Freakonomics Radio 476. What Are the Police for, Anyway?
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Sep 23, 2021 
In this enlightening conversation, New York City police lieutenant Edwin Raymond, a whistleblower against the NYPD's quota system, joins law professor Sarah Sayo and London police commander Alex Murray. They discuss America's unique challenges in policing, from gun culture to mental health crises. The trio examines the historical roots of policing and how the evolution of traffic enforcement affects community trust. They also tackle the intricacies of policing in a diverse society and advocate for compassionate approaches to law enforcement.
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Raymond's Bodega Robbery
- Edwin Raymond, an NYPD lieutenant, was flagged down about a bodega robbery.
- Despite the suspect having a gun, Raymond waited for backup and discovered it was a spray-painted water gun.
US Police Shooting Rate
- The U.S. has the highest rate of fatal police shootings among wealthy democracies.
- With 34 fatalities per 10 million, it triples the rate of Canada and Australia.
Cars and Policing
- Sarah Sayo's research on drug laws revealed the car's impact on policing.
- Early car chaos led to traffic laws, enforced by police, merging crime and traffic enforcement.