Concept Paper: Discretion

Concept Paper: Discretion

Introduction

Discretion is defined as the capability an individual has to make a selection amongst many feasible alternatives. It is an authoritative and impulsive means law enforcement employs to apply their power to maintain peace in the community (Young, 2011). It is the excellence of having or demonstrating shrewdness or judiciousness in officially authorized boundaries. Discretion intends towards an administrator act that is undertaken by a criminal justice officer i.e. police official, legal representative or adjudicator etc. in which they employ their own decision, to make a decision in the best possible manner.

Police officials hold an imperative position and their role comprise of several diverse tasks relating to; essentially putting into effect the criminal regulation, carrying out order continuance and other varied duties. It is throughout these services and tasks that police force is frequently interconnecting and working together with the society on a habitual basis. Therefore, they have a very important and influential position in community that needs them to defend these people's ethics, main beliefs and standards. And, the manner in which police officials go about their responsibilities and implementing the regulation should reveal these ethics, main beliefs and standards in a developing, active, and multifaceted culture (Jones, 2000; Gaines & Kappeler, 2003).

Discretion holds an important position in almost every feature of criminal regulation. The Judiciary System in the nation allows the usage of discretionary choices extensively throughout the police force, prosecutors, juries, legal representatives, correction officials and parole officials. On the other hand, it begins at the front position of the criminal judiciary scheme with the “caretakers.” These caretakers are the police force and they are the individuals who make a decision whether to undertake act, where the circumstances fits in the system of commandment, regulations, and which administrator reaction is suitable for them to undertake (Gaines & Kappeler, 2003; Reid, 2006).

Discussion

Situation 1: Discretionary Act by Chiefs of Police

The Situation: In the DC Sniper situation, Chief of Police Charles A. Moose uses discretion in the inquiry by determining what data should be shared with the community. With this being one of the most turbulent homicide sprees in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, critical judgments were taken by Chief Moose in an attempt to secure people. At the crime setting of the eighth sufferer, a tarot card and a letter were recovered as proof with a detailed note intended for police force. Chief Moose determined to employ his sound discretion and not publicize the most recent discovery at the offense to the press. His reckoning in the wake of his scheming procedure was to maintain the society peaceful and unperturbed.

Controlling Protocols: As the head of Law Enforcement, it is legally required by the chiefs to maintain community security. One of the most significant responsibilities is to assure the community of their security. Whereas making attempts to keep them well-versed without creating fearful situation, Chief Moose restricted the particulars of the inquiry in order not to aware the snipers

Justification: Every situation ...