SYLLABUS FOR CJSA 1359
Police Systems & Practices
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Course Dates/Times: 20 Oct – 12 Dec 2014/ 18002100
In Class sessions – class will meet face-to-face on Oct
23, 30; Nov 6, 13, 20, 27; Dec 4, 11 plus additional
weekly online discussions and assignments
Instructor: Valerie Alvarado
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1530-1800
Instructor Email: Valerie.a.alvarado@gmail.com
Phone: 616-729-279cell
727-2574 work
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Valerie Alvarado received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University.
She pursued her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and
received her diploma in May 2007.
From 2002-2006, Valerie went through the Law Enforcement Academy in Panama City, Florida
and became a Police Officer for the city. From 2006-2011, Valerie and her husband received
orders to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She worked for University of Phoenix and was adjunct
faculty for Remington College. In 2011, her husband received orders to Rota, Spain. Valerie
started working for Central Texas College, in January 2012, as an instructor and was later hired
as a substitute field representative in March 2012. She took over as the field representative in
August 2012. She was promoted to Local Program Manager January 2013.
I.
INTRODUCTION
A.
This course is an exploration of the profession of police officer. It includes the
organization of law enforcement systems, the police role, police discretion, ethics,
police-community interaction, and current and future issues.
B.
This is a criminal justice required course in the Associate in Applied Science degree
program.
C.
This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for career(s) in
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement.
D.
Prerequisite(s): (List) (None)
CJSA 1359
II.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Police Systems and Practices, the student will:
III.
A.
Explain the application of ethics, discretion, and sensitivity to the police profession.
B.
Describe the organization of law enforcement systems and its relationship to current
and future issues.
C.
The following Competencies and Foundations are used:
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A.
The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Student Textbook: The Police in America, An Introduction, Walker, 8th edition,
McGraw-Hill publisher, 2013, ISBN: 0078026547 or 9780078026546
B.
Supplementary Reading:
1. Stojkovic, Stan, David Kalinich, John Klofas, Criminal Justice Organizations:
Administration and Management, 3rd Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub, 2002.
2. Swanson, Charles R., Leonard Territo, and Robert W. Taylor, Police
Administration Structures, Processes, and Behavior, 5th Ed, Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001
3. Lannone, Nathan F., Supervision of Police Personnel, 6th Ed, Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001
4. Kappeler, Victor E., Critical Issues in Police Civil Liability, 3rd Ed, Prospect
Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001
5. Whisenand, Paul M., George E. Rush, Supervising Police Personnel, 5th Ed,
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
6. Champion, Dean J, Administration of Criminal Justice: Structure, Function, and
Process, Upper Saddle River, NJ: 2003.
7. Dunman, Roger G., Geoffrey P. Alpert, Critical Issues in Policing, 4th Ed,
Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001
8. Adams, Thomas F, Police Field Operations, 6th Ed, Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2004.
9. Bennett, Wayne W, Karen M. Hess, Management and Supervision in Law
Enforcement, 4th Ed, St. Paul, MN: West Pub, 2003.
IV.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.
CJSA 1359
Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will
not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
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B.
You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom
discussions and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture
material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class
Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current
CTC Course Catalog: http://www.ctcd.edu/catintro.htm.
C.
You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the semester. From the
beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in
the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crashcram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such
factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or
projects will be considered in grade computation.
D.
From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to
members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all
assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E.
You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading
materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F.
Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material
assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G.
Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest
standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during
examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper
credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another
person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically
approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H.
Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will
be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with
the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the
semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face
classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via email. It is the
student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to Blackboard and that they are
familiar with the contents and assignments.
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The course will meet for eight weeks—at least once a week--for a face-to-face three-hour
session. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly online discussion boards to
develop case studies and group collaboration/projects.
VI.
EXAMINATIONS
A.
There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project
as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on November 13
2. Final exam on December 11
3. Paper or Project due on December 4
B.
A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that
they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an
early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances
will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.
Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D.
Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-theblank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students
must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions
requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
EXAM
POINTS
Homework
20%
Mid-Term Exam
20%
Final exam
20%
Participation
20%
Paper/Project
20%
-------------------------------------------TOTAL
100%
POINTS
90-100
80- 89
70- 79
60- 69
0- 59
GRADES
A=4 pts/sem hr
B=3 pts/sem hr
C=2 pts/sem hr
D=1 pt/sem hr
F=0 pts/sem hr
*Incentive points are earned by doing special work on your own initiative, participating in
class discussions, completing outside assignments, and having a good attendance record.
Three points are deducted for each unexcused absence. Military assignments or
unavoidable circumstances will be evaluated upon notification of the instructor.
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely
withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for
more details, at http://europe.ctcd.edu/library/catalog.php.
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B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and
are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated
Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive
federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title
IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the
source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to
officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon
a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated
Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student
Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75%
of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Nonattendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be
assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the
exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be
assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness,
death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting
documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision
concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students
are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official
letter grade. This date can be determined by the instructor but must be within 45 days of
the course end date. After completion of the work the instructor can then change the
grade of “IP” to the appropriate letter grade. If this work is not completed by the
specified date the instructor will change the grade to “F”.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the
student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class
purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
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G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational
experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to
do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX.
COURSE OUTLINE
Note: The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced
in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s
responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via
the internet. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that
they may email the instructor. The class is broken down into eight sessions. See below for course
outline.
Session 1- (10/20-10/26) Intro and Chapters 1 & 2
i. Class will meet face-to-face Oct 23 (1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
A.
B.
Unit One: Course Introduction and Chapter 1, Police and Society
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Define a law enforcement agency.
b.
Identify who is a police officer.
c.
Review myths and realities associated with policing.
d.
Describe the factors that shape the police role.
e.
Define and identify the authority to use force.
f.
Discuss aspects of social control.
g.
Review policing methods.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Discuss course requirements and activities as contained in the syllabus
b.
Classroom lecture/discussion
c.
Reading assignment: Chapter 1
d.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Two: Chapter 2, The History of American Police.
1.
CJSA 1359
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit the student will be
able to:
a.
Relate the relevance of history.
b.
Discuss our English heritage.
c.
Review law enforcement in Colonial America.
d.
Discuss American policing in the nineteenth century.
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e.
f.
2.
Discuss the professional evolution of policing in the twentieth century.
Describe new developments in policing.
Learning Activities
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 2- (10/27-11/2) Chapters 3 & 4
i. Class will meet face-to-face Oct 30 (1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
C.
D.
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Unit Three: Chapter 3, The Contemporary Law Enforcement Industry
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Relate the size and scope of the law enforcement industry.
b.
Define the police-population ratio.
c.
Discuss the cost of police protection.
d.
Explain the concept of fragmentation.
e.
Describe the differences inherent in Municipal, County, State and
Federal police agencies.
f.
Discuss the private security industry.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Four: Chapter 4, Police Organization
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Define the quasi-military style of policing.
b.
Discuss police departments as organizations.
c.
Describe how the police bureaucracy impacts police professionalism.
d.
Discuss civil service in the police organization.
e.
Review the role of the police union.
f.
Define Contingency Theory.
g.
Define Institutional Theory.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment, Chapter 4
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
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Session 3- (11/3-11/9) Chapters 5 & 6
i. Paper or Project due on Nov 6
ii.Class will meet face-to-face 11/6 (1800-2100
iii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
E.
Unit Five: Chapter 5, Police Officers I: Entering Police Work
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit the student will be
able to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
2.
F.
Discuss the changing American Police Officer.
Identify the aspects of the personnel process.
Discuss Recruitment.
Review choosing law enforcement as a career.
Discuss the selection process.
Define the problems inherent in predicting and measuring officer
performance.
Discuss equal employment opportunity.
Review police training and certification.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment, Chapter 5
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Six: Chapter 6, Police Officers II: On the Job
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Understand the reality shock of beginning police work.
b.
Define the seniority system.
c.
Understand the changing aspects of the rank and file.
d.
Discuss the relationship between attitudes and behavior.
e.
Understand the styles of police work.
f.
Discuss career development opportunities.
g.
Understand how the performance evaluation is developed.
h.
Discuss the aspects of job satisfaction and job stress.
i.
Define the rights of the police officer.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment, Chapter 6
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 4- (11/10-11/16) Chapter 7, Review for Midterm & Midterm, Chapter 8
i. Class will meet face-to-face Nov 13 (1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
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G.
H.
Unit Seven: Chapter 7, Patrol: The Backbone of Policing
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Understand the function of patrol.
b.
Discuss the organization and delivery of patrol.
c.
Define the styles of patrol.
d.
Discuss patrol supervision.
e.
Explain the function of the communications center.
f.
Discuss the systematic study of police patrol.
g.
Discuss the call service workload.
h.
Understand the aspects of patrol work and the effectiveness of patrol.
i.
Discuss how to improve patrol.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 7
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Eight: Chapter 8, Peace keeping and order maintenance.
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Understand the process of the police call center.
b.
Discuss policing domestic disputes and disturbance calls.
c.
Define vice and police approach to prostitution offenses.
d.
Discuss policing the homeless and the mentally ill offender.
e.
Define AIDS and how police address the dangers of contracting
communicable diseases.
f.
Understand the relationship between police and the juvenile offender.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 8
c.
Review & Mid-term exam
d.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 5- (11/17-11/23) Chapters 9 & 10
i. Class will meet face-to-face Nov 20 (1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
I.
CJSA 1359
Unit Nine: Chapter 9, The Police and Crime
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Discuss crime control strategies and measuring effectiveness.
b.
Discuss crime prevention initiatives.
c.
Understand the process of criminal apprehension.
d.
Discuss the criminal investigation process and measuring its
effectiveness.
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e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
2.
J.
Define investigation clearance rate.
Explain the DNA typing process.
Address special investigative techniques
Discuss drug enforcement.
Review Gang-related crime and gang suppression techniques.
Define hate crimes.
Explain how police address the issue of terrorism.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 9
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Ten: Chapter 10, Innovations in Police Strategy
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Discuss the impetus for change in policing.
b.
Address the characteristics of community policing.
c.
Distinguish between community policing problems and prospects.
d.
Define problem the problem solving process.
e.
Outline the characteristics of zero-tolerance policing and its
effectiveness.
2.
Learning Activities
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment, Chapter 10
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 6- (11/24-11/30) Chapters 11 & 12
i. Class will meet face-to-face Nov 27(1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
K.
L.
CJSA 1359
Unit Eleven: Chapter 11, Police Discretion
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Define police discretion, its positive and negative aspects.
b.
Discuss Administrative rulemaking.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 11
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Twelve: Chapter 12 Police-Community Relations
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Define police-community relations.
Define discrimination and its relationship to disparity.
Discuss the impact of public opinion on police.
Discuss police perceptions of the public.
Define levels of police protection in relation to police/citizen ratio.
Discuss police field practices.
Define racial profiling.
Discuss police administrative practices.
Review the topic of improving police-community relations.
2.
a.
b.
Learning Activities:
Classroom lecture/discussion
Reading assignment, Chapter 12
Session 7- (Dec 1 – Dec 7) Chapters 13 & 14
i. Class will meet face-to-face Dec 4 (1800-2100)
ii. Term paper due Dec 4
iii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
M.
Unit Thirteen: Chapter 13, Police Corruption
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit the student will be
able to:
a.
Define police corruption.
b.
Discuss the level of police corruption.
c.
Understand the theories behind police corruption.
d.
Relate how to control police corruption.
e.
Discuss corruption control strategies.
f.
Review external corruption control approaches.
2. Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 13
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
N.
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Unit Fourteen: Chapter 14, Accountability of the Police
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Define accountability.
b.
Discuss the varying types of supervision.
c.
Review internal mechanisms of accountability.
d.
Understand the job of Internal Affairs.
e.
Discuss the pros and cons of citizen oversight.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 14
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
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Session 8- (12/8-12-14) Chapter 15, Review for Final & Final
i. Class will meet face-to-face Dec 11 (1800-2100)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Tuesday midnight (European time)
O.
P.
Unit Fifteen: Chapter 15, The Future of Policing in America
1.
Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a.
Discuss innovations in police technology.
b.
Explain the process of crime analysis.
c.
Review the outlook for police employment.
d.
Address how demographic changes impact the police.
e.
Discuss the impact of the war on terrorism.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion
b.
Reading assignment: Chapter 15
c.
Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Unit Sixteen:
1.
2.
CJSA 1359
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
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