THE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION
This course examines the evolution of police practices and the influence of social trends, crime, technology, interest groups and politics in shaping police goals and methods. Students will discuss the nature of police work in various settings, examine legal and practical constraints such as discretion, ambiguity, risk and uncertainty, review characteristics such as isolation, peer pressure and secrecy, and analyze the influence of workplace and subcultural factors on officer behavior and enforcement outcomes.
Required readings
1. "Critical Issues in Policing," 6th. Ed., Waveland Press, by Roger Dunham and Geoffrey Alpert.
2. Noted sections of Police Issues, the instructor's blog.
Exams
A midterm and a final, both non-cumulative. Exams test comprehension of themes and examples discussed in class, in the text and other readings, in videos, student presentations and the instructor's blog. Makeup exams may only be given for the midterm and only for a documented emergency. If you cannot take the midterm on the scheduled date, e-mail and leave a brief message so that we can make arrangements for a makeup. Please note: Makeup exams must be taken by the end of the week following the week in which the regular exam was administered.
Every exam is a required component of the course. Unexcused failure to take an exam, failure to take a makeup on schedule, or any instance of academic dishonesty will result in a course term grade of "F".
Each student will participate in a panel. Each panel member will make a presentation about 5 minutes in length, and will turn in a three-to-four page paper. For details please click on the above link.
Participating in a panel and making a presentation on the date scheduled are required components of the course. Failure to do so will result in failure of the course and a term grade of "F".
Grading*
100 points can be earned - 30 for each exam, 20 for the paper, 10 for the oral presentation and 10 for attendance, taken at the end of five randomly-chosen class sessionss (@2 pts.) Normally the A = 90, B = 80, etc. scheme is followed, except that scores may be adjusted ("curved") at the end of the term to reflect class performance. No extra credit assignments will be given.
* I do not use the +/- grading system.
Week no. - date - topic - readings
1 - 1/28 - Development of American policing - Chapters 1, 2
2 - 2/4 - Police role and subculture - Chapters 5, 6, 16 - MANDATORY MEETING TO ORGANIZE PANELS & SELECT TOPICS
3 - 2/11 - Police role and subculture, cont'd. - Police Issues selected posts (see weekly materials)
4 - 2/18 - Selection and training - Chapter 4 - Police Issues Resources, Selection & Training - LAST DAY FOR PANELS TO SECURE TOPIC APPROVAL
5 - 2/25 - Police organizations - Chapters 8, 10, 12, 13
6 - 3/4 - NO CLASS - furlough day - students confer on presentations
7 - 3/11 - MIDTERM EXAM - weeks 1-5
8 - 3/18 - ALL PANELS PREVIEW PRESENTATIONS - bring draft PowerPoints on a flash drive. Panels 1-7 meet with instructor during the first half of class, 8-14 during the second half.
9 - 3/25 - Policing paradigms - Chapters 22, 23, 24, 25 - Police Issues Strategy & Tactics - Panels 1 & 2 present
10 - 4/1 - NO CLASS - Spring break
11 - 4/8 - Policing paradigms - cont'd - Panels 3 & 4 present
12 - 4/15 - Special problems - Chapters 2, 15, 19 - Police Issues Strategy & Tactics & Terrorism - Panels 5 & 6 present
13 - 4/22 - Special problems - cont'd - Panels 7 & 8 present
14 - 4/29 - Ethics, accountability & misconduct - Chapters 16, 18 - Police Issues Conduct & Ethics - Panels 9 & 10 present
15 - 5/6 - Use of force - Chapters 26, 27, 28, 29 - Police Issues Use of Force - Panels 11 & 12 present
16 - 5/13 - Use of force, cont'd
17 - 5/20 - 7:30 pm - FINAL EXAM - weeks 9-16