Part 5/15:
The late 1990s marked a turning point. Sherlock observed the gradual dissolution of these specialized units, replaced by what he characterizes as a “softer,” more community-oriented approach, heavily influenced by media pressures. Politicians and journalists, he contends, fueled narratives that police were too brutal or racist, leading to a decline in proactive policing. This media-driven criticism, he argues, pressure from outside influences, and department attrition caused a significant reduction in aggressive crime-fighting efforts.