UNION INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Management
CJM 409
(4.00 units)
Spring/Summer Session 1
First Class: Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Florida Academic Center
Hollywood Police Department
3250 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, Florida
Instructor name:
DANZELL BROOKS, M.S.
Contact information:
(954) 203-2839
danzell.brooks@myunion.edu
Course Description
This course presents a comprehensive management perspective and overview of contemporary
issues and problems associated with the criminal justice system. The course provides an in-depth
examination of current and vital issues in criminal justice such as current research trends, policy
development, implementation and review, liability issues, personnel as well as political and ethical
obligations involving social justice.
Learning Outcomes & Competencies
University Outcomes and Competencies
 COMMUNICATION: Express and interpret ideas clearly, using a variety of written, oral
and/or visual forms
Competencies:
1. Construct coherent, organized expression appropriate to a variety of disciplines
and audiences
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2. Apply the basic mechanics of language (syntax, grammar, punctuation, and
spelling) effectively
CRITICAL & CREATIVE THINKING: Use different modes of disciplinary and
interdisciplinary inquiry to explore ideas and issues from multiple perspectives
Competencies:
1. ASSESS ideas, research, and/or theories presented by others
2. SYNTHESIZE multiple perspectives into a coherent understanding of a
problem, issue, or question
3. GENERATE alternative questions, interpretations, or approaches within an
established discipline field of inquiry.
SOCIAL & GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Articulate a perspective on power in the world and
one’s own place in the global community
Competencies:
1. Analyze social issues involving individuals, communities, and institutions
from different disciplinary perspectives
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2. Demonstrate an understanding of the world in sets of interactive and
interrelated systems
Major Outcomes
 Compare and contrast contemporary techniques for supervision, leadership, and
administration within a criminal justice organization;
 Summarize and interpret how current issues in the field of criminal justice impact
organizations, personnel and other stakeholders;
 Analyze and critique criminal justice policy and service delivery from a management point
of view;
Course Specific Competencies
 From a management perspective, identify social and global contemporary issues in criminal
justice;
 Identify the ethical issues and dilemmas created by these contemporary issues;
 Compare and contrast various global, community, organizational, and individual responses
to contemporary issues in criminal justice;
 Assess the intended and unintended consequences of criminal justice policies developed in a
response to contemporary issues in criminal justice;
Course Outline:
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Global Issues Impacting Criminal Justice Management
Globalization of Crime
Internal and External Issues in Criminal Justice Organizations
Managing Issues in a Post-911 World
Assessment
The student will write a ten-page, research paper, utilizing the APA format on a contemporary issue
topic selected by the student and approved by the instructor.
CALENDAR
In class meeting dates:
May 7, 2014
May 14, 2014
May 28, 2014
June 11, 2014
June 25, 2014
TEXTBOOK
Lacher, D. (2014). “Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Management:” Cognella Books, San
Diego, ISBN: 978-1-62611-745-2
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The NEW book beginning Winter I is:
Lacher, Don. “Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Management, (2014), Cognella Books, San
Diego. ISBN: 978-1-62661-745-2
The book is available direct from the publisher. It will not be available on Amazon or Barnes and
Noble until after January, 2014. Please inform your students to order the book from the publisher if
they are taking 409 in the future.
Cognella Books
Step 1: Log onto https://students.universityreaders.com/store/
Step 2: Create an account to purchase or reserve the book. If you have an existing account, log in
and click “Account” link
Step 3: Under Institution Information, select “On-Line Learning” for your state/location, and
“Union Institute and University” for your institution. You should be immediately directed to the
book listing. If you do not find the book, click on “Purchase Materials” in the upper right corner of
the screen and you should be directed to the book listing.
Step 4: Easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through the rest of the ordering process.
Payment can be made with all major credit cards
Journal Article
United Nations Office of Drug Control, (2010). “The Globalization of Crime: A Transnational
Organized Threat Assessment”. United Nations, Vienna.
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/tocta-2010.html
Tofya, W., (November 2011). “Cyber Terror”, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Volume 80, Number
11, Washington D.C. (provided by the instructor).
Additional Research Resources:
National Institute of Justice Journal site
CIA World Fact Book website
The Writing Center
Union Institute & University Writing Center offers self-help resources and free one-on-one writing
support sessions for students. Self-help resources are located at http://www.myunion.edu/writingcenter/index.html. Appointments for writing center sessions by telephone can be scheduled for
daytime, weekends and evenings.
Join the Writing Center Campus Web to request an appointment on-line or contact the Writing
Center directly:
513-487-1156 (toll free: 1-800-681-6400 Ex. 1156)
writing-center@myunion.edu
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ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignment #1 – Globalization of Crime Research Paper (Assessment)
 Select a contemporary topic in globalization of crime
 Utilizing the journal article plus three other sources, write a ten (10) page, APA formatted
research paper. Your topic needs to be approved by the instructor.
 The cover and reference pages do NOT count toward the ten (10) page assignment
 Include a cover page, reference page, and footnotes or endnotes
 An abstract is required in this paper
 Assess the intended and unintended consequences of criminal justice policies in response to
your topic. What impact does your issue have on organizational management?
 Photographs inserted in your paper will enhance your grade.
Electronic Portfolio
Effective, January 1, 2014 (Winter I), ALL new CJM students admitted to the program will be
required to follow this revised policy, to meet their culminating graduate requirement.
In this new policy, students will upload their assessment papers from all five core courses in the
assignment section of their course shell. The core courses include, CJM 303, CJM 306, CJM 307,
CJM 409, and CJM 410. The policy will remain in effect until otherwise notified. The student
will code all papers as:
Union ID number last name CJM course number, for example:
12345SmithCJM409
Assignment #2– Funeral Policy for Officers who have Committed Suicide
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Acting as the head of your organization, write a one-page funeral policy for officers who
commit suicide. Include a 500 word cover memorandum explaining your reasoning for your
policy decision. This assignment is single-spaced.
Assignment #3 – Marijuana Department Policy
Design and write a one (1) page policy and one (1) page staff report – select one topic for this
assignment
 Assuming marijuana is legal or was just legalized in your state;
 Write a drug-free work policy for your organization if marijuana is, or was legalized in your
state - OR
 A pre-employment drug testing policy for your organization if marijuana is or was legalized
in your state
 Identify and examine ethical issues and dilemmas created by this issue in the staff report.
The staff report will be addressed to you instructors who is it city manager, county
supervisor, or board of corrections.
 Utilize the policy format from your organization
 This assignment is single-spaced.
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Assignment #4 – Officer Joint Case Study
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In this exercise the student is functioning as either the chief of police, fire chief, public
works director, human resource director, or corrections chief. You may adjust Joint’s
position to coincide with your career path.
To avoid any confusion do NOT use the name of your department on this document. We all
work at either the City of Anytown, the Fictitious County, or State of Andora, Board of
Corrections
The facts of the case will remain the same.
The student will write a two-page (single-spaced) document to the law firm of Lacher and
Lacher. This firm is representing your organization in the civil suit filed by Joint and the
victim’s husband. In this document, you will identify and analyze the ethical dilemmas you
faced in your decision to terminate Officer Joint. In addition, you will evaluate intended and
unintended consequences of your actions as the department head.
Assignment #5 – Collaboration Forum Discussion Questions
The Instructor will post a discussion question in the Collaboration Forum on weeks 3, 5, and 7.
Students are required to thoroughly respond to each discussion question posted by the Instructor.
Students should also respond to their fellow-learners’ posts as well. This will be counted towards
your participation grade.
Participation:
Attending class is very important. Five participation points will be granted for each class attended
combined with short essay or other assignments selected by the instructor. Your instructor will
examine how the participation points are granted.
Evaluation
 Each assignment will be graded independently
 Grades assigned will be A, B, C, D or U
 U is considered a failing grade
 Incompletes will be issued according to University policy at the request of the student
 ALL assignments must be completed to pass the course
-OR-
100-90= A grade (Outstanding)
89-80= B grade (Excellent)
79-70= C grade (Average-passing)
Below 70 points is an Unsatisfactory or failing grade
Participation/Attendance/Interaction
The instructor understands the demands of law enforcement and the student may be required to miss
one or more class sessions. Extra work will be offered to students missing one class meeting only.
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Missing additional class meetings will result in the loss of points and/or a grade reduction at the
discretion of the instructor. For catastrophic issues such as a work injury or long term illness
options are available if necessary. KEEP ME INFORMED.
Attending class and/or the collaboration forum discussions are important. Failing to do so, may
result in the loss of points or a grade level when the final grade is calculated.
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS
Out of consideration for others in the class, please turn off or place your devices on the silent or
vibrate mode. These items tend to distract the other students when they ring during class.
USE OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM
The instructor encourages students to bring and use their laptop computers in the class if they so
desire. However, please keep the usage appropriate to the academic decorum of the class.
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DEPARTURE
Late arrival and early departure may constitute a loss of participation points at the discretion of the
instructor.
LATE WORK
Late work will not earn the full points possible. Work turned in up to one week late will earn 10
points less. Work submitted more than one week late will not be counted.
COURSE SCHEDULE
In the Flex Schedule Format the class will meet five times in the 8-week session and the student
will have three sessions when the class does not meet to conduct research, write papers, and prepare
discussion material.
Week One/In Person
May 7, 2014-First Class Meeting
Class discussion: Identification of contemporary issues impacting law enforcement/corrections and
the criminal justice field.
Reading/ Skim: United Nations Office of Drug Control, (21010). “The Globalization of Crime: A
Transnational Organized Threat Assessment”. United Nations, Vienna.
 Watch the film Ted Talks: “Misha Glenny Investigating Global Crime Networks
 Based on your reading and from a management perspective, write a 1,000 word essay on the
Globalization of Crime – DUE IN CLASS ON WEEK 2
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Week Two/In Person
May 14, 2014- Class Meeting
Readings: Read Chapters 1 and 2 in Lacher before this class meeting
 Selection of your globalization of crime issue – Assignment #1
 Submit a one (1) page summary DUE THIS WEEK
o Title of your paper
o Three Internet or other sources
o Identify and bullet point three key elements of your issue
 Prepare to discuss three key elements of your issue during this class meeting
 Watch the film “Managing Change in Large Organization (2008), #40231, Films on
Demand, 29 minutes, located on the course shell in Campus Web
Be prepared to discuss this topic per the instructions provided by your faculty member.
Evaluate organizational changes your agency has made to effectively deliver services to your
customers.
 Submit a 500 word essay to your instructor due this week
Week Three /Tutorial
May 21, 2014- No Class Meeting
Readings: Chapter 3, 4 and 5, in Lacher
 Watch the film “Suicide and the Police Officer” (1992), #3103, Films on Demand, 39
minutes, located on the course shell in Campus Web.
Examine the fiscal impacts that the current economic crisis has had on your organization.
 Prepare a list for four impacts and write a 500 word essay on the topic. The essay will
be submitted to your instructor per the instructor’s instructions.
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Acting as the head of your organization, write a one-page funeral policy for officers
who commit suicide. Include a 500 word cover memorandum explaining your
reasoning for your policy decision. DUE WEEK 4
Week Four/In Person
May 28, 2014-Class Meeting
Class discussion on Economic Impacts, Police Suicide, and Community Corrections
Funeral policy Assignment #2 DUE
Week Five/Tutorial
Readings: Chapter 6 in Lacher
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June 54, 2014- No Class Meeting
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Watch the film, “Human Trafficking: Crime Inc., the Underground Economy,” (2011),
#47318, Films on Demand, 43 minutes, located on the course shell in Campus Web.
From a management perspective, prepare a 1,000 word press release on the discovery
of a human trafficking incident in your jurisdiction. Submit this assignment based on
the instructions from your instructor. Analyze and defend the actions you and the
immigration authorities took in this event.
In this assignment you will create the facts of the incident.
Prepare Assignment #3 – Legalization of Marijuana policy and staff report
Week Six/In Person
June 11, 2014- Class Meeting
Reading: Chapter 7 in Lacher
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Watch the film: “Breaking the Taboo, Have We Lost the War on Drugs?” (2012),
#53283, Films on Demand, 52 minutes, located on the course shell in Campus Web.
You have been selected as the new drug enforcement coordinator for your county or
state. From a management perspective write a 1,000 word, single-spaced briefing
paper, comparing and contrasting the Afghan heroin trade with that of the South
American cocaine trade. You audience are the sheriff and chiefs of police in your
county
Assignment #1 (Assessment): CONTEMPORARY ISSUE PAPER DUE THIS WEEK
Assignment #3: Marijuana Department Policy DUE
Week Seven/Tutorial
June 18, 2014- No Class Meeting
Readings: Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 in Lacher
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Compare and contrast heroin and cocaine trafficking paper due Week 8
Week Eight/In Person
June 25, 2014-Final Class Meeting
Readings: Chapter 10 and Cyber Terror journal article
 Watch the film “Cybercrime World Wide War 3.0” (2008), #40324, Films on Demand,
54 minutes
 This film was made in 2008. Based on the film, the readings and your own gut feelings,
write a 500 word forecast on methods of terror attacks the United States might face in
the future.
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This essay is due in Week 8 and your findings will be discussed in class.
Assignment #4: Officer Joint Case Study DUE
Ethics and Academic Honesty
Students should be aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic ethical
conduct. Primarily, we are concerned with cheating and plagiarism. Students who are determined to
have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary action as identified within UI&U ethics
policies. Refer to the Catalog for policies regarding Academic Integrity
http//www.myunion.edu/about/university-policies/academic-integrity.html
ADA
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UI&U is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of disability. Students may
request accommodations by filling out the disclosure of disabilities form on our
ADA website www.myunion.edu/ada where you may also obtain additional
information about services
No accommodations can be made without the approval from the ADA office so it is
important that you file this confidential information with the ADA office in the event you
eventually need services.
CHAIR approved:
ARC approved:
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January 2014
January 2014