Interagency Partnerships
Course
Principles of
LPSCS
Unit VII
Interagency
Collaboration
Essential
Question
What are the
roles and
responsibilities
or first
responders?
TEKS
§130.292(c)
(6)(A)(B)(C)(D)
Prior Student
Learning
none
Estimated Time
1 hour
Rationale
Each agency in the criminal justice system relies on one or more other
agencies to proceed through the criminal justice system. Some of these
agencies work in connection with each other, while others work in sequence
with each other. Interagency cooperation is essential to the system working
smoothly.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of police, fire, emergency medical services,
courts, corrections, and security systems working together to protect
the public.
2. Explain the roles and responsibilities of first responders.
3. Identify jurisdictional problems that may arise as multiple agencies
work together.
4. Differentiate the roles of private security and public law enforcement
agencies.
Engage
List “Police,” “Fire,” and “Emergency Medical Services (EMS)” on the board,
and have students brainstorm the duties and responsibilities of each
category. This exercise is to assess the knowledge students have about the
roles and responsibilities of each. Once the students have taken 5-10
minutes to brainstorm, review the list. Add the actual roles and
responsibilities of each to the list as needed. Use the Discussion Rubric for
assessment.
Key Points
I. First Responder Partnerships – each of the agencies function
independent of the others, but are all interconnected in some of their
duties.
A. Respond to 911 calls
B. Provide emergency medical care
C. Put out and/or investigate fires
D. Block traffic
E. Transportation to medical facilities
F. Investigate health/perform well-being calls
G. Respond to death investigations/crime scenes
II. Courts
A. The court system can only function on a criminal level once
someone has had contact with police (law enforcement).
B. The violator must either receive a Class C ticket or be arrested for a
Class B misdemeanor or higher prior to enter into the criminal court
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system.
C. Therefore, law enforcement and courts work in sequence with one
another.
III. Corrections
A. The court system must make a disposition on the charges before a
violator can be passed on for sentencing in the correctional system.
B. The correctional system is comprised of several different types of
systems, ranging from community supervisions to jails and prisons.
IV. Security Systems
A. Security systems range from monitored equipment to armed and
unarmed personnel responsible for securing private property.
B. Many times, law enforcement relies on security systems already in
place to help piece the first elements of the offenses together.
V. Roles and Responsibilities of First Responders
A. Police
1. Respond to all 911 calls not specifically directed to fire or EMS
2. Preventative patrols
3. Enforce criminal laws
4. Enforce traffic violations
5. Make referrals to community service organizations
6. Provide legal counseling
7. Babysit
8. Animal control
9. Secure crime scenes
10. Process crime scenes
11. Conduct investigations
B. Fire
1. Respond to all 911 calls relating to traffic accidents, medical
issues, or fires
2. Fight fires
3. Provide emergency medical care
4. Conduct fire investigations
5. Provide safety inspections
6. Respond to hazardous materials spills
C. EMS
1. Respond to all 911 calls relating to medical issues, or as
needed by Fire or Police
2. Assess the patients need for medical treatment
3. Provide emergency medical care
4. Transport patients to medical facilities
5. Assists Police and Fire on 911 calls
VI. Jurisdictional Problems – there are many problems that arise when
multiple agencies work together. Several of those problems are detailed
below:
A. Non-uniform operating procedures – not all agencies have
operating procedures for all situations. Local, state, and federal
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B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
agencies may all have different standards with which they handle a
particular situation
Conflicts of interest – sometimes different agencies have different
agendas or reasons for getting involved in a situation. There may
also be the involvement of upper management, such as a chief who
also serves on the city council. This can create conflicts of interest
among agencies.
Jurisdictional jealousy – many times there are several different
agencies that all share the same jurisdictions. Unfortunately,
sometimes “turf wars” occur over who has jurisdiction. The same
event can occur among differing levels of agencies, such as when a
federal agency gets involved in a local case.
Lack of Resources – smaller agencies may not have the same
budget or resources that larger agencies have and, therefore,
cannot provide the same kind of services.
Differing priorities – there may be several crimes that have
occurred that have spanned both state and federal jurisdictions.
Each agency involved is going to have a different priority for
handling that case.
Misunderstanding of jurisdictions – agencies, such as school district
police departments or special police, often have broad jurisdictions.
Other agencies who do not understand those broadened
jurisdictions may be reluctant to let the special agencies handle a
case in what they believe is “their” jurisdiction.
Not sharing information – many times there is a reluctance to share
material between agencies, even for relevant reasons. Some
agencies are very territorial regarding information that could be
shared and that would benefit both agencies.
VII. Private Security vs. Law Enforcement
A. Private security is responsible for protecting private property or
individuals.
B. Law Enforcement is responsible for protecting the public.
C. Each has a valuable role in the criminal justice system, but both
serve a different function.
Activities
Police Scenarios – Divide the students into groups and provide each group
with a scenario. Have the students discuss which agency would be
responsible for responding and how they would resolve the situation. A
captain may be designated for each group to present the collaborative
resolution. Use the Presentation Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Interagency Partnerships Exam and Key
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Research Rubric
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Materials
Interagency Partnership computer-based presentation
Police Scenario handouts
White board/chalk board
Resources
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
(TCLEOSE) Training
Officer’s Personal Experience
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, have the students research the job qualifications of
private security officers vs. law enforcement. They should also include the
salaries of each. Use the Research Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, have the students create a flow chart of the justice system.
The chart should include entry into the system through the entire court
system and the correctional system. Use the Individual Work Rubric for
assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
130.292 Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security (One-Half
to One Credit)
(6) The student recognizes the importance of interagency cooperation. The
student is expected to:
(A) Discuss the importance of police, fire, emergency medical services
(ems), court, corrections, and security systems working together to
protect the public.
(B) Explain the role and responsibilities of first responders
(C) Identify jurisdictional problems that may arise as multiple agencies
work together
(D) Differentiate the roles of private security and public law enforcement
agencies
College and Career Readiness Standards
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
I. Key Cognitive Skills
B. Reasoning
1. Consider arguments and conclusions of self and others.
2. Construct well-reasoned arguments to explain phenomena,
validate conjectures, or support positions.
C. Problem solving
1. Analyze a situation to identify a problem to be solved.
2. Develop and apply multiple strategies to solving a problem.
3. Collect evidence and data systematically and directly relate to
solving a problem.
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Interagency Partnership Scenarios
Scenario 1
You are dispatched to check out a suspicious person in the park. It is midnight and the caller
says they heard screaming coming from the park as well.
You arrive at the park to find a naked male climbing in a tree. He climbs higher as you
approach and begins screaming nonsense.
Which agency or agencies should respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
Once you figure out how to get him down, you realize that he is intoxicated on PCP.
Scenario 2
You are dispatched to the local supermarket. Loss Prevention officers have a female in custody
for theft over $50. The call text states that the female has 2 prior convictions. The suspect
caused one of the loss prevention officers to fall and scrape his knee while she was attempting
to run out the door with the merchandise.
What agency or agencies would respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
Scenario 3
You are dispatched to Anyplace High School. The call text states that there is a female student,
approximately 15 years of age, outside with a gun. When you arrive she is standing at the top
of the stairs, next to the front door. You see another person slumped on the steps at her feet.
She is about to enter the school. You can see the gun in her hand.
What agency or agencies would respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
Scenario 4
A woman goes to wake her baby up from a nap, but finds the baby is not breathing and is blue.
She attempts to revive the child without success. She calls 911 for help. Earlier in the morning,
the baby fell off the bed onto its head.
What agency or agencies would respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
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Scenario 5
A 911 call is received by Rachel. She states that she talked to her brother, John, yesterday,
and he sounded very down. She said that he had mentioned that he didn’t want to live
anymore. She tried calling him this morning but got no answer. She called his job and was told
he didn’t come to work today. She even drove by his house and found his car in the driveway,
but did not get an answer at the door. She is asking for someone to check on him. John has a
history of suicide attempts.
Which agency or agencies would respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
Scenario 6
A 911 call comes in, stating that the top floor of the Anyplace Apartments, building #5, has
orange flames and black smoke coming from the roof top. The caller can hear an alarm going
off in the background. The caller does not yet hear sirens. There are several people outside
the building who are covered with black soot and are coughing.
What agency or agencies would respond?
What do you do to resolve the situation?
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Interagency Partnership Scenarios Key
Scenario 1
Police, Fire, EMS
Police would initially be sent to the call. However, there might be some desire to call the fire
department to help get the suspect down from the tree. Once you realize that the suspect is
intoxicated, or he falls from the tree, EMS will be needed to tend to him medically.
Scenario 2
Police
This is a criminal violation so police would be sent to handle the call. However, depending on
the severity of the loss prevention officer’s knee, EMS may also be sent.
Scenario 3
Police, EMS
Police would receive the call due to the criminal violation. However, because we possibly have a
victim, EMS would also be sent to the scene to provide medical care in the event that there are
one or more victims.
Scenario 4
EMS
The call would initially go to EMS. Once on the scene, EMS would make attempts to revive the
child. Eventually police will be contacted if EMS or medical personnel feels there are suspicious
circumstances surrounding the child’s medical condition.
Scenario 5
Police, Fire
This would initially be a police call for a welfare check. If the police could not make contact with
the person and believe there is a legitimate medical need, the fire department may then be
called to force entry into the house for welfare purposes only. There must be reasoning behind
the need for entry. If the person who is the object of the welfare check is located, the need for
EMS will be evaluated.
Scenario 6
Fire, police and EMS
Fire will probably be the first responder, unless a police unit was nearby. EMS would be called
either by police or fire, whichever first identifies victims that need medical attention.
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Name:________________________
_
Date:_______
___________________
Interagency Partnerships Exam
1.
Which of the following is not a first responder?
A. Security system
B. Police
C. Fire
D. EMS (Emergency Medical Service)
2.
A first responder might have to provide emergency medical services,
respond to death investigations, or block traffic.
A. True
B. False
3.
Which of the following comes before an individual can appear in court on
criminal charges?
A. The individual must be convicted of the charges
B. The individual is sentenced to prison
C. The individual must be issued a class C ticket or arrested on
misdemeanor/felony charges
D. The individual is sentenced to probation
4.
The court’s role is to dispose of criminal charges. A person cannot have
contact with the court without first being contacted by_______________?
A. EMS
B. Fire
C. Police
D. Security systems
5.
The Court system is the gateway for which of the other branches in the
criminal justice system?
A. Police
B. Fire
C. EMS
D. Corrections
6.
Which of the following is not a sentencing option from a guilty verdict in
the court?
A. Probation
B. Jail
C. Not Guilty
D. Prison
7.
The purpose of a security system is to monitor private property.
A. True
B. False
8.
Which of the following is not a form of a security system?
A. Armed personnel
B. Unarmed personnel
C. Equipment for monitoring
D. Police officer
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9.
First responders are interconnected with each other to serve and protect
the public.
A. True
B. False
10.
The role of the police includes all but which of the following duties?
A. Babysitting
B. Sentencing offenders
C. Enforcing criminal and traffic laws
D. Processing crime scenes
11.
Fire fighters may have to complete all but which of the following duties?
A. Fight fires
B. Animal control
C. Provide emergency medical care
D. Conduct fire investigations
12.
The role of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) includes providing
immediate medical care, transporting patients to medical facilities, and assessing
patients’ needs as necessary.
A. True
B. False
13.
One of the problems with different agencies working within the same
jurisdiction includes uniform operating procedures.
A. True
B. False
14.
Multi-agency inter-jurisdictional problems also include jurisdictional
jealousy.
A. True
B. False
15.
Private security officers hold arrest powers.
A. True
B. False
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Interagency Partnership Exam Key
1. A
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. B
11. B
12. A
13. B
14. A
15. B
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
12
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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