What is the importance of police discretion?

The use of discretion allows the police officer the flexibility necessary to perform their job. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination.

What factors influence a police officer’s use of discretion?

Characteristics of the suspect — Demeanor, style of dress and grooming may influence police discretion. Poorly groomed suspects can expect less respectful treatment. Some officers treat men and woman differently.

Why is crime prevention is the foremost among police functions?

Effective, responsible crime prevention enhances the quality of life of all citizens. It has long-term benefits in terms of reducing the costs associated with the formal criminal justice system, as well as other social costs that result from crime.” (Economic and Social Council resolution 2002/13, annex), (above) .

How does discretion impact the criminal justice system?

Discretion begins with the decision to label certain acts as criminal and is followed by a series of subsequent decisions made by police officers, judges, prosecutors, and others. As a result, the objective ideal gives way to individual personal judgment, both in a collective sense and in an organizational sense.

What role does discretion play in the operation of the criminal justice system?

Discretion plays an important role in the criminal justice system as it allows for all three areas of the process to exercise their ability to make decisions regarding suspects or offenders. The police exercise their discretion by choosing to investigate or bring a crime to justice.

What is discretion in criminal justice quizlet?

Discretion Definition. -official action by criminal justice official based on individual’s judgment about best course of action. -helpful to look at system as serious of discretionary choices.

What is meant by discretionary use of police authority?

The discretionary use of police authority is a decision-making task, as officers must make choices – numerous choices – in their encounters with citizens.

What is crime prevention in law enforcement?

” Primary crime prevention identifies conditions of the physical and social environment that provide opportunities for or precipitate criminal acts. Here the objective of intervention is to alter those conditions so that crimes cannot occur”.

What are crime prevention strategies?

The 10 Principles of Crime Prevention are:

• Target Hardening. Making your property harder for an offender to access.
• Target Removal. Ensuring that a potential target is out of view.
• Reducing the Means.
• Reducing the Payoff.
• Access Control.
• Surveillance.
• Environmental Change.
• Rule Setting.

What is police discretion?

Defining discretion in Law Enforcement. Discretion refers to an official action that is taken by a criminal justice official i.e. police officer, lawyer or judge etc. in which they use their own individual judgment, to decide the best course of action.

Why are productivity and motivation important in the police force?

Productivity and motivation are important in any organization. In police agencies, officers have a lot of freedom and discretion and often are unsupervised for many hours of the workday. The individual level of commitment and desire to serve the noble and ethical cause help guide officers’ productivity and motivation on the job. 21

How can police officers improve their attitude toward crime?

Strategies that include internal shifts in assignments that break the monotony of crime fighting in tough neighborhoods also can provide relief for officers on the verge of burnout. Further, rotating officers in and out of high-crime neighborhoods and alternating with patrols in more affluent areas can result in a positive change in attitude. 3 

What is required of government leaders to prevent crime?

Government leadership at all levels is required to create and maintain an institutional framework for effective crime prevention.

How can law enforcement agencies prevent police misconduct?

Law enforcement agencies strive to recruit, hire, and train only those who demonstrate strong moral values before they enter the academy. Yet, even departments’ best efforts will not prevent instances of police misconduct from garnering attention.