Former law enforcement officials, prosecutors and defense attorneys say the intense scrutiny being cast on the behavior of police departments nationwide — especially regarding their treatment of minorities — could lead to a temptation to stop pursuing certain crimes and suspects rather than risk accusations of misconduct.

“If it’s a not-serious street crime, they are probably going to turn and go the other way,” said Frank Rotondo, a former policeman in New York state who now lobbies for police chiefs in Georgia. “They don’t want to be accused.”

Rotondo said such a temptation might be strongest for white police officers who must decide whether to intervene in cases involving minority suspects.