Southern State Community College
LENF 101 – Introduction to Law Enforcement
Curriculum Committee – November 2003
Page 1 of 4
I.
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Law Enforcement
COURSE NUMBER: 101
II.
PREREQUISITE:
III.
CREDIT HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS:
IV.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CATALOG PREFIX: LENF
None
LECTURE HOURS: 3
OBSERVATION HOURS:
This course will explore the history, development, philosophy and current status of law
enforcement in America. The structure and varying functions of law enforcement officers
in the public and private sectors will be discussed. Police discretion, ethics, civil liability,
and community relations will be evaluated in order to analyze the sociological
implications of contemporary policing.
V.
ADOPTED TEXT:
Policing in America
Larry K. Gaines, Victor E. Kappeler and Joseph B. Vaughn
4th edition
Anderson Publishing Co., 2003
ISBN 1-58360-339-8
VI.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of this course the student will be able to:
1.
discuss the history and development of law enforcement in America.
2.
evaluate principles necessary for the effective administration of a police agency.
3.
list and explain three primary functions of police operations, citing specific
methods and techniques.
LENF 101 – Introduction to Law Enforcement
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VI.
VII.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Continued
4.
analyze the importance of police discretion, both positive and negative aspects,
and why police are often referred to as the Agatekeepers@ of the criminal justice
system.
5.
examine the sources of ethics and the influence of values in the law enforcement
profession.
GRADING:
Each student must obtain a grade of A, B, or C to successfully complete this course. The
grading scale will follow the policy in the college catalog.
A = 100 - 90
B = 89 - 80
C = 79 - 70
D = 69 - 60
F = 59 - 0 (Student must repeat the course)
VIII.
COURSE OUTLINE:
1)
The Evolution of Law Enforcement
A.
Early Policing (Roman Empire)
B.
English Influence
C.
American Policing (Colonial to Modern)
2)
Police Structure in America
A.
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
B.
State Law Enforcement Agencies
C.
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
D.
Private/Social Law Enforcement Agencies
3)
Becoming a Police Officer
A.
Recruitment and Selection
B.
Training
C.
Career Development
4)
The Police Organization
A.
Administration
B.
Supervision
C.
Specialized Divisions
LENF 101 – Introduction to Law Enforcement
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VIII.
IX.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Continued
5)
Policing Functions
A.
Law Enforcement: Methods and Techniques
B.
Investigations
C.
Community Relations
6)
Police Discretion
A.
Administrative and Enforcement Discretion
B.
Situational Variables
C.
Controlling Police Discretion
7)
The Police Culture
A.
Perspective on Behavior
B.
The Police Subculture
C.
Stress
8)
Ethics and Deviance
A.
Sources of Ethics
B.
Illegal/Deviant Behavior
C.
Use of Force
D.
Civil Liability
9)
Modern Policing: Issues and Dilemmas
A.
Community Policing
B.
Crime Prevention: Techniques & Programs
C.
Increase of Drugs, Guns and Violence
10)
The Future of Policing
A.
Political and Legal Considerations
B.
Technological Innovations
C.
Higher Education
OTHER REQUIRED BOOKS AND MATERIALS:
As assigned by the instructor.
X.
EVALUATION:
A mid-term and final examination will be provided. Each exam will represent 30% of the
final grade. Additional assignments and quizzes will constitute 30% of the final grade.
Attendance and class participation will account for 10% of the final grade.
LENF 101 – Introduction to Law Enforcement
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XI.
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Student Responsibilities: To meet the objectives of this course students must attend all
scheduled classes. Two class absences will be permitted; however, the third absence will
result in the loss of one letter grade of a student=s final grade. Students are expected to
notify the instructor, directly or by leaving a message, of any absences. If a student
misses an examination, the student will make arrangements to make up this assignment
within one week of returning to class.
Instructor Responsibilities: The instructor will enhance and expand the meaning and
application of the subject matter covered throughout the course. At the beginning of each
quarter the instructor will distribute syllabi listing all class sessions and course
requirements. The instructor will facilitate class discussion and be available to students
who need additional educational assistance.