Biology Forums - Study Force

Identify and discuss the factors believed to shape police discretion presented in the text.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Environmental Factors
The norms of the community affect the decision. Some officers work in communities that tolerate a fair amount of personal freedom. In liberal environments, the police may be inclined to release juveniles rather than arrest them. Other officers work in conservative communities that expect a no-nonsense approach to police enforcement. Here, police may be more inclined to arrest a juvenile.

Police officers may be influenced by their perception of community alternatives to police intervention. Some officers may make an arrest because they believe nothing else can be done. Others may favor referring juveniles to social service agencies, particularly if they believe the community has a variety of good resources.

Police Policy
The policies and customs of the local police department also influence decisions. Juvenile officers may be pressured to make more arrests or to refrain from making arrests under certain circumstances. Directives instruct officers to be alert to certain types of juvenile violations. The chief of police might initiate policies governing the arrest practices of the juvenile department. Another source of influence is pressure from supervisors.

Situational Factors
 The attitude of the complainant
 The type and seriousness of the offense
 The race, sex, and age of the offender
 The attitude of the offender
 The offender's prior contacts with the police
 The perceived willingness of the parents to assist in solving the problem (in the case of a child)
 The setting or location in which the incident occurs
 Whether the offender denies the actions or insists on a court hearing (in the case of a child)
 The likelihood that a child can be served by an agency in the community