Hunting for "dirtbags" : why cops over-police the poor and racial minorities

An inside look at police discretionary actions and their consequences for poor communities. This ethnographic study, which includes participant observation research and in-depth interviews with police officers in a major California city and a large East Coast city, explores how police officers use their discretionary time on the job - and the consequences. Providing insights into police discretion, the authors show that America's "tough on crime" approach to justice has too often proved to be a smoke screen for controlling people deemed undesirable, rather than a genuinely effective strategy for reducing crime This Ethnographic Study, Which Includes Participant Observation Research And In-depth Interviews With Police Officers In A Major California City And A Large East Coast City, Explores How Police Officers Use Their Discretionary Time On The Job--and The Consequences. Providing Highly Textured Insights Into Police Discretion, The Authors Show That America's Tough On Crime Approach To Justice Has Too Often Proved To Be A Smoke Screen For Controlling People Deemed Undesirable, Rather Than A Genuinely Effective Strategy For Reducing Crime.