CJBS 101 – Introduction to Policing & Criminal Justice

Vocabulary flashcards cover key persons, principles, constitutional amendments, policing styles, investigative concepts, and specialized units from Lecture 01-07 of CJBS 101.

Peelian Reform

Early 19th-century movement led by Sir Robert Peel that established modern, civilian-based policing principles.

Sir Robert Peel

British Home Secretary known as the “father of modern policing” for creating London’s Metropolitan Police in 1829.

Peel’s Principles

Guidelines emphasizing local responsibility, paid civilian officers, and professional conduct for police organizations.

Metropolitan Police Act (1829)

Law that created London’s first organized, uniformed police force based on Peel’s reforms.

Common Law

Body of unwritten legal traditions derived from court decisions rather than statutes.

Actus Reus

The physical act or unlawful omission that comprises the material elements of a crime.

Mens Rea

A defendant’s criminal intent or guilty mind required to establish liability for most offenses.

Order of Authority of Law

Hierarchy: U.S. Constitution → treaties → acts of Congress → state constitutions → state statutes → case law.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms; subject of legislation such as the Brady Law.

Brady Law

1993 federal statute mandating background checks and waiting periods for handgun purchases.

Fourth Amendment

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures; requires probable cause for warrants.

Probable Cause

Reasonable grounds to believe a crime has been committed and the suspect is involved.

Exclusionary Rule

Doctrine barring illegally obtained evidence from trial; rooted in Weeks v. U.S. and Mapp v. Ohio.

Weeks v. United States (1914)

Case that applied the exclusionary rule to federal law-enforcement actions.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Extended the exclusionary rule to state and local officers through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Fifth Amendment

Provides due process, bars double jeopardy, and protects against self-incrimination.

Due Process

Constitutional guarantee of fair procedures (procedural) and fundamental rights (substantive).

Double Jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same offense; prohibited by the Fifth Amendment.

Self-Incrimination

A defendant’s compelled admission of guilt; protected against by the Fifth Amendment.

Sixth Amendment

Ensures speedy, public trial by impartial jury, notice of charges, confrontation of witnesses, subpoena power, and counsel.

Speedy Public Trial

Sixth-Amendment right to timely, open court proceedings before an impartial jury.

Confrontation Clause

Sixth-Amendment right to face and cross-examine adverse witnesses.

Right to Counsel

Sixth-Amendment guarantee to legal representation in criminal prosecutions.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment, including issues surrounding the death penalty.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Punishment deemed inhumane or disproportionate; barred by the Eighth Amendment.

Fourteenth Amendment

Defines citizenship and applies due process and equal protection guarantees to the states.

Selective Incorporation Doctrine

Process by which fundamental Bill of Rights protections are applied to states via the Fourteenth Amendment.

Equal Protection Clause

Provision requiring states to treat individuals equally under the law.

Ninth Amendment

States that enumerated rights do not deny other rights retained by the people.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Supreme Court case recognizing constitutional “zones of privacy” under the Bill of Rights.

White-Collar Crime

Non-violent economic offenses such as fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft.

Organized Crime

Structured groups engaging in ongoing illegal activities, often using corruption and violence.

Mafia / La Cosa Nostra

Traditional Italian-American organized-crime network operating in the U.S.

Russian Organized Crime (ROC)

Criminal enterprises originating from the former Soviet Union; noted as a growing threat.

Phishing

Online scam to obtain personal data; increasingly connected to organized-crime rings.

Bias (Hate) Crime

Offense motivated by race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity of the victim.

Felony

Serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment exceeding one year.

Misdemeanor

Less serious offense punishable by fine or incarceration under one year.

Police Power

Legal authority of government to enforce laws and maintain public order, ultimately restricted by the Constitution.

Egon Bittner's Definition of Policing

Police exist because situations arise where something wrong is happening and must be stopped immediately.

Traditional Goals of Policing

Enforce laws, preserve peace, prevent crime, protect civil rights, and provide services.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Professional oath emphasizing an officer’s fundamental duty to serve the community.

Police Subculture

Distinctive set of beliefs and behaviors among officers, often called the “Blue Brotherhood.”

Code of Silence

Unwritten rule discouraging officers from reporting misconduct within the ranks.

Enforcer Style

Policing style focused on order and most prone to the use of force.

Crime Fighter/Zealot Style

Style emphasizing aggressive pursuit and eradication of serious crime.

Social Service Agent Style

Officer perceives role as helper, providing aid and community resources.

Watchdog Style

Passive approach monitoring serious violations while ignoring minor infractions.

Community Policing

Philosophy of proactive partnerships with citizens to prevent and solve crime; treated as a cultural shift.

Social Capital

Community networks and trust that facilitate collective action for mutual benefit.

Broken Windows Theory

Idea that visible disorder leads to more serious crime if not promptly addressed.

Crime Triangle

Model showing that crime is reduced by eliminating one leg: offender, victim, or location.

Patrol (General)

Core police function involving visible presence to deter crime and respond to calls.

Selective Traffic Enforcement

Targeted action on specific violations (speed, DUI) because constant enforcement is impossible.

Racial Profiling

Use of race as a primary factor in law-enforcement decisions, especially traffic stops.

Solvability Factors

Key elements such as witnesses or physical evidence that determine a case’s likelihood of being solved.

Forensic Science

Scientific analysis of physical evidence for legal purposes.

Chain of Evidence

Documented custody trail proving evidence integrity from collection to courtroom.

DNA Profiling

Identification method using unique genetic material; no two people (except identical twins) share the same DNA.

First Responder Priorities

Sequence: ensure safety, provide emergency care, secure scene and persons, preserve evidence, brief investigators.

Field Identification

On-scene victim/witness confirmation of a suspect shortly after the crime.

Modus Operandi (M.O.)

Offender’s habitual method of operation, useful in linking crimes to a suspect.

Profilers

Experts who analyze personality and behavioral traits to predict characteristics of unknown offenders.

Intelligence Officers

Undercover personnel gathering information on ongoing criminal enterprises; risk entrapment issues.

Internal Affairs (IA)

Unit investigating misconduct within a police department.

Juvenile Officers

Specialists handling youth offenders with options ranging from release to court referral.

Vice Officers

Detectives targeting offenses such as gambling, prostitution, narcotics, and pornography.

SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)

Highly trained team designed to contain and neutralize high-risk situations.

K-9 Assisted Officers

Teams using trained dogs for search, detection, apprehension, and deterrence.

Reserve (Auxiliary) Officers

Part-time volunteers providing support services; usually cannot issue citations.

NCIC (National Crime Information Center)

FBI-run database providing nationwide criminal justice information to law-enforcement agencies.

Interoperability

Ability of varied communication systems to share information seamlessly during multi-agency operations.

PAL (Police Athletic League)

Youth program fostering positive police–community relations through sports and mentorship.

DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

School-based initiative where officers teach students about resisting drug use and violence.