In what scenario would "discretionary power" most likely be utilized by a police officer?

Discretionary power refers to the ability of police officers to make choices based on their judgment in various situations. When deciding to arrest someone for a minor offense, an officer has the latitude to consider various factors such as the context of the situation, the behavior of the individual, and the severity of the offense. For instance, an officer may choose to issue a warning instead of making an arrest for a minor infraction, which reflects their use of discretion.

In contrast, the other options involve more defined procedures and responsibilities. Filing felony charges is typically determined by prosecutors based on evidence rather than the officer's discretion. Assigning cases to detectives is part of departmental processes and follows established guidelines, typically involving a supervisor’s oversight. Finally, judging the guilt or innocence of a suspect is reserved for the judicial system and is based on evidence presented in court, rather than the officer's personal discretion in the field.