a police officer who chooses a course of action within the limits of his power is said to be using

by Verda Cremin 10 min read

Discretion can be defined as the power to make a choice. It has been said that police need discretion to maintain order in society. Discretion is that characteristic which allows police to balance the dynamic tension between civility and liberty in a democratic society (pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rwatkins/5105_lecture5.html). According to Kenneth Culp Davis, “a police officer has discretion whenever the effective limits on his power leave him free to make a choice among possible courses of action or inaction” (Davis 1969, p. 4). A police officer’s discretion not to arrest represents the triumph of common sense over the excesses and ‘unwisdom’ of legislators. (Davis 1975, pp 62-66).

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How do police officers decide when to use force?

Nov 30, 2018 · Question 3 A police officer who chooses a course of action within the limits of his power is said to be using _____. tracking sampling discretion diffusion Question 4 A juvenile officer who feels an opposition between enforcing the laws of the community and aiding in the treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders is experiencing ...

Do the police exercise discretion or enforce all laws?

Jan 01, 2002 · Discretion can be defined as the power to make a choice. It has been said that police need discretion to maintain order in society. Discretion is that characteristic which allows police to balance the dynamic tension between civility and liberty in a democratic society (pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rwatkins/5105_lecture5.html). According to Kenneth Culp

What does it mean when a police officer aggressively demands favors?

Mar 05, 2020 · Broadly speaking, the use of force by law enforcement officers becomes necessary and is permitted under specific circumstances, such as in self-defense or in defense of another individual or group. There is no single, universally agreed-upon definition of use of force. The International Association of Chiefs of Police has described use of force as the "amount of …

What happens when a police officer lets their ethics and morals weaken?

Question 3 A police officer who chooses a course of action within the limits of his power is said to be using _____. sampling tracking diffusion discretion feedback Correct. LO4, Bloom's: Understand. LO4, Bloom's: Understand.

What is the use of force in police?

This authorization makes policing a unique profession. The use of force includes the use of deadly force. “In some ways one can think of the use of force as a necessary evil…the choice of two evils. For example, to physically harm someone to prevent a greater harm” (http://web2.airmail.net/slf/summer94/force.html). According to the United States Supreme Court, an officer’s use of force against a free citizen must be objectively reasonable, based upon the totality of the circumstances known to him at the time (http://laaw.com/finalre2.htm).

What is discretion in police?

Discretion can be defined as the power to make a choice. It has been said that police need discretion to maintain order in society. Discretion is that characteristic which allows police to balance the dynamic tension between civility and liberty in a democratic society (pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rwatkins/5105_lecture5.html). According to Kenneth Culp Davis, “a police officer has discretion whenever the effective limits on his power leave him free to make a choice among possible courses of action or inaction” (Davis 1969, p. 4). A police officer’s discretion not to arrest represents the triumph of common sense over the excesses and ‘unwisdom’ of legislators. (Davis 1975, pp 62-66).

What is the goal of a police officer?

An officer’s goal is to regain control as soon as possible while protecting the community. Use of force is an officer’s last option — a necessary course of action to restore safety in a community when other practices are ineffective. Injuries may occur in any use-of-force incident, and police should ensure that those injured receive medical aid ...

What is the continuum of force police use?

The levels, or continuum, of force police use include basic verbal and physical restraint, less-lethal force, and lethal force. Learn more about the use-of-force continuum.

What is the last option for police?

Use of force is an officer’s last option — a necessary course of action to restore safety in a community when other practices are ineffective. Injuries may occur in any use-of-force incident, and police should ensure that those injured receive medical aid and that the family of any injured person is notified. Excessive force.

Is force necessary for law enforcement?

Broadly speaking, the use of force by law enforcement officers becomes necessary and is permitted under specific circumstances, such as in self-defense or in defense of another individual or group. There is no single, universally agreed-upon definition of use of force.

What is the definition of use of force?

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has described use of force as the "amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject" [1]. Officers receive guidance from their individual agencies, but no universal set ...

Why is situational awareness important?

Situational awareness is essential, and officers are trained to judge when a crisis requires the use of force to regain control of a situation. In most cases, time becomes the key variable in determining when an officer chooses to use force.

What are the duties of a police officer?

A police officer must perform his duties with integrity. A police officer must not: maliciously damage or destroy property belonging to any person; illegally dispose of property belonging to any person; knowingly file a false or inaccurate report or recommendation concerning any person. 8).

When was the Code of Ethics established?

This code was established by the Peace Officer’s Research Association of California in 1956 and since then has made its way throughout the country to Police departments and its officers. Many department mission statement have been derived from the very words that appear on the code of ethics.

What is the most common form of police corruption?

The most common form of police corruption involves: Gratuities. The Knapp Corruption Commission coined the term "grass eater" as defined by: Officers who passively accept what is offered to them. The Knapp Corruption Commission coined the term "meat eater" as defined by: officers who aggressively demand favors.

What is a police pad?

an officer aggressively demands favors. The police "pad" is defined as: the process involving regular payoffs to the officers to protect an ongoing illegal activity. In the 1990s, the Mollen Commission argued that a new form of corruption had emerged which was a convergence of: corruption and brutality.

What is a grass eater?

The definition of a "grass eater" officer according to the Knapp Commission was: an officer who passively accepted what is offered in terms of favors. The definition of a "meat eater" officer according to the Knapp Commission was: an officer aggressively demands favors. The police "pad" is defined as:

What is the blue curtain of silence?

It initiates officers into corrupt activities, sustains them, and engages in covering them up. The refusal of officers to testify against other officers, one of the major factors protecting police corruption, is known as "the blue curtain of silence.".

What is the rotten apple theory?

The "rotten apple" theory describes a situation where: only a few officers are independently engaged in corrupt acts. A "rotten pocket" exists when: several corrupt officers cooperate with one another within one department.

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