THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
College of Professional Studies
Department of Justice Studies
CCJ 4931 Issues in Policing (3 credit hours)
Summer 2010
ONLINE
Professor:
Dr. Matthew Crow
E-mail:
mcrow@uwf.edu
NOTE: YOU MUST INCLUDE THE COURSE NAME IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF ALL
EMAILS TO THE PROFESSOR
Office Phone:
857-6371
Office:
Building 85 Room 153
Office Hours:
Tuesdays 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Wednesdays 11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., &
Online Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Graduate Assistant: Brittany Adrion – bla4@students.uwf.edu
Required Text:
Thurman, Q. C. and Giacomazzi, A. (2004). Controversies in Policing. Anderson Publishing
(ISBN:1-58360-552-5)
Additional Required Readings:
Additional required readings are provided in the “Content” section on the eLearning website for
this course. Students are required to read the assigned articles by Wednesday of each week.
Recommended Text:
Johnson, W. A., Rettig, R. P., Scott, G. M., and Garrison, S. M. (2005). The Criminal Justice
Student Writer’s Manual, 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. (ISBN: 0-13-124506-6)
Course Description:
This course is designed to familiarize students with some of the salient issues regarding
contemporary policing. Topics include police subculture, police and race and gender issues, use
of force, police ethics, and community policing.
Educational Goals:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of issues and
controversies in policing. Students will examine several policing issues through analysis of
contemporary research and writings. Through critical analysis, students will understand how
these issues shape the police role in society and the consequences of police policies and
practices.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Evaluate contemporary police research
 Develop critical reviews of police scholarship
 Analyze the impact of police practices on society
 Explain the influence of societal forces on policing
 Analyze the challenges to policing in a free society
Course Topics:
-Police subculture
-Community policing
-Police & race
-Police use of force
-Contemporary issues in policing
Grading/Evaluation:
Students’ grades will be based upon two Article Reviews worth 15% each, four Reaction
Postings worth 10% each, and an Annotated Bibliography worth 30%.
Grading Scale:
A = 93% and above
A- = 90-92%
B+= 88-89%
B = 83-87%
B- = 80-82%
C+ = 78-79%
C = 73-77%
C- = 70-72%
D+ = 68-69%
D = 63-67%
F = 62% and below
Article Reviews (30% of grade):
Each student is required to complete two (2) out of six (6) article reviews. The due date for each
article review is listed in the course schedule below. The review must be completed on the article
posted in elearning associated with that assignment (i.e. Article Review 1 must be conducted on
Hallett & Powell (1995)).
Criteria for Article Reviews: Each article review must include the following sections:
 Title Page
 Thesis: Explain the thesis (issue being investigated) of the article
 Methods: Briefly explain the methods the author used to investigate the issue
 Evidence: Discuss the evidence presented by the author(s). What were their findings?
 Evaluation: Discuss your evaluation of the article. What are the benefits of the article? Who
will benefit from reading it? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the article?
Papers should include a title page that includes the proper APA reference for the article (see
example in elearning). Each article review should be three (3) to four (4) double-spaced pages in
length (not counting title page). Use Times New Roman 12 point font and one inch margins.
Students are encouraged to consult The Criminal Justice Student Writer’s Manual, Chapter 7, for
additional assistance. Article reviews must be submitted as a Microsoft Word (.doc) or Rich
Text Format (.rtf) file to the appropriate drop-box on elearning by the submission deadline.
Reaction Postings (40% of grade):
Each student is required to submit four 400-600 word reaction postings to the appropriate
discussion forum on elearning. The reaction postings must be based upon readings other than
those for which you completed an article review. For example, if you complete Article Review 2
and Article Review 4, your reaction postings must be submitted during weeks 1, 3, 4, 6, or 7 and
be based on the readings from the corresponding week.
Criteria for Reaction Postings: Reaction postings should feature your critical reaction to a topic
or issue covered in the readings for that week. You should start by thinking about issues,
positions, or findings from the week’s readings that caught your attention, surprised you,
bothered you, or related to something currently happening in the news. The reaction posting
should include the following:
 A brief description of the issue
 A clear statement of your position on the issue
 A defense of your position
 A brief conclusion that sums up your position
IMPORTANT: Positions are not the same as opinions. Positions can be defended with evidence
and logical argumentation. Avoid using language such as: “I believe,” “I think,” “I feel.”
Annotated Bibliography (30% of grade):
Each student is required to complete an annotated bibliography that is due during the last week
of class. Students have been assigned to four articles about which they will write an annotated
bibliography. Consult the “Groups” link in elearning to establish which articles you are assigned.
Copies of the articles are located in the Content section of elearning. Following the title page, the
annotated bibliographies should consist of the following for each article:
 An APA citation of the article
 Annotations: In 250-500 words, describe and summarize each article. This summary should
include:
o A brief description of the issue that is the focus of the article
o The methods used to examine the issue
o The major findings of the article
o The conclusions made by the author(s)
Following all of the entries (i.e. the references and annotations), include a brief (100-200 word)
summary of what you learned from your articles.
For your protection:
For those of you working in the CJ system in some capacity, it is understood that your
statements, comments, and replies do not necessarily reflect your personal or professional beliefs
and practices or reflect your agency. All statements, comments, and replies in this course are for
educational purposes only and are to further and enhance the quality of the educational
experience.
Assistance:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related
accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), sdrc@uwf.edu,
850.474.2387. SDRC will send an email to the instructor that specifies any recommended
accommodations.
Disruptive Behavior:
Any member of the University community who intentionally acts to impair, interfere with, or
obstruct the mission, purposes, order, operations, processes, and/or functions of the University
shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities for disruptive
conduct, as described in the applicable rules and laws governing such actions. Disruptive
behavior includes, but is not limited to verbal abuse or threats directed to others in the classroom
and unprofessional conduct while “in class.”
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
Code of Student Conduct:
http://uwf.edu/trustees/procedures/documents/UWFREG3.01008282006StudentCodeofConduct.
pdf
Communication:
All UWF students have access to a free UWF email address and must use that e-mail address
throughout the course for all correspondence. Any necessary changes to the syllabus,
assignments, etc. will be distributed electronically through the UWF student email account or
will be announced in class. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she gets this
information.
Online Learning:
This course will require self-motivation and self-discipline. It requires that you keep up with the
readings and spend significant time analyzing the readings. If you do not understand something
in the readings, it is your responsibility to communicate that to the instructor. The primary way
to do so is through the discussion forum in elearning. In an online environment, I cannot tell if
you do not understand something unless you let me know. If you do not understand something, it
is likely that others may have the same issue. By bringing the question to the discussion forum,
we will be able to work together as a class to gain a better understanding.
Subject to Change:
This syllabus is subject to change as needed throughout the semester. If changes are necessary,
they will be announced in class and via email.
Course Schedule:
Week 1 – June 14-18
Introduction to Controversies in Policing
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 1:
Bouza, A. V. (2004). Controversies in policing before September 11, 2001. In Q. C. Thurman
& A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (3-10). Anderson Publishing.
 T & G Chapter 2:
Perkins, D. B. (2004). The order vs. freedom debate after September 11, 2001. In Q. C.
Thurman & A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (11-24). Anderson Publishing.
 T & G Chapter 3:
Kappeler, V. E. & Miller-Potter, K. S. (2004). Policing in the age of terrorism. In Q. C.
Thurman & A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (27-40). Anderson Publishing.
Assignments:
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. June 17
Week 2 – June 21-25
Police Subculture
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 5:
Crank, J. P. (2004). Police culture in a changing multicultural environment. In Q. C. Thurman
& A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (53-74). Anderson Publishing.
 Hallett, M. & Powell, D. (1995). Backstage with “Cops”: The dramaturgical reification of
police subculture in American crime “info-tainment.” American Journal of Police, 14, 101129.
Assignments:
Article Review 1 Due by 4:00 p.m. June 23
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. June 24
Week 3 – June 28-July 2
Community Policing
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 4:
Zhao, J., Scheider, M. C., & Thurman, Q. C. (2004). Community policing: Is it really soft on
crime? In Q. C. Thurman & A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (41-52).
Anderson Publishing.
 Roh, S. & Oliver, W. M. (2005). Effects of community policing upon fear of crime:
Understanding the causal linkage. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies &
Management, 28, 670-683.
Assignments:
Article Review 2 Due by 4:00 p.m. June 30
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. July 1
Week 4 – July 5-9
Race & Police
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 7:
Katz-Bannister, A. & Carter, D. L. (2004). Racial Profiling. In Q. C. Thurman & A.
Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (93-100). Anderson Publishing.
 Brown, R. A. & Frank, J. (2006). Race and officer decision making: Examining differences in
arrest outcomes between black and white officers. Justice Quarterly, 23, 96-126.
Assignments:
Article Review 3 Due by 4:00 p.m. July 7
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. July 8
Week 5 – July 12-16
Gender & Police
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 8:
Hale, D. C., & Finkenbinder, K. J. (2004). “As time goes by:” The expansion of women’s roles
in police work. In Q. C. Thurman & A. Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (93-100).
Anderson Publishing.
 Rabe-Hemp, C. (2008). Survivial in an “all boys club”: Policewomen and their fight for
acceptance. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 31, 251270.
Assignments:
Article Review 4 Due by 4:00 p.m. July 14
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. July 15
Week 6 – July 19-23
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 9:
Police Misconduct
Pollock, J. M. (2004). Ethical issues in policing. In Q. C. Thurman & A. Giacomazzi (Eds.),
Controversies in Policing (93-100). Anderson Publishing.
 Ruiz, J. & Bono, C. (2004). At what price a “freebie”? The real cost of police gratuities.
Criminal Justice Ethics, 23, 44-54.
Assignments:
Article Review 5 Due by 4:00 p.m. July 21
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. July 22
Week 7 – July 26-30
Police Use of Force
Readings:
 T & G Chapter 6:
Liederbach, J. & Taylor, R. W. (2004). Police use of deadly force. In Q. C. Thurman & A.
Giacomazzi (Eds.), Controversies in Policing (77-92). Anderson Publishing.
 Lersch, K. M., Bazley, T., Mieczkowski, T., & Childs, K. (2008). Police use of force and
neighbourhood characteristics: An examination of structural disadvantage, crime, and
resistance. Policing & Society, 18, 282-300.
Assignments:
Article Review 6 Due by 4:00 p.m. July 28
Reaction Posting Due by 4:00 p.m. July
Week 8 – August 2-6
Use of Force Annotated Bibliographies
Readings:
Annotated Bibliography Articles
Assignments:
Annotated Bibliography Due by 4:00 p.m. August 4