Chicago Police Department (CPD) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPD Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct distinction lies in the focus of General and Specific Deterrence. General Deterrence is aimed at the general public, intending to discourage crime by signaling that negative consequences will follow criminal behavior. It serves to establish a societal norm where individuals, witnessing the punishment of others, are discouraged from engaging in similar illegal activities.

Conversely, Specific Deterrence is focused on the individual offender, specifically seeking to prevent that person from reoffending by imposing penalties that are meant to make an impression on them. It recognizes that the experience of punishment can instill a personal fear of future consequences, thus promoting rehabilitation and discouraging recidivism in that particular individual.

This distinction emphasizes the targets of the deterrent effects—wider society for General Deterrence and specific offenders for Specific Deterrence—clarifying their roles in the criminal justice system. The other options mistakenly interpret aspects of deterrence or misrepresent their applications.