A police officer walks past a bar and hears a fight taking place. Rather than going straight into the bar, the officer walks around the block for 15 minutes. Upon returning, the fight has ended, everything is calm and there is nothing more for the police officer to do. This is an example of the police officer using discretion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the officer were following the rule of law to the letter, then immediate action would be taken - the officer would go into the bar and arrest people. However, the officer seems to have decided that this intervention could inflame the situation - and that it would be better to let the fight blow itself out naturally rather than make the situation worse. In the case, the officer has exercised discretion over and above the rules.

A Police Officer Walks Past a Bar and Hears a Fight