Assignment on Police More than Crime Fighters
COMPETENCIES ADDRESSED IN THIS ASSIGNMENT
- Competency 1: Analyze police-community relations issues from an ethics perspective.
- Competency 2: Differentiate criminal justice social control concepts.
- Competency 4: Explore the use of police discretion in complex criminal justice issues.
INTRODUCTION
Due to television and movies people may often think of a police officer’s duties as constant crime fighting. This assumption and perception is not an accurate representation of the day-to-day duties of the typical police officer. Most often, the police respond to non-crime calls for service. These calls range anywhere from domestic disputes to people being locked out of their car or house. During these non-crime calls, the police are not making arrests; nevertheless, it is important that the police respond to these issues. There are many who believe the police response to non-crime events is just as or more important than fighting crime.
Police More than Crime Fighters
Some types of non-crime situations include:
- Maintaining social boundaries.
- Relieving unpleasant situations.
- Counterpunching or misdirecting police attention.
- Obtaining an emergency service.
In preparation for this assignment, you will view three scenarios in the More Than Crime Fighting media. You will be analyzing each scenario and answering questions about them.
Police More than Crime Fighters Instructions
For this assignment, submit a minimum one-page paper for each scenario (a minimum of three pages total but not more than four) in which you answer the following questions for each scenario:
- Determine which of the four non-crime situations people call the police is being presented.
- Identify the informal action the police can take to resolve each issue.
- Describe how solving each scenario informally can lead to positive police-community relations.
Hint: In the scenarios, each of the four non-crime responses will be represented. One of the scenarios deals with two combined non-crime call responses. You will only use each of the four responses once.
Refer to the More Than Crime Fighters Scoring Guide to ensure you meet all evaluation criteria.
Police More than Crime Fighters Other Requirements
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Must be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- Resources and citations: Format according to current APA style and formatting guidelines.
- Length of paper: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page or the references page.
- References: A minimum of three references. (If you create a hypothetical case, references will not be necessary.)
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
You are required to submit your paper to Turnitin. Once you review your results and make any needed changes, submit your paper for grading.
Note: Your instructor may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click the linked resources for helpful writing information.
RESOURCES
- More Than Crime Fighters Scoring Guide.
- APA Style and Format.
- Capella Online Writing Center.
- Community of Excellence.
- Criminal Justice Undergraduate Research Guide.
- Smarthinking Tutoring.
- Submit an Assignment.
- Turnitin.
- Writing Feedback Tool.
- APA Template.
- More Than Crime Fighting | Transcript.
More Than Crime Fighting
Police officers never know what they’re going to be dealing with. But even when they’re asked to handle a situation that is nonviolent, or not even crime-related, they’re called upon to use their best judgment and solve the problem as best they can. What can police do in the situations you’ve just seen? What should guide their choices?
A Verbal Argument
Gwen and Max Ramsey have been married for about five years. They both work at the hospital, where Gwen is an ER pediatrician and Max is a nurse. They’ve been sniping at each other all week about an embarrassing incident at a work party, but today their tempers boil over into a heated argument.
Max: I mean it, Gwen. I’m tired of this crap. People treat me like I’m your assistant and you don’t do a thing about it!
Gwen: Maybe they wouldn’t treat you that way if you weren’t so passive about it!
Max: Passive?? Nice. Thanks for the support, Gwen.
Gwen: Well, if the shoe fits…
Max: It fits, all right. It fits you. What kind of a wife treats her husband like this? A crappy one, that’s what kind.
Gwen: Wow. And you think I’m the problem here?
Max: I don’t think it. I know it. And I’m TIRED of it.
Gwen: That’s enough. You’re out of control. Get out of here. Go take a walk or something.
Max: What? Go take a walk? What are you, my mother? Shut up!
Gwen: You’re scaring me and I don’t like it. I’m serious. Get out of the house.
Max: I told you to shut up!
Gwen: I mean it! Get out of this house right now!
Max: I’m not going anywhere, dammit! This is my house too! I don’t make the big bucks like you do, but I pay the mortgage and I’m staying right here!
Gwen: All right, fine. I’m calling the police.
A Custody Dispute
Rory and Natalie Gilbert have been divorced for about a year, but they don’t have a formal custody agreement in place. Until recently, they’ve taken a casual approach to the kids’ schedule. But in the last few weeks, disagreements about financial matters have spilled over into arguments about who gets the kids when.
Natalie Gilbert: What are you doing here?
Rory Gilbert: I told you on the phone, I’m here to get my kids.
Natalie Gilbert: Our kids.
Rory Gilbert: Whatever. Are they ready?
Natalie Gilbert: Uh, no. I told you on the phone, they’re not coming with you.
Rory Gilbert: Knock it off, Natalie. I’m their father.
Natalie Gilbert: And I’m their mother, and you aren’t taking them.
Rory Gilbert: This again?? Yes, I am. I’m taking my kids to the skating rink, and I’m bringing them back at 3:00. You won’t be inconvenienced at all.
Natalie Gilbert: You’re right, because you’re not taking them. Now get out of here and leave us alone.
Rory Gilbert: I’m not going anywhere. Get them out here right now! I’m tired of your campaign to get between me and my kids!
Natalie Gilbert: Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.
Rory Gilbert thinks to himself :She’s talking about last week, when I wouldn’t give them to her because I was mad about that letter from her lawyer. But I know exactly how to finesse this! Time to get the law involved!
Rory Gilbert: All right, Natalie. I guess I’m going to have to call the police.
A Dog in Trouble
It’s a hot day in Riverbend City, and Grace Fowler is in a hurry to get home. But she’s in too big a hurry, and locks her keys in her car.
Grace Fowler: Where did I put my keys? They’re not in my pocket, they’re not in my purse…oh. There they are. In the ignition.
Kim Cohen (Passerby): What’s wrong?
Grace Fowler: I locked my dog and my keys in the car.
Kim Cohen: No spare key?
Grace Fowler: That would be very sensible! So of course I don’t have one.
Kim Cohen: I wonder if they might have something you can use at the hardware store up the block.
Grace Fowler: I doubt it. But even if they do, I don’t want to damage my lock.
Kim Cohen: Well, it’s pretty hot. You probably better do something quick. It doesn’t take long for a dog to overheat in this weather. Look, he’s already panting.
Grace Fowler: Do I call a locksmith?
Kim Cohen: You could, but I bet the police will come faster.
Grace Fowler: You’re right. Ugh, I guess I better call them.
Conclusion
Police officers never know what they’re going to be dealing with. But even when they’re asked to handle a situation that is nonviolent, or not even crime-related, they’re called upon to use their best judgment and solve the problem as best they can. What can police do in the situations you’ve just seen? What should guide their choices?
Credits
Subject Matter Expert:
Nancy Grimes
Interactive Design:
Christopher Schons
Instructional Design:
Patricia Luopa
Media nstructional Design:
Holly Dolezalek
Project Manager:
Andrea Thompson
Police More than Crime Fighters