Ethics, dilemmas, discretion, and issues facing these factors are at the core root of many criminal justice related decisions. Outside the criminal justice field, ethical decisions may affect an organization's division or the entire company, but within the criminal justice field, ethical decisions can and do affect thousands of people and can change policies, procedures, and even case law. Everyone has their own personal beliefs and values, and those beliefs and value affect their discretion and decisions. The central issue in this scenario addresses common challenges officers face regarding decision making and discretion.

You are a police officer for the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department assigned to the traffic unit. Your daily duties are to enforce the traffic laws, remind those you stop about the importance of traffic safety, and investigate traffic$-$related crimes and auto accidents. Your chief has assigned you to enforce the speed limit on Hill Street and Locust Ave. This is a busy downtown area with heavy pedestrian traffic at this intersection. Your chief has received dozens of complaints regarding excessive speeding in this area.

Let's review two concepts before you make a decision about this scene.

What are broad social questions, often concerning the government's social control mechanisms and the impact on those governed?