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Decoding Police Discretion: Factors and Control

Explore the definition of police discretion, its impact on official actions based on judgment, and factors influencing decisions such as seriousness of crime, strength of evidence, victim preference, and suspect demeanor. Delve into the influence of race, gender, behavior of victims, police-citizen interactions, and neighborhood environment on discretionary choices. Learn about department policies, organizational culture, and civilian oversight in controlling police discretion.

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Decoding Police Discretion: Factors and Control

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  1. Police in America Chapter Eight Police Discretion

  2. Discretion • Definition of discretion • Official action • By a criminal justice official • Based upon that individual’s judgment about the best course of action

  3. Seriousness of the crime The more serious, the more likely an arrest Strength of the evidence The stronger the evidence, the more likely to arrest Preference of the victim Relationship between victim and suspect Arrests are more likely when victim and suspect are strangers Demeanor of the suspect Disrespect toward the police means arrest Characteristics of the victim Moral judgment of the officer of the victim Factors influencing discretionary decisions

  4. Factors influencing discretionary decisions • The influence of race and gender • Black suspect, white victim • Behavior of a female victim • Police-Citizen Interactions • Citizens reaction to officer request • No resistance • Slight resistance • Moderate or high resistance • Violent or explosive resistance • The neighborhood environment • High crime or low crime areas

  5. Factors influencing discretionary decisions • Characteristics of the individual officer • Does not appear to have a major influence on police behavior • Official Department Policy • Powerful influence • Informal organizational culture • Watchman • Legalistic • Service • Local political culture • Community priorities

  6. Control of discretion • Professionalization of the police • Written policies • Written rules • Policies • SOP • Civilian oversight S.O.P. SOP

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