CJE 3341 - Patrol Issues in Law Enforcement Administration

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2024 (630)

Requisites

Admission to Public Safety Administration (Bachelor of Applied Science) (PSA-BAS)

Course Description

In this course, students will examine the diverse responsibilities of patrol operations to develop an understanding of the role of the police officer, who is usually the first unit on the scene to address crime and to protect the community. Current issues confronting police officers will be discussed and evaluated as to how these issues affect the relationship between police and the community. 

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will examine the causation and consequences of crime, and the role police play in addressing social problems by:
    1. explaining crime as a social problem with unique causes specific to the social environment.
    2. analyzing law enforcement as an element of social control to address the consequences of criminal activity.
    3. differentiating popular consensus and political agendas as an influence on official law enforcement policy.
  2. The student will describe the police role in American society by:
    1. detailing how the police achieve social control using methods of law enforcement, social service, and order maintenance.
    2. explaining the unique and sensitive character of the reciprocal relationship that exists between the police and the public and how the attitudes of both groups influence each other.
    3. discussing the styles of policing at the department level and at the level of the individual officer.
    4. discussing the organizational structure and operational procedures of a typical law enforcement agency including patrol, investigation, specialized units, and administrative services.
  3. The student will evaluate administrative considerations in staffing and managing the uniform patrol function by:
    1. critiquing recruitment, selection, and retention issues.
    2. assessing mental and physical preparation of law enforcement officers.
    3. appraising stress issues and the impact on the working environment and private life of the law enforcement officer.
    4. assessing civil liability as it relates to the police officer’s exercise of the official duties and responsibilities.
    5. summarizing Citizen Reviews Boards and the manner in which the board functions as a monitoring mechanism for law enforcement.
  4. The student will evaluate patrol strategies and be able to cite the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy by:
    1. researching the effectiveness of crime prevention programs.
    2. determining citizen satisfaction with current patrol strategies.
    3. assessing the role of crime analysis in predicting past patrol effectiveness and future patrol priorities.
  5. The student will examine the administrative functions of a patrol force commander by:
    1. discussing the use of force continuum to manage aggressive behavior and an officer’s obligation in exercising use of force.
    2. describing the concept of police discretion, the basis as a realistic approach to law enforcement, and the control of its use through legal precedent and departmental policy.
    3. discussing police deviance as demonstrated through brutality and corruption.
    4. analyzing the unionization of the police and ethical dilemmas associated with police membership in labor organizations.
  6. Students will analyze contemporary issues confronting patrol officers by:
    1. distinguishing ethical issues as they relate to intrusiveness and privacy concerns.
    2. explaining national issues and trends affecting patrol officers.
  7. Students will compare and contrast tactical response considerations to specific incidents by:
    1. evaluating an incident of civil unrest.
    2. analyzing significant studies relevant to managing major events.
    3. discussing selection, equipment, and training issues relevant to the mitigation of major civil disturbance or acts of violence
    4. examining formulation of command and control procedures for coordinated response to major incidents by various public safety agencies.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

(submitted as 3329, SCNS approved as 3341). 3 Year Review 2008.
C&I Approval: 07/21/2023, BOT Approval: 09/19/2023, Effective Term: Spring 2024 (630)

Related Programs

  1. Public Safety Administration (PSA-BAS) (655) (Active)