“ Although someone has treated you in a shabby, unethical, despicable, rude, and unfair manner, doesn’t mean it’s a crime. The police often empathize with a distraught victim who has been conned and manipulated. Although the victim may convincingly portray the suspect as the incarnation of evil, there must be a violation of criminal law for the police to take action.
”
- official website of THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
From the old “Unclear on the Concept Page” of the LAPD Art Theft Detail. I’m not sure why they stopped using it (or why page lives on in the “old” directory), it’s refreshingly and amusingly direct. Other topics covered by the page
- “The police cannot conduct fishing expeditions.”
- “Just because you decide to drop the charge, doesn’t mean it will be. ”
- “The police department is not a debt collection agency. ” (bonus quote: “Debtor prisons no longer exist.”)
- “The police department is not a panacea for reckless business practices and lack of common sense.”
