Police Psychology - Police Discretion

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on police discretion.

Police Discretion

The freedom that a police officer has for deciding what to do in a given situation.

Authority to Use Discretion

Refers to the permissions granted to police officers in Canada to exercise discretion in their duties.

Extrajudicial Measures

Non-judicial approaches to deal with youth crime as provided in the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Homicides

Serious crimes for which police officers typically do not have discretion.

Minor Violations

Less serious offenses for which police often have discretion in enforcement.

R. v. Beaudry (2007)

A court case recognizing the concept of police discretion in law enforcement.

Key Research Areas

Historical areas of study regarding police discretion, including use of force and domestic violence interventions.

Situational Factors

Circumstances surrounding an incident, such as the characteristics of the suspect and victim that affect police discretion.

Environmental Factors

Socio-economic conditions and crime levels in a community that influence police decision-making.

Organizational Factors

Internal influences such as departmental policies and culture that affect how police discretion is applied.

Pros of Police Discretion

Necessary for adapting law enforcement to real-life scenarios effectively.

Cons of Police Discretion

Potential for inconsistent decision-making, biases, and abuse of power among officers.

Civilian Oversight

External mechanisms to control police discretion through community and legislative measures.

Legislation and Court Cases

Sources that confer authority to police officers for using discretion in their duties.

Control Measures for Discretion

Methods to regulate police discretion, including training and supervision.