Question:

Data shows that less than five percent of police encounters result in the use of any force and the vast majority of those encounters that do use force are justified. This leaves a very small number of inappropriate actions or incidents. However, any inappropriate behavior on the part of law enforcement is not tolerable.

Police agencies must work consistently to promote only the highest ethical behavior on the part of all officers. Officers would do well to perform their duties with a servant's heart.

1. Discuss what the term police discretion coupled with the law means to you.

2. Why do police have discretion and should they?

3. Deliberate the effects that inappropriate behavior amongst law enforcement officers has on our society.