Learn: Criminal Justice Exam 2: Police and Constitutional Law

Functions of police

Law enforcement, order maintenance, crime prevention, and service to the community.

Police authority

The unique capacity of police to use coercive force, authorized by the state.

Origins of modern policing

Early forms of policing influenced by Sir Robert Peel, leading to organized police departments.

Political Era of policing

Characterized by close relationships between police, politicians, and communities, often leading to political patronage and corruption.

Reform/Professional Era of policing

Focused on professionalization, reduced political influence, centralized administration, crime control, and adoption of technology.

Community Era of policing

Emphasizes community policing, problem-solving, and increased attention to community concerns.

Police Organization

Includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with specific responsibilities.

Police recruitment and selection

Involves minimum qualifications, recruitment challenges, and a hurdle process to screen applicants.

Police training

Includes police academies, Field Training Officer (FTO) programs, and in-service training.

Police subculture and working personality

Describes how occupational experiences, danger, and authority shape officers' attitudes and behaviors.

Police stress

Refers to sources of stress in policing and their potential consequences on officers.

Police discretion

The ability of officers to exercise choice in enforcing laws, influenced by various factors.

Traditional policing

Focuses on preventive patrol, rapid response, and criminal investigations, exemplified by the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment.

Community and Problem-Oriented Policing

Involves community partnerships and strategies to address recurring crime problems.

SARA Model

A problem-solving model consisting of Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment.

Criminal investigations

Involves preliminary and follow-up investigations, evidence collection, and the role of forensic science.

Police use of force

Refers to types of force, legal limitations, and issues surrounding excessive force and police brutality.

Constitutional policing

The practice of exercising police authority within constitutional and legal boundaries.

Police legitimacy

The degree to which the public believes police have the right to exercise authority.

Procedural justice

Fairness in police decision-making and treatment, emphasizing voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives.

Qualified immunity

A legal doctrine that protects government officials from civil liability for discretionary actions taken within their official capacity.

Section 1983

Federal civil rights lawsuits that address violations of federally protected rights by officials acting under state law.

Fourth Amendment protections

Constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Reasonable suspicion vs. probable cause

Legal standards used to justify investigative stops, arrests, and searches, with reasonable suspicion being a lower threshold than probable cause.

Search warrants and exceptions

Legal authorizations for searches, including exceptions for searches incidental to lawful arrest, during field interrogation, and under special conditions.

Exclusionary rule

A legal principle that excludes evidence obtained through unconstitutional government conduct.

Exceptions to the exclusionary rule

Include good faith, independent source, and inevitable discovery exceptions.

Exigent circumstances

Situations that justify immediate action, such as hot pursuit, imminent destruction of evidence, or emergency aid.

Miranda Rights

Rights that protect individuals during custodial interrogation, requiring police to inform suspects of their rights.

Right to counsel

Sixth Amendment protections that guarantee the right to appointed counsel in felony and misdemeanor cases.