Police have three functions for law enforcement. The three are called order maintenance, community service, and the actual law enforcement. The first of the three is called order maintenance and is basically maintaining order. I'll use the example of teachers. Teachers have to control a classroom everyday but they do not always give out detentions when a student is talking out of turn or does not have their homework. This is like police, they may not have to give out tickets or make arrests but they maintain peace by giving out simple warnings. This is why discretion is so important with police officers. They must have good judgment to do what is responsible.
The second function of law enforcement is community service. It is important that the ones who are protecting the people are also caring people who want to help others. It is important to understand the relationship that the police have to maintain with the community. The police depend upon the community for assistance for example, neighborhood watch. The relationship between "boss and community" should always be worked on. Police do not just need to worry about making arrests and pulling people over, they have to care beyond the law.
Law enforcement is the third function for law enforcement (and most obvious!). This is the job of enforcing laws that come from legislature, or federal or state and so on down the line. Also constitution and courts. Order maintenance and law enforcement may seem alike but they are different. Sometimes one may need to just maintain order without having to give tickets or make arrests. This is why discretion becomes important in these situations.
Do you think you possess the discretion to make responsible decisions if you were a police officer? Why do you think maintaining order and law enforcement get confused?
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