The use of discretion is an inherent feature in police work (Beckett, 2016). Discretion in police work is due to the “inevitable results of the ambiguous, multifaceted and unpredictable nature of the situations that officers encounter” (Beckett, 2016, p.22). It is not possible for police officers to enforce every violation of the law they see. Police Departments do not have the resources or manpower for full enforcement. (Bohm & Haley, 2011). Police Departments must enforce laws by selective enforcement.
Selective enforcement allows the police leadership to decide which laws to enforce (Bohm & Haley, 2011). Police officers must decide the important matters about peacekeeping and enforce the law (Bohm & Haley, 2011). When an officer encounters
Selective enforcement allows the police leadership to decide which laws to enforce (Bohm & Haley, 2011). Police officers must decide the important matters about peacekeeping and enforce the law (Bohm & Haley, 2011). When an officer encounters