Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Tamara Mouras

Abstract

The individuals who reside in military communities must abide by the rules of both the military and the civilian communities. When an individual is stopped for a traffic violation in a military community, their driver’s license is requested but the military- affiliated personnel often present their military identification card also. Some may expect leniency due to their military affiliation while others do not. However, there are no studies covering police discretion in a military community during traffic stops. Using social stratification theory, the purpose of this study was to understand officers’ perspectives on discretion during traffic stops and how their choices are made. During this qualitative single-subject case study, 17 police officers from four different jurisdictions surrounding a military base were interviewed based on the social stratification theory. The results of this analysis indicated that the police officers are given a limited amount of discretion which was supported by the written guidelines that suggested everyone is to be treated equally. The repeating themes that continued included discretionary decisions, policy guidelines enforcement, and the individual discretionary choices that officers make. Positive social changes dictated that impartiality is the equality of all regardless of gender, race, profession, or economic status.

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