[ttiitg]

But isn't that a good trait in law enforcement if through experience gained on the street they can tell the difference between 'good' and 'bad' people, as defined by whether they're breaking the law or not? Then they focus their time on cases most likely needing attention?

If they profiled only on race or on class that is obviously bad. And I imagine in some areas there's a correlation between race or class with crime.

But in general I'd expect the police to develop good judgement in being able to read people on sight using whatever cues they can pick up on.

I never get 'harassed' by the police nowadays, but as a middle class white teenager I was being stopped all the time, usually because they could tell from body language or how and where I was driving that I was up to something. Usually they were dead right and usually it was alcohol related.