Officer Colbert responds to a noise complaint from neighbors near a local community swimming pool. Though the pool closes at 6 PM, Officer Colbert discovers that there are three teenage boys swimming in the pool at 8 PM. There is also a hole in the fence surrounding the pool. As Officer Colbert approaches the three swimmers, he asks them to get out of the pool and produce identification. Each teenager complies, and one of them states that they entered through the open hole in the fence and were just cooling off. The officer asks dispatch to contact the community association, and it is confirmed that the hole in the fence was already there and should have been patched. The community association just wants the boys to leave the pool and stay off the property. Officer Colbert's police

Question

department has a policy that patrol officers may use their discretion in handling juvenile complaints. Using the qualities of an officer and use of discretion, what are the options available to Officer Colbert?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary but students should discuss the psychological qualities of an officer and options for how to handle the teens and need for good interaction skills. The officer should note the cooperation of the boys, and the community association's position to just have the boys leave. The officer can take no action, write up the incident and release the boys to their parents, arrest the boys for trespassing (but because the community association just wants them to leave, students should recognize this would be overzealous), or issue a warning (also a bit harsh given the community association's position).