Law Enforcement
Identify those common perspectives and give examples on why you selected that perspective. There is a discussion on perspectives in etudes. You all find it under don't forget to post your response in Canvas.
15 Steps in the criminal justice process
Police- The Role and Function
| week_5_presentation_police_role_function.ppt |
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6 Crime Perspectives
Instructions: ◦ Identify your perspective ◦ What are those common perspectives that others have in your group?
Inconsistent treatment produces disrespect for the system
Offender has to accept responsibility for actions
Involve all – offender, victims, officials agencies, community – in the decision-making and mediation process
Arrive at a consensual agreement for making good (restitution)
Instructions: ◦ Identify your perspective ◦ What are those common perspectives that others have in your group?
- You all already have a perspective, whether you know it or not
- 1. Crime control, - Emphasizes the control of dangerous offenders and the protection of society. Its advocates call for harsh punishments as a deterrent to crime, such as the death penalty
- Purpose of the justice system is to deter crime through the application of punishment
- The more efficient the system, the greater its effectiveness
- The justice system is not equipped to treat people but to investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, and punish the guilty
- 2. due process, Primary focus in on the defendant’s rights to prevent the wrongful conviction of an innocent person
- Need to preserve Constitutional rights and democratic ideals takes precedence over the need to punish the guilty
- Decisions must be carefully scrutinized to avoid errors
- Everyone must be treated equally and fairly
- Illegally seized evidence must be suppressed even if the guilty go free
- Legal counsel should be provided at every stage of the process, regardless of cost, to prevent abuse
- 3. rehabilitation, Primary purpose is to care for people who cannot manage themselves. Crime is an expression of frustration and anger created by social inequality that can be controlled by giving people the means to improve their lifestyle through conventional endeavors
- In the long run, it is better to treat than punish
- Criminals are society’s victims
- 4. non-interventionist, The justice system should limit its involvement with criminal defendants so as to avoid the inevitable harmful and long-term negative effects
- The justice system stigmatizes offenders
- Stigma locks people into a criminal way of life
- Less is better. Decriminalize, divert, and deinstitutionalize whenever possible
- 5. justice, The greatest challenge for the system is to dispense fair and equal justice to those who come before the law
- Equal treatment for equal crimes
- Structured justice, “just deserts”
Inconsistent treatment produces disrespect for the system
- 6. Restorative justice- Principles and goals:
Offender has to accept responsibility for actions
Involve all – offender, victims, officials agencies, community – in the decision-making and mediation process
Arrive at a consensual agreement for making good (restitution)
In- Class Break out group Assignment
A Ethics Challenge
The Middle City police force created Crime Control Teams— decentralized units relieved of routine, non-crime-related duties and given responsibility for controlling serious crime, apprehending offenders, conducting investigations, and increasing clearance rates on a neighborhood basis.
Two team members, Officers Donald Libby and Karen Johnson, each of whom has more than 15 years on the force, were part of a team assigned to displace gangs of local teenagers who were constantly causing problems in the neighborhood. After a few months on the job, Libby and Johnson were the target of numerous complaints related to their treatment of neighborhood youths. They were charged with roughing up neighborhood kids, slapping some of them around, and being disrespectful. In the most serious incident, they used a nightstick on a 15-year-old whom they claim had resisted arrest after they found him smoking marijuana in the park.
The youth suffered a broken arm and concussion and required hospitalization. When interviewed by the Internal Affairs bureau, the officers admitted they scuffled with the boy but claimed they were “only doing their job.” Besides, they argued, community leaders had demanded results, and their aggressive style had helped lower the crime rate in the area by more than 20 percent.
The boy and his parents have also filed suit, claiming that the amount of force used was unnecessary and violated his civil rights.
As their defense attorney, you are asked to write an essay outlining their defense. (Or, Class discussion on this topic- details will be given by your instructor) Don’t worry about legal rules.
How would you defend the two officers?
Two team members, Officers Donald Libby and Karen Johnson, each of whom has more than 15 years on the force, were part of a team assigned to displace gangs of local teenagers who were constantly causing problems in the neighborhood. After a few months on the job, Libby and Johnson were the target of numerous complaints related to their treatment of neighborhood youths. They were charged with roughing up neighborhood kids, slapping some of them around, and being disrespectful. In the most serious incident, they used a nightstick on a 15-year-old whom they claim had resisted arrest after they found him smoking marijuana in the park.
The youth suffered a broken arm and concussion and required hospitalization. When interviewed by the Internal Affairs bureau, the officers admitted they scuffled with the boy but claimed they were “only doing their job.” Besides, they argued, community leaders had demanded results, and their aggressive style had helped lower the crime rate in the area by more than 20 percent.
The boy and his parents have also filed suit, claiming that the amount of force used was unnecessary and violated his civil rights.
As their defense attorney, you are asked to write an essay outlining their defense. (Or, Class discussion on this topic- details will be given by your instructor) Don’t worry about legal rules.
How would you defend the two officers?
Grading Rubric for Written/Verbal Presentations
Emerging (Poor)
New, novice demonstration of competency, many areas for skill development
Developing (Fair)
Demonstrates some level of competency and areas for skill development
Advanced (Good)
Demonstrates significant level of competency and few areas for development
New, novice demonstration of competency, many areas for skill development
Developing (Fair)
Demonstrates some level of competency and areas for skill development
Advanced (Good)
Demonstrates significant level of competency and few areas for development
