p>Anything short of that, and it's "just a cost of doing business".