For expertutor only

Discretion in Criminal Justice Police Patrol 3

Discretion in Criminal Justice Police Patrol

Margaret Kerere

CJS/225

Patrick McNichol

April 3, 2016

Critical thinking is additional than merely looking at a dilemma. It engages using every option and variables in the circumstances. You have to separate and glance at things from an additional clinical and lesser emotional point of view. [ K.Petress, (2004). ] In this paper I will discuss about critical thinking skills applied for making decisions during the simulation. Also I will discuss about critical thinking skills which are employed by police officers, in addition to how professional and individual barriers might have an effect on the utilization of police officers critical thinking skills.

While patrolling on one night my partner and I were dispatched to a remote two story isolated building area where there were no lights and where gunshots were heard. I conducted the search, with my partner, searching each floor by using our flash light. As I was approaching the parking lot, I heard a noise that I suspected was a person.

I and my partner moved forward. As we approach to the entrance doorway, we saw an individual standing in the parking lot space. I challenged him and he unexpectedly fetched a gun around and took a shot. I stood still behind the doorway of the parking space and returned the fire as he shot back at me. Neither of us hit one another. He ducked back to a corner of the parking lot. I moved back so he could not fire in the course of the wall at me. In this situation we only had option either to retreat back to secure corner of parking lot or then attack the suspect when he approaches to come out. Second option was to go on inside the parking lot and directly attack the suspect. However in this option the risk was too high as my partner and I could have been shot by the suspect.

Therefore we selected the first option by retreating to a secure corner with the entry to the parking lot in view. We both were holding the opposite corner of the entry. We also called the SWAT for back up. The criminal was isolated and contained in the parking room. There was no external window to the outside. Then after about a half an hour the suspect actually came out of the parking lot, my partner and I had the advantage of holding the opposite corner with two guns against him. My partner shot him in his leg as soon he came out. I pounced on him grabbing his gun and handcuffed him. It was an extremely critical situation where mine and my partner’s life were at risk. However I made some quick decisions which led to the arrest of the suspect.

I feel every option we select has an effect, and we can advance our decision making process by foreseeing what those may be. I while making any decision try to approach the problem from several diverse viewpoints which help to improve my personal thought processes. Every time I have to make a decision, there is an attached purpose to that alternative, or an objective that the decision will assist me achieve the desired results.

Critical thinking is regarding how we utilize our knowledge and intelligence to attain rationale and objective viewpoints.  Beliefs and opinions based on critical thinking position compared to those devised in the course of lesser rational procedures.  In addition, critical thinkers are typically superior equipped to construct decisions and resolve problems compared to persons who are short in this ability.  [K. Petress, (2004).]

On a daily basis, police officers countenance many situations on the street where they have to construct decisions on how to carry on subjective expressions similar to “common sense” or “using good judgment” are regularly tested to use the course of action of arriving at a successful decision. However what they need is an objective device to compute success instead of basing actions on prejudiced standards.

Police officers are called upon to formulate decisions and exercise power which affects lives of others, and they are habitually needed to take this on the spot, with a restricted time and available information. They formulate these decisions on a daily basis and have to search for ways to sharpen their skills and assist them compose the best decisions feasible with the accessible information on hand. Personal bias and emotions can act as a barrier to critical thinking process while making decision by the police officers. Humans are by nature volatile creatures and which are mostly based on our bias and emotions and how we act in response to them. As a result if police officers have to be the finest critical thinker they must place their emotions sideways. Officers have to be skilled drivers, other they as well require the ability to apply their skills in irresolute ways. [W. E. Phillips, & D. Burrell, (2009).]

References

· K. Petress, (2004). CRITICAL THINKING: AN EXTENDED DEFINITION. Education, 124(3), 461-466.

· W. E. Phillips, & D. Burrell, (2009). Decision-making skills that encompass a critical thinking orientation for law enforcement professionals. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 11(2), 141-149.