Don't be sympathetic toward Earl Frank
Its true that Max Dembo seems to be an irredeemable criminal with a sociopathic streak. Hes not a strongly malevolent individual, but he is reckless and selfish, and prone to violence especially when people let him down (or let him down in his eyes). But this isn't helped in any way whatsoever by his parole officer, and I found it very odd when I read threads on this board expressing some kind of empathetic feeling for Earl Frank. He isn't a criminal, but he is a bad guy.
- Their first meeting. On one hand, its obviously correct that Dembo SHOULD have made it on time, and he should have sought permission to stay in a motel as opposed to the halfway house he was designated to. But Frank's reaction to this was all wrong. A certain admonishment is needed, but Frank spoke to Max like a high school teacher would speak to an unruly student, he was smug and condescending, subtley holding Max by the balls. This is not the way a parole officer should behave, especially if you're dealing with someone with a tendency for psychological volatility.
- He starts cutting deals with Max that he shouldn't be cutting, such as 'allowing' him to stay at a hotel if he finds a job within a week. P.O.'s are there to ensure that conditions of parole are adhered to, not to reinvent them. This was an example of Frank exerting control over Max, doing him favours and expecting obedience in return, beyond the typical level.
- Max comes back to his hotel and finds Frank snooping around. He has been in there for an indefinite amount of time, looking around and fiddling with things. Its only when Max comes back and informs Frank that he is due to go on a date in 30 minutes that Frank just so happens to find used matches indicative of heroin use on the floor. Come on, you're telling me this is purely coincidence. Also, he suspects Max of intravenous heroin use, right? Whats a telltale sign that would definitely be found if Max had done so? Needle tracks in his arms. Frank looks for this, finds nothing, doesn't even check Max's eyes as he rightly points out (seeing as this is god damn procedure) but hauls him off to jail to undergo tests anyway. If he found no evidence of Max personally using the heroin, what he should have done is demanded the name of the person who was doing so, not hauling Max off before giving him a chance to explain himself.
-Hes a snide liar. When hes driving Max to the halfway house, he pressures him to reveal the identity of the person using heroin in his hotel room, but promises Max he won't do anything. Whats he so anxious to know for if he isn't going to take action over it? He likely doesn't even know Willy, why would he care?
Take all of this compounded with the fact he is greasy and sleazy, racist, retorts to off-the-cuff remarks from Max with an unpleasant 'Don't you get sarcastic with me Dembo'. he was an unprofessional petty tyrant.