Overview
This lecture covers police discretion, duty, and various policing styles, highlighting how officers make judgment calls in complex situations, especially regarding use of force and responses to domestic disputes.
Police Discretion and Duty
- Discretion refers to officers' ability to choose how and when to enforce the law.
- Duty is defined as the responsibilities attached to the police role.
- Officers may interpret their duty differently, leading to varied responses in similar situations.
Police Styles of Discretion
- Legalistic style: officers enforce laws strictly and objectively, with minimal discretion.
- Watchmen style: officers assess threats based on individuals or groups and act according to perceived seriousness.
- Caretaker style: officers treat citizens differently based on their social power or status, sometimes granting favors.
Patrol Officers’ Roles and Challenges
- Patrol officers are highly visible and responsible for monitoring, intervening, and addressing crime, conflict, accidents, and welfare matters.
- Discretion is important in situations with no clear or ideal solutions, often involving difficult decisions.
Use of Force and Mental Health
- Officers may use force if legally justified, especially when facing threats from individuals in mental distress.
- Aggressive police tactics can worsen situations with mentally ill individuals, increasing risk of violence.
Domestic Disputes and Police Response
- Police responses to domestic disputes can vary widely; not all require legal action if no serious injury or desire to press charges.
- Officers may provide support such as transporting a victim to safety or waiting with them.
- Historically, police often avoided intervening in domestic violence unless it was a felony-level assault.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Discretion — the authority to choose among courses of action or responses.
- Duty — the specific responsibilities tied to a professional role.
- Legalistic style — strict, objective law enforcement with little flexibility.
- Watchmen style — varied enforcement based on perceived seriousness or group involved.
- Caretaker style — differential treatment based on citizens’ social status or power.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review different policing styles and consider examples from current events or case studies.