Project 2 – Environmental Scan

It is important that law enforcement executives understand the internal and external environments in which the law enforcement agency operates. For the purpose of this paper, you are considering applying for the position of Chief of Police for the town/city/county (parish) in which you live or work and are gathering background information prior to submission of the application. (My city is Clinton, Maryland. Prince George’s County)

To complete this assignment you must gather the following information and be prepared to answer the following questions:

What type of government structure does the jurisdiction have? For example, is there a strong mayor or council? You might consider utilizing the website for your locale (if one exists) or any other Internet or hard-copy information available.What are the local political forces?

What issues are currently being discussed or are making the news?Why do these issues seem to be important?

Who are the political players both inside government and in the community?

How do they display their power?

How is law enforcement for this area handled? Is there a full-service police agency, a partial service agency, or are services contracted to county, state, or sheriff agencies?

If your jurisdiction has its own police agency, is it full-service or partial service? Is it unionized and if so, which ranks/positions (for sworn personnel) are covered?

What is the “crime rate” for the jurisdiction for the years 2009-2012? What types of crime or order maintenance issues are prevalent?

If services are contracted or if a state/county police department or sheriff agency has responsibility, what is the level of community satisfaction?

What types of information would you like to know before submitting your application and why?

The paper should utilize information from discussion discussions, reading materials and any other relevant scholarly journals that the student deems useful. Reference materials should include a minimum of three (3) scholarly works, with at least one from material outside of the course content.

To ensure all questions are answered the following format will be used:

Cover page with name, course title and number, running head, and date submitted.

Body of paper:

Abstract with keywords that provides the purpose of the paper (APA format)

Identification, Description and Demographics of the Jurisdiction being Reviewed

Relevant Political Issues – This should include why the issues discussed are important as well as any discussion about the political players.

Law Enforcement Agencies – This should include discussion of relevant police organizations and how they currently operate in the jurisdiction, specific issues regarding the policing authorities, and a discussion about crime rates using statistics from 2016 through 2018.

Needed Information – This would include whatever additional information you believe would be necessary or useful to complete your application.

Conclusion – Roughly a ½ page summary of your findings

Reference Page (APA format)

The paper must be a minimum of six (6) pages of text (excluding the title, abstract, and reference pages), double spaced, 12 point font, with one inch margins.

If you use charts in this exercise, make sure they are sourced correctly.