Table 2.

Norms and attitudes influencing discretionary drug enforcement (4 ranked choices) (N = 259)

Rank	Factor	Mean position (SD)	95% Confidence interval
a. Normative values at work in making a discretionary arrest
1	Seriousness of the offense	1.38 (0.70)	1.30–1.47
2	If effective alternatives exist	2.65 (0.97)	2.53–2.77
3	The need for there to be consequences	2.97 (0.82)	2.87–3.07
4	Arrests should be made when laws are broken	3.00 (1.08)	2.86–3.13
b. Influence of the expectations of others in making a discretionary arrest
1	Expectations of supervisor(s)	1.90 (0.82)	1.80–2.00
2	Expectations of colleagues/peers	2.61 (0.95)	2.50–2.73
3	Expectations of friends/family	2.69 (0.98)	2.54–2.84
4	Expectations of community	2.80 (1.18)	2.65–2.94
c. Influence of situational factors in making a discretionary arrest
1	Attitude of the suspect	1.63 (0.71)	1.54–1.72
2	Personal sense of right and wrong	2.04 (1.02)	1.91–2.16
3	Suspect hasn’t learned their lesson yet	2.72 (0.84)	2.62–2.82
4	Personal factors (overtime/work schedule)	3.69 (0.69)	3.53–3.70