The police don't want to arrest criminals and fill out paperwork if the people they pick up aren't going to be held. That's a knock on effect of what you're describing.
How often do we say the same thing about people that are poor and have no other options but turning to a life of crime? The police are paid. The retail gangs might not have any employment opportunities. But, how often does someone say "people aren't robots and morale is a thing" about them and mean that crushing poverty leads them to make poor but understandable choices.
It's just a thought experiment and something to consider.