Sometimes the public wants nonenforcement, and other times they want strict enforcement. Police take adult complaints more seriously than those made by juveniles. Arrest and force is more likely to be used against African Americans. People in middle to upper income brackets receive more and better service from police. Gender and mental health status affect how police handle many incidents.
Police sympathize with and only lecture some offenders.
The presence of weapons or acts of resistance often result in police overreaction. The type of property involved in a property crime determines police response and investigatory effort. Activities initiated by police are followed up more than activities initiated by citizen complaint. Police tend to become much more bureaucratic when witnesses, an audience, or the media are present. Police tend to become lenient when the court and correctional systems are clogged.