Which factor is not indicated by research findings to influence police discretion?

• A. Offense seriousness
• B. Suspect demeanor
• C. Time of day
• D. Department policy

Answer: (C)

Factors shaping police discretion are largely about what’s happening in the situation and the policy constraints guiding officers. Offense seriousness is a strong predictor because more serious crimes demand tougher responses and higher risk assessments. Suspect demeanor matters because cooperative or hostile behavior can sway an officer toward warnings or arrests based on perceived threat and control needs. Department policy acts as a formal rule set that channels discretionary choices, limiting or directing how similar cases should be handled. Time of day, by contrast, does not consistently alter discretionary decisions in the research; while staffing or situational context can vary by shift, the evidence doesn’t show a reliable, systematic effect of clock time on whether an officer cites, warns, or arrests after controlling for other factors. So time of day is the factor not supported by research as influencing police discretion.