Final answer:
The statement is true. Police officers have the ability to ignore crimes or exercise discretion regarding them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that police are free to ignore crimes or exercise discretion regarding them, even when the crime is serious, is True.
Police officers have the ability to use their discretion when it comes to enforcing laws and dealing with crimes. They can choose to prioritize certain crimes based on their severity, resource availability, and department policies. For example, some police departments may focus on cracking down on small crimes as a means of preventing major crimes through a strategy known as Zero-Tolerance Policing.
However, it is important to note that while police officers have discretion, they are still bound by legal and ethical obligations to serve and protect the community.