It means the police officer has a choice. example: a police officer pulls you over for a minor traffic violation (not stopping at a stop sign) he has a choice of whether to give you a ticket or a warning (written or verbal). This is called discretion. Another example would be urinating in public, the officer uses his/her discretion on whether or not to make an arrest or just issue a ticket violation. Police don't have discretion in all circumstances. Law and departmental policy can limit or eliminate discretion. For example, if an officer witnesses a felony, law requires the officer arrest the suspect. And, departmental policy might require an officer issue citations for all seat belt violations.
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The noun forms of the adjective 'discreet' are discreetness and discretion.
In 2007 there were 1584 sworn officers of all ranks on the Cleveland Police Department.
As of August of 2009, the sworn staff of the Anchorage Police Department was 561 officers, of all ranks.
The word "police" is plural and it takes a plural verb.
station, as in police station.