Crime Quote by Sergio De La Pava
““And if you learn only one thing from the ensuing maybe let it be this: the police were not merely interested observers who occasionally witnessed criminality and were then basically compelled to make an arrest, rather the police had the special ability to in effect create Crime by making an arrest almost whenever they wishes, so widespread was wrongdoing. Consequently, the decision on who would become a body was often affected by overlooked factors like the candidate's degree of humility, the neighborhood it lived in, and most often the relevant officers' need for overtime.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Crime of Being, by Sergio De La Pava, 2013
The police can generate crime by arresting people, turning enforcement into a source of wrongdoing, influenced by bias and institutional pressures.
In simple terms: Police sometimes create the crimes they punish.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how power can shape what is labeled criminal.
Themes
authority
bias
systemic injustice
policing
overreach
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- policy making
- community activism
- criminal justice reform
Key Concepts
institutional power
social control
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authority affect our perception of crime?
- What safeguards can prevent misuse of police power?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize police behavior and ignore legitimate crime prevention.
