Final answer:
Police discretion involves the power of law enforcement to decide whom to arrest; deviance and crime are connected, with labeling affecting the likelihood of reoffending; societal power dynamics influence crime and punishment.
Explanation:
Police discretion refers to the considerable power that the police have in deciding who to arrest based on their judgment and circumstances of the situation. This power allows law enforcement officers to make decisions on whether to arrest someone or handle a situation through other means, such as a warning or referral to a diversion program.
Deviance and crime are closely connected, as deviance refers to behaviors that violate societal norms, while crime is a behavior that breaks official laws and carries formal sanctions. Individuals labeled as deviant or criminals often face increased likelihood of reoffending due to stigmatization, arrest, and imprisonment.
Theories of power and its distribution in society, such as conflict theories, highlight how those in positions of power, like the Power Elite, can engage in Elite Crimes with little consequences, in contrast to crimes committed by the less privileged which are typically punished more severely.
Learn more about Police discretion and societal power dynamics here:
https://brainly.com/question/43634679
