Type 3 conflicts refer to conflicts between norms. Which category does this describe?

• A. Type 1
• B. Type 2
• C. Type 3
• D. Excessive force

Answer: (C)

Conflicts between norms occur when two normative rules pull you toward incompatible actions in the same situation. Type 3 is the category that describes this exact situation: norms clashing with one another, so following one rule would violate another. In policing and society, this often means norms from different sources (like laws, department policies, and professional ethics) oppose each other, requiring you to prioritize or balance them. For example, you might have a norm to preserve civil liberties and another norm that mandates certain enforcement actions in specific scenarios; resolving this type of conflict depends on applying a hierarchy of norms or context to determine which rule should govern in that moment.