CJ Today CH5 Key Terms

ballistics

The study of firearms, bullets, and how they travel and impact.

blue curtain

An unofficial code among police officers not to report on a colleague’s errors or misconduct.

broken windows theory

The idea that maintaining urban environments to prevent small crimes helps to prevent larger ones.

bureaucracy

A structured, rule-based system of organization, often used in government agencies.

burnout

Extreme physical or emotional exhaustion caused by stress, especially in high-demand jobs like policing.

citizen oversight

When independent citizens review complaints or issues related to police conduct.

civil liability

Legal responsibility of police officers or departments for violating someone’s rights.

civil rights violation

When someone’s protected freedoms or legal rights are denied or infringed.

clearance rate

The percentage of crimes that are solved by arrest or other means.

cold case

A criminal investigation that remains unsolved and is no longer actively pursued.

cold hit

When DNA evidence links a suspect to a crime without prior suspicion.

community policing

A strategy that emphasizes building ties and working closely with community members.

computer-aided dispatch (CAD)

A system used to send police officers to emergency situations through computer technology.

confidential informant (CI)

A person who provides information to the police in secret, often in exchange for leniency or money.

crime mapping

The process of using geographic data to visualize where crimes occur.

deadly force

Force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.

delegation of authority

The process of giving someone else the power to make decisions or carry out tasks.

detective

A law enforcement officer who investigates crimes and gathers evidence.

differential response

Using different strategies or levels of police response depending on the situation.

directed patrol

Police strategy that targets specific areas or issues based on crime patterns.

DNA fingerprinting

The use of DNA analysis to identify individuals involved in a crime.

duty

A moral or legal obligation; police officers’ responsibility to uphold the law.

forensics

The use of scientific methods to investigate crimes.

hot spots

Areas where crimes happen frequently and are targeted for more policing.

incident-driven policing

Responding to specific calls for service or emergencies.

internal affairs unit (IAU)

A division within a police department that investigates officer misconduct.

police corruption

Illegal or unethical behavior by police officers, often involving bribery or abuse of power.

police subculture

A set of norms and values shared among police officers that may differ from mainstream culture.

proactive arrests

Arrests made as part of a strategy to prevent crimes before they occur.

problem-oriented policing

A method that focuses on identifying and solving underlying problems contributing to crime.

qualified immunity

A legal doctrine that protects government officials from lawsuits unless they violated clearly established rights.

random patrol

Police officers patrol an area without a specific plan, hoping their presence will deter crime.

reactive arrests

Arrests made in response to a crime that has already happened.

reasonable force

Force that is appropriate and not excessive under the circumstances.

response time

The amount of time it takes for police to arrive after a call for service.

socialization

The process of learning the norms, values, and behaviors of the police profession.

stressors

Events or conditions that cause stress, especially common in policing jobs.

toxicology

The study of the effects of chemicals (especially drugs and poisons) on the human body.

trace evidence

Small bits of physical evidence, like hair or fibers, that can link a suspect to a crime.