COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Law Enforcement examines the history and heritage of law enforcement, the criminal justice system in the United States and its contemporary police system, the organization and management of police, and constitutional law and legal precedents.

COURSE TOPICS

History of policing in the United States
Recruitment and training
Police operations
Community policing
Criminal justice system
Police stress
Constitutional laws and court decisions affecting law enforcement
Ethics and accountability
Terrorism
The various law enforcement agencies
Serving special populations
Technology

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO1 Discuss the history and development of law enforcement in the United States.

CO2 Evaluate principles necessary for the effective administration of a police agency.

CO3 Describe the primary functions and methods of police operations.

CO4 Analyze the importance of police discretion, both positive and negative aspects, and why police are often referred to as the gatekeepers of the criminal justice system.

CO5 Examine the sources of ethics and the influence of values in the law enforcement profession.

CO6 Discuss the theory and major components of effective community policing.

CO7 Examine constitutional laws and court decisions that affect law enforcement.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Peak, K. J. (2015). Policing America: Challenges and best practices (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

ISBN: 978-0133495652

COURSE STRUCTURE

Introduction to Law Enforcement is a three-credit, online course consisting of six modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: History of Policing in America
Course objectives covered in this module: 1, 2, 6
Module 2: Recruitment, Training, Patrol Functions, and Community-Oriented Policing
Course objectives covered in this module: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Module 3: Criminal Investigation, Personnel Issues and Practices, Rule of Law
Course objectives covered in this module: 3, 7
Module 4: Accountability and Civil Liability
Course objectives covered in this module: 5, 7
Module 5: Law Enforcement Agencies and Terrorism
Course objectives covered in this module: 2, 3
Module 6: People Problems and Technology Review
Course objectives covered in this module: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums and written assignments, quizzes, and a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Discussion Forums

You are required to complete nine graded discussion forums. Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Please note there is an ungraded, but required, Introductions Forum. An evaluation rubric for discussion forums can be found in the Evaluation Rubrics folder in the main area of the course.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete four written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Evaluation rubrics for each of the written assignments can be found within the assignment submission link.

Quizzes

You are required to take six quizzes, one per module. These quizzes will assess your mastery of basic terminology and concepts. All quiz items are multiple choice. You may use any materials that you like in taking the quizzes, and there is no time limit for taking each quiz.

You will be able to take each quiz an unlimited number of times, and the gradebook will record your most recent score. This arrangement will allow you to go back and reread portions of the text that you need to review and then take the quiz again for further practice.

Final Project

You are required to complete a final project for this course. Details can be found in the Final Project overview.

An evaluation rubric can be found in the final project submission link.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Discussion forums (9)— 31 percent
Written assignments (4)— 32 percent
Quizzes—12 percent
Final project— 25 percent

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	C+	=	78–79
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–77
B+	=	88–89	C–	=	70–72
B	=	83–87	D	=	60–69
B–	=	80–82	F	=	Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: