Republic of the Philippines

State Universities and Colleges

GUIMARAS STATE COLLEGE
Buenavista, Guimaras

Module 2
The Enforcement Pillar

Topic 3: Concepts and Theories Police Discretion

Overview

Module Outcome:
At the end of the Topic 3, the student will:
 identify the philosophies of police service.
 appreciate the importance of police discretion.

METHODS TO BE USED: Model V (Take off, Content Focus, Take Action, Self-Check and Self-Reflect)

Take Off (Motivation)

Content Focus: (Content)

Concepts and Theories Police Discretion

Theories of Police Service
1. Home Rule - Policemen are considered as servants of the community.
2. Continental - Policemen are considered as servants of higher authority.

Concept of Police Service

1. Old Concept
The yardstick of police efficiency is the number of arrests. Police is a repressive machinery
in crime prevention.
2. Modern Concept
The yardstick of police efficiency is the absence of crime crime/lesser number of crimes
committed.

Police Discretion- It is the wise use of one’s judgment, personal experience and
common sense to decide a particular situation. Abuse of discretion resulting to injury to
persons or damage to property is punishable. So, the police must be guided by some
basic concepts such as COMMON SENSE, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, and SOUND
JUDGMENT.
 Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE COLLEGE
Buenavista, Guimaras

Module 2
The Enforcement Pillar

Self-check (Assessment)
Worksheet 5

Name: __________________________________________________________ Score: ______________

Name of Professor/Instructor: _______________________________ Date: ______________
Course/Year/Class Code: _____________________________________ Rating: _____________

(Note: Please answer this Worksheet in our Google forms.)

Self-reflect (Reflection 5) In this lesson I learned that….

(Please submit your answer using our Google forms)

References:
 Banks, C. (2009). Criminal justice ethics: theory and practice. (2 nd ed.) Los Angeles: SAGE.
 Cano, G. J., Amante, D.A., Fernandez, N.M. (2010) Philippine crimina l justice system. Manila:
Mindshapers.
 Timpac, T., Handbook on Philippine Criminal Justice System, RMC Publishing Haus, Tarlac City
Philippines, 2011
 Domingo, S., Criminal Justice System, Rex Book Store, Manila, Philippines