Police Quote by Don Winslow
““Cops fall into two categories—grass eaters and meat eaters. The grass eaters are the small-timers—they take a cut from the car-towing companies, they get a free coffee, a sandwich. They take what comes, they’re not aggressive. The meat eaters are the predators, they go after what they want—the drug rips, the mob payoffs, the cash.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Power of the Dog, Don Winslow, 2005
Describes two types of police: passive ones who accept small bribes, and aggressive ones who pursue big crimes.
In simple terms: Two police styles: small‑time acceptors vs. big‑time predators.
Recognize and challenge corrupt, low‑level enforcement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban policing
- internal investigations
- community trust
- reform initiatives
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this categorization affect public trust?
- What reforms could reduce predatory policing?
Even predators can become compromised by systemic pressures.