CJ230 Kristopher Turner Module 3-2

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Philosophy

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Nov 24, 2024

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Kristopher Turner CJ-230 Discretion in Criminal Justice Module 3-2 SNHU Professor Molinari When there is a need to differentiate between what is good and wrong and hold other people accountable for their conduct, it is necessary to use discretion. If a police officer pulls you over for speeding, for example, it is up to that officer to determine whether or not to issue a citation or whether or not to merely issue a warning instead. It is essential to treat everyone with honesty, respect, and compassion at all times because of the power that discretion possesses; you never know when you might need them or run into them again. The chosen subject matter for my initial module one discussion board submission was not particularly commendable. However, in the event that I were to undertake its revision, I would be inclined to explore the question of whether it is justifiable for a law enforcement officer to resort to employing their firearm. Certain law enforcement officers have faced allegations of exhibiting an excessive readiness to employ force, commonly referred to as being "trigger happy," particularly in relation to individuals belonging to minority groups. It is my scholarly opinion that the act of brandishing a weapon by a law enforcement officer should be refrained from in situations where an immediate threat to said officer's personal safety is not discernible. It is imperative that individuals maintain a constant state of heightened vigilance, and it is not within my purview to suggest that they ought to delay the drawing of firearms until circumstances deteriorate. However, in the event that an individual's name is queried, and it is discovered that they are subject to an outstanding warrant, it is important to acknowledge that individuals often

exhibit resistance when faced with the prospect of being apprehended, as the prospect of incarceration is generally not a desirable outcome for most individuals. However, it is imperative that the officer exercises their discretion in order to ensure the safety of both them and the individual involved, unless the latter is armed. In the event that no weapons are readily available within your vicinity and immediate action is imperative, it is advisable to resort to the utilization of a taser device. “According to the esteemed Mapping Police Violence database, the year 2022 witnessed a disconcerting escalation in the number of individuals who tragically lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement, with a staggering count of at least 1,192 fatalities. This figure represents the highest recorded tally in history, thereby underscoring the gravity of the situation at hand. One hundred individuals within that group were found to be lacking any form of weaponry. The data indicates that individuals of African descent exhibited a threefold higher likelihood of experiencing mortality in comparison to individuals of European descent. It is noteworthy that this disparity persists despite the fact that individuals of African descent were only 1.3 times more prone to being unarmed in these unfortunate incidents. The ubiquity of these occurrences on the internet can be attributed to the widespread practice of constant recording by individuals, thereby enabling the pursuit of justice against law enforcement officers who engage in abuses of power. “Sadly, the trend of fatal police shootings in the United States seems to only be increasing, with a total 432 civilians having been shot, 53 of whom were Black, as of June 1, 2023. In 2022, there were 1,096 fatal police shootings. In 2021, there were 1,048 fatal shootings. Additionally, the rate of fatal police shootings among Black Americans was much higher than that for any other ethnicity, standing at 5.9 fatal shootings per million of the population per year between 2015 and March 2023. (Statista, 2023)”

The concept of authority holds significant importance when it comes to the exercise of discretionary decision-making. When one possesses a high degree of discretion, it becomes exceedingly unlikely for them to engage in any form of authority abuse. Discretion, in its essence, pertains to the cognitive ability to discern between what is morally correct and what is morally incorrect. When one possesses a position of authority, it is invariably in their utmost advantage to consistently engage in actions that align with moral rectitude. When an individual consistently adheres to ethical principles and conducts themselves in a morally upright manner, it elicits admiration and reverence from others. Consequently, individuals are inclined to regard such individuals as exemplary leaders, desiring to emulate their behavior and willingly submit to their guidance. This phenomenon can be attributed to the exceptional leadership qualities demonstrated by these individuals. When occupying a position of leadership, one may find it tempting to exploit the authority bestowed upon them, as certain individuals may develop a sense of invincibility and perceive themselves as exempt from consequences. The cogitation you have presented, my interlocutor, is not congruent with sound reasoning. It is imperative to acknowledge that engaging in such a manner shall inevitably culminate in the apprehension of an individual endowed with exceptional discernment, who shall subsequently report your transgressions. Engaging in the abuse of one's authority is an inherently deleterious act, as it has the potential to disrupt not only the personal sphere of the perpetrator, but also the lives of those who are subject to their dominion. One should consistently adhere to their authentic self and the ideas they disseminate into the surrounding environment, as the repercussions of such actions may manifest unexpectedly in the future.

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References Statista Research Department, & 5, J. (2023, June 5). People shot to death by U.S. police, by race 2023 . Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us- police-by-race/