Justice

Discretion refers to the power of decision that police officers have as part of their job (Boivin & Cordeau, 2011). Police discretion has some key features that make it necessary part of police work. Police have the power to choose what action they wish to take when finding an offender who has committed a crime. A small crime like a traffic infringement gives the police power to give the offender a warning instead of arresting the offender for something that is not too serious (Dempsey & Forst 2008). Police discretion also deals with some negative aspect including corruption, arability and unethical behaviour; for example an officer being racist. Racism is an unfortunate negative on police discretion with some police; predominantly in America abusing their power and taking more serious action against people of African- American decent (Boivin & Cordeau, 2011). Police are more prepared and flexible than ever before with policies and guidelines to map out exactly what they should be doing in terms of using discretion in their day to day police activities.

    Police discretion means the availability of a choice of options or actions in a situation. It involves making a decision on how to best handle a situation from a group of options (Dempsey & Forst 2008). For example a police officer who stops a car because of a minor traffic violation (not stopping at a stop sign) has the choice to give you a fine or a warning (written or verbal). Police need to have this discretion because there is far too much crime to take the ultimate action for.   Most crimes that are committed are minor and do not require full enforcement. The complete enforcement of all the laws would take up too much time and ultimately mean the police are on the street less protecting the people and maintaining order. It would also mean it would overwhelm the courts, jails and prisons if everyone who broke a law was caught and prosecuted. (Dempsey & Forst 2008). Police do not have...