Summative Assessment: Police Theories and Practices
CJS/241: Introduction To Police Theory And Practices
Wk 2 – Summative Assessment: Police Theories and Practices
Exam Content
1.
Police organizations are instruments through which policing services are organized and delivered to the public. The primary function of the police force is crime prevention. As an aspiring police officer, it is crucial to understand how the organizational structure of the police department and its various practices influence its day-to-day functions.
Imagine you are being interviewed for the position of police officer. Your interviewer wants to evaluate your understanding of the practical implications of police theory and practices on its functions of crime prevention and keeping order.
Read all the following instructions carefully. You will be penalized if the assignment does not follow the instructions.
Respond to the questions provided below. Do your research and choose 1 of the following formats to document your responses to the interviewer:
o A written transcript your “interview” of 700-1,050 words
Write your answers to each of the following questions as if you were responding to your hiring officer in an interview:
o Why are you interested in a career in law enforcement?
o Does legitimacy in the police force enable effective crime-fighting? Explain how.
o Is problem-oriented policing an answer to building partnerships with the public? Explain why.
o Is civilianization a beneficial practice in police work? Provide reasons to support your answer. (Civilianization NOT civilization. Look it up.)
o What are the positive and negative impacts of bureaucracy on communication within a police department?
o Which type of mentality makes the best police officer: warrior or guardian? Explain why.
o Is the code of silence the desired police subculture? Explain why.
o What impact has been seen with the inclusion of women and minorities in the police force?
o How is crime control influenced by the contingency theory?
o How does the environment in which police organizations function influence their operational activities? Explain your reasoning in context with the appropriate policing theory.
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You don’t want to be long-winded but you don’t want to be so brief that the interviewer doesn’t obtain a good understanding of your grasp of the question.
Cite any sources you used to support your responses.
Submit your assignment.
Note: If you choose to write out your interview question responses, use this format:
Q: Why are you interested in a career in law enforcement?
A: My interest in law enforcement goes back to …
Resources
o Center for Writing Excellence
o Reference and Citation Generator
o Grammar Assistance
Answer preview to Summative Assessment: Police Theories and Practices
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