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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
An 8 page paper which examines the pros and cons of police discretion in domestic violence situations. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
8 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JA7_RApcpu.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
follow the law, and make arrests as necessary, they do not necessarily recognize that police officers are often faced with situations where they must use their own personal discretion in
dealing with people. As one author notes, "Police discretion is an essential part of the job function of a police officer. Each day officers face decisions about arresting someone, letting
them go with a citation or verbal warning" (Odom, 2009). Police discretion is a very complex reality and likely becomes even more complex in the situations involving domestic violence. The
following paper examines police discretion involving domestic violence, examining pros and cons of the use of discretion. Pros and Cons of Police Discretion in Domestic Violence Situations In
first understanding the pros and cons of discretion in the case of domestic violence it is perhaps important to understand something of domestic violence for it is a very complex
topic. In one article, outlining how police officers in Illinois deal with domestic violence, it is noted that "Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA), police officers are to use
all reasonable means to prevent further abuse. An officer may make an arrest if s/he has probable cause to believe that a crime was committed" (Life Span, 2001). When deciding
if they will make an arrest it is apparently the case that they do not need to witness the crime, but can make their own judgments from looking at t6he
scene of the crime which can include what the victim has to say about the crime (Life Span, 2001). "Whether or not an arrest is made depends on police discretion"
(Life Span, 2001). It seems that an officer can make the decision not to arrest someone if they feel nothing has taken place and police may well try to talk
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