In policing, what is "use of discretion"?

Use of discretion refers to the authority granted to law enforcement officers to make judgment-based decisions when enforcing laws and handling various situations. This capability is essential as it allows officers to assess individual circumstances and determine the most appropriate action. For instance, an officer may decide to issue a warning rather than a citation for a minor infraction, taking into account the context of the situation, the intent of the individual involved, and the potential consequences of their decision.

In many cases, discretion is necessary because laws cannot address every unique scenario adequately, and rigid adherence to rules may lead to unjust outcomes. Providing officers with the ability to use discretion encourages professionalism and allows for a nuanced approach to law enforcement, which can foster community trust and improve relations between police and citizens.