Abstract:
Police discretionary decision making is expanding in several areas, including in roles which are
primarily judicial in nature. This development is documented and analysed within this thesis,
with a particular focus upon discretionary deferred charging and prosecution. To undertake this
research it was necessary to define its parameters, determine whether a 'problem' exists within
this area and, if so, the magnitude of 'the problem', and consider factors which may contribute
to its cause and effect. The conclusion reached is that there is a problem, and a model is proposed
to bring about positive change.
Within this thesis, the police as an organisation is conceptualised as an apparatus which is closely
affiliated with mechanisms for societal control. A major theme which pervades this work is that
external and internal factors have a strong influence on police discretionary decisions. Close
attention is given to adverse affects which may be experienced by certain identified groups
within society, such as Maori.
