Now a while back I was bull shitting with a buddy of mine and he went on to explain to me how law enforcement works in the United States. Now of course most of what he told me was likely bull shit, but the problem is that it is such a reasonable argument that it could be true. I want to say this isn't confirmed fact, it is likely bullshit, but it is definitely something to think about.
Now a lot of the world is motivated by profit. Policies on environment, social programs. Business, politics, wars. So why would law enforcement as a whole be any different. So the three ways that U.S. police enforcement is lead by profit motives is through department funding, seizures and prisons.
Now the concept that was explained to me is that the police want to not eliminate crime altogether, but keep it at a certain sustainable level because it is profitable to. For example if you arrest a bunch of small time crooks and prosecute them that is no big deal. However if you allow those crooks to learn the drug trade, get some weapons, maybe hurt a few people or be in possession of narcotics, then when they are arrested and prosecuted it will look better for the department. The better the department looks, the more funding they get from the city and state.
Now the other reason to allow crims to go from small time to proper bad asses is because of the possessions. A small time crook is doing crime to survive. Someone who is a bit bigger in the criminal world may have a car, electronics, and other possessions that can be seized. These seized items can be auctioned and sold, and that funds the departments.
The last part is the prisons. Now prisons state side are government funded but privately run. Now they get funding based on the number of people, but more importantly based on the profiles of their prisoners. People convicted of more severe crimes with longer sentences get the prison more money. This is all fine and dandy but how does this affect police departments? Well what I was told was prisons will give kick backs to departments for larger profile criminals, either under the table or through contributions.
Like I said this may be total bullshit but it does sound reasonable enough, especially the first two points that it could be true. Something to think about.
