CRIJ 2328 - Police Systems & Practice

CRIJ 2328:

Description
This course examines the establishment, role and function of police in a democratic society. It will focus on types of police agencies and their organizational structure, police-community interaction, police ethics, and use of authority.
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3 Lab Hours 0
Extended Hours
0
Contact Hours
48
State Approval Code
43.0104.57 24
Alternate Operations During Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.

Class Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.

Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date. 

When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences: 

Fall or spring semesters: 

3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences

2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences

1 class meeting per week -  2 absences

The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.

Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.  

Pregnant/Parenting Policy

Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course Policy

Broader use of Generative AI permitted within the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including ChatGPT, is permitted in this course for students who wish to use it. Students must cite AI-generated material that informs their work. Using an AI tool to generate content without proper attribution qualifies as academic dishonesty.

Instructional Goals and Purposes

The purpose of this course is to:

  1. The student will have knowledge of the organizational structure of police departments.
  2. The student will learn the police role in the criminal justice system.
  3. The student will learn police ethics and the necessity of good police community relation.
Learning Outcomes

After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the types of police agencies and explain the role of police in America within the context of a democratic society.
  2. Describe means and methods utilized to ensure police accountability.
  3. Explain the historical development of policing.
  4. Describe the selection process for police officers.
  5. Compare and contrast organizational structures, policies, strategies and tactics employed to ensure police effectiveness, efficiency and equity.
Course Content

A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus.

Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:

  1. The Historical Development of the American Law Enforcement
  2. The Recruiting, Selection, and Training For Police Applicants
  3. Police Patrol Tactics and Strategies
  4. Community Oriented Policing Philosophy and Techniques
  5. History and Development of Forensic Science and Criminalistics
  6. Stress and Issues Related to Law Enforcement
  7. Principles of Rule of Law and the Focus on Constitutional Limitations
  8. Character, Ethics, and Qualities That Are the Foundation of Law Enforcement
  9. Civil Liability for Law Enforcement Officers
  10. Federal and State Law Enforcement Organizational Structures
  11. Police Administrative Functions and Structure
  12. Terrorism, Organized Gangs, and Illicit Drug Use; Enforcement Issues and Strategies
  13. Immigration, hate Crimes, Mentally Ill, Youth Crimes, Homelessness and other Related Issues
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery

This course is offered in online, face-to-face, and/or Hybrid formats. For the traditional classroom course, teaching approaches are expected to vary with individual instructors who should employ those techniques that work best for them and their students. Although lecture and reading assignments are the primary forms of delivery, other instructional methods may involve classroom discussion, student presentations and lectures, audio-visual instruction, invited speakers, critical thinking activities, in class writing exercises designed to stimulate critical thinking, and group activities. Distance learning is also available for students who cannot attend lectures and who are capable of the amount of self-direction and discipline required to complete such a course. Reading the materials, communication via email, and on-line discussion are some of the methods used for distance learning.

Assignments

1. Exams

2. Tests

3. Quizzes

4. Internet Assignments

5. Journal Assignments

6. Library Assignments

7. Written Assignments

8. Attendance

9. Class Participation/Discussion

10. Class Preparedness

Assessments

1. Students must demonstrate their mastery of the course objectives by scoring 70% or better on Test 1. 2. Students must demonstrate their mastery of the course objectives by scoring 70% or better on Test 2. 3. Students must demonstrate their mastery of the course objectives by scoring 70% or better on Test 3. 4. Students must demonstrate their mastery of the course objectives by scoring a 70% or better on a written assignment.

5. Students must demonstrate their mastery of the course objectives by scoring a 70% or better on a comprehensive Final Exam.

6. Student semester grades are calculated in accordance with the Course Grade weights as listed below. The student is considered to have mastered the course objectives if the student has a final semester grade of 70% or higher.

7. Eligible students are asked to complete a Ride Along with an acceptable law enforcement agency to compose the written assignment at the end of the semester.

Course Grade

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

  • Test 1 – 20% (proctored)
  • Test 2 – 20% (proctored)
  • Test 3 – 20% (proctored)
  • Chapter Quizzes – at the end of the semester, the chapter quiz average will substitute for Test 1, 2, or 3 grade provided the quiz average is higher than the lowest test 1, 2, or 3 grade. The quiz average constitutes all assigned quizzes, not just completed quizzes.
  • Discussion Participation – Discussion Topics are a requirement of this course. Students may receive up to 5 points for Discussion, based on the subjective scoring of the Professor. The Discussion points will then be added back to the Quiz grade from the related chapter.
  • Written Assignment – 15% (submitted via Canvas or current LMS)
  • Final Exam – 25% (proctored)

For shortened semesters, i.e. Winter Term, Summer 1, and/or Summer 2 when time and testing facility hours are modified, the grading scale is modified as follows:

Mid Term – 30% (proctored)
Final Exam – 30% (proctored)
Quiz Average – 25%
Written Assignment – 15% (for shortened semesters, there is no Prison Field Trip – all students receive the Alternate Assignment).

Subjective grading – in circumstances where student grades are borderline and the issue of rounding the grade up comes into question, the professor may consider your classroom attendance record, your class participation level, and/or your perceived preparedness level for class in determining to round up or not.

Texts Materials, and Supplies

An Introduction to Policing, 9th Edition, Dempsey/Frost/Carter, Cengage.

Required Readings
  • An Introduction to Policing, 9th Edition, Dempsey/Frost/Carter, Cengage.
  • Links and/or Materials provided within the Canvas course
Other
This course counts as part of the academic requirements of the Panola College Core Curriculum and an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree
No