Untitled Flashcards Set

Flashcards

1. In 2050, the population which will be white:

   • Answer: Approximately 47% of the population will be white.

2. Police Operations include:

   • Answer: Patrol, investigation, traffic enforcement, specialized units, and community policing.

3. Contemporary Law Enforcement Terms:

   • Answer: Terms such as "probable cause," "reasonable suspicion," "exclusionary rule," and "Miranda rights."

4. Who was Sir Robert Peel?

   • Answer: He is considered the father of modern policing, creating the first organized police force in London in 1829.

5. Demography:

   • Answer: The study of population characteristics and how they relate to law enforcement resources and tactics.

6. Police Leadership Styles:

   • Answer: Autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire.

7. How Police Recruits Have Changed:

   • Answer: More emphasis on education, diversity, and mental health awareness in recent years.

8. Broken Windows Theory:

   • Answer: The theory that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a well-ordered condition may prevent further crime and disorder.

9. Use of Discretion:

   • Answer: The ability of law enforcement officers to decide whether or not to intervene in a situation or make an arrest.

10. The Right to Stop and Question Suspects:

    • Answer: Officers have the right to stop and question individuals based on reasonable suspicion, but not to make an arrest without probable cause.

11. Flow of Communication in Law Enforcement:

    • Answer: The way information flows within police departments, from officers on patrol to supervisors, and across agencies.

12. Special Problems with Communications in Law Enforcement:

    • Answer: Communication issues like officer safety, information overload, and technology failure.

13. Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease on Law Enforcement:

    • Answer: Officers may need to handle elderly suspects or witnesses who may be affected by Alzheimer’s in ways that influence their actions or testimonies.

14. Preponderance of Evidence and Reasonable Suspicion:

    • Answer: Preponderance of evidence is used in civil cases (more likely than not), while reasonable suspicion is used to stop and question suspects.

15. Who Are Witnesses?

    • Answer: Individuals who provide testimony or evidence in a criminal case based on their personal knowledge of the event.

16. Stealth Patrol Methods:

    • Answer: Techniques used to observe suspects without being detected, such as plainclothes or covert surveillance.

17. August Vollmer:

    • Answer: A police reformer who is credited with developing the modern police department structure and advocating for education and training.

18. Community Policing:

    • Answer: A strategy that focuses on building positive relationships between the police and the community, with an emphasis on crime prevention.

19. Things to Consider When Developing a Police Department:

    • Answer: Values, goals, budget, staffing, community relations, and training.

20. Terry v. Ohio:

    • Answer: A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the right for officers to stop and frisk a person based on reasonable suspicion.

21. Effective Communication in Policing:

    • Answer: Clear, concise, and empathetic communication between officers, the public, and within law enforcement agencies.

22. Polygraph Usage:

    • Answer: Polygraphs are used to assess truthfulness, though they are not always admissible in court.

23. Interview vs. Interrogation:

    • Answer: An interview is a conversation to gather information; an interrogation is a more intense questioning to obtain confessions.

24. Miranda Warnings:

    • Answer: The legal rights read to a suspect upon arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

25. Effective Field Notes:

    • Answer: Detailed, objective notes taken by officers during investigations to document events and evidence.

26. Admissible Confessions:

    • Answer: Confessions obtained without coercion and after the suspect has been informed of their rights.

27. Legal Searches:

    • Answer: Searches conducted with a warrant or under exceptions like consent, plain view, or exigent circumstances.

28. Less-Lethal Technology:

    • Answer: Tools like tasers and bean bag rounds used to subdue suspects without causing serious injury.

29. Backbone of Law Enforcement:

    • Answer: Patrol officers who carry out the day-to-day tasks of policing.

1. Population Demographics (2050)

• Future Population in 2050: Projections suggest that the global population will see a shift, with significant demographic changes in racial composition, particularly in developed countries. The white population may see a decline in proportion, while other racial groups may increase.

2. Police Operations

• Police Operations: These involve all actions carried out by law enforcement to enforce the law, such as patrolling, investigations, arrests, traffic enforcement, and responding to emergencies.

3. Contemporary Law Enforcement Terms

• Contemporary Terms: Includes terms such as "community policing," "discretion," "use of force," "crime scene investigation," "probable cause," and more.

4. Sir Robert Peel

• Sir Robert Peel: Known as the father of modern policing. He developed the Peelian Principles, which emphasized ethics, professionalism, and the role of the police in serving the community rather than controlling it.

5. Demography

• Demography: The study of populations, including characteristics such as age, race, gender, income, education level, and more. This is important in understanding trends in crime and law enforcement needs.

6. Police Leadership Styles

• Leadership Styles: Common styles in policing include autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership. Each style affects how departments are managed, the morale of officers, and their relationship with the community.

7. Changes in Police Recruits

• Changes in Police Recruits: The demographic of police recruits has shifted over the years with more diversity, higher education requirements, and increased focus on community engagement skills.

8. Broken Windows Theory

• Broken Windows Theory: A criminological theory suggesting that visible signs of disorder and neglect cause an increase in crime and anti-social behavior. Proponents argue that maintaining order through policing minor offenses prevents more serious crimes.

9. Use of Discretion

• Use of Discretion: The ability of police officers to make decisions based on their judgment in situations where the law does not mandate a specific course of action (e.g., deciding whether to arrest, issue a warning, or give a citation).

10. Right to Stop and Question Suspects

• Right to Stop and Question: Under Terry v. Ohio, officers can stop and question individuals if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity.

11. Flow of Communication in Law Enforcement

• Flow of Communication: Communication within police departments is critical for coordinating efforts, ensuring officer safety, and sharing information. Effective communication helps in handling emergencies and solving crimes.

12. Special Problems with Communications

• Special Problems: Includes issues like language barriers, miscommunication, technology failures, or lack of proper reporting protocols.

13. Alzheimer's Disease and Law Enforcement

• Effects on Law Enforcement: Alzheimer's disease can affect officers' cognitive abilities, which is crucial in the performance of tasks requiring attention to detail, judgment, and decision-making in high-pressure situations.

14. Preponderance of Evidence and Reasonable Suspicion

• Preponderance of Evidence: The standard of proof in civil cases. It means that one side's evidence is more convincing than the other’s.

• Reasonable Suspicion: A legal standard for stopping and questioning someone or making a brief detention. It’s a lower standard than probable cause but requires specific and articulable facts.

15. Who are Witnesses?

• Witnesses: Individuals who have seen or heard events related to a crime and provide testimony in a court of law.

16. Stealth Patrol Methods

• Stealth Patrol: A tactic used by police to maintain a low profile while monitoring crime or gathering intelligence, often using unmarked vehicles or plain clothes.

17. August Vollmer

• August Vollmer: A key figure in the development of modern policing, known for professionalizing law enforcement, advocating for police education, and implementing new technologies in police work.

18. Community Policing

• Community Policing: A strategy where the police work closely with community members to identify and solve problems related to crime and disorder. It emphasizes prevention, problem-solving, and building trust.

19. Things to Consider When Developing Police Department

• Considerations: Values like integrity, accountability, transparency, ethics, respect for diversity, and community engagement.

20. Terry v. Ohio

• Terry v. Ohio: A landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows officers to stop and frisk individuals on the street when they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

21. Effective Communication

• Effective Communication: Key in law enforcement to ensure that officers understand their assignments, coordinate in emergencies, and foster good community relationships.

22. Polygraph Usage

• Polygraph: A lie detector test used in certain criminal investigations. While polygraphs are not universally admissible in court, they can be a tool for gathering information.

23. Interview vs. Interrogation

• Interview: A non-accusatory conversation intended to gather information.

• Interrogation: A more intense process where officers try to extract a confession or information from a suspect.

24. Miranda Warnings

• Miranda Warnings: Legal warnings that must be given to a suspect before questioning if the suspect’s statements are to be used in court (right to remain silent, right to an attorney, etc.).

25. Effective Field Notes

• Effective Field Notes: Notes taken by officers at the scene of an incident. These must be accurate, clear, and concise to ensure proper documentation of events for future legal proceedings.

26. Admissible Confessions

• Admissible Confessions: A confession that is made voluntarily, without coercion, and in accordance with constitutional rights, such as Miranda warnings.

27. Legal Searches

• Legal Searches: Searches that are conducted by law enforcement with proper legal justification, such as a search warrant or probable cause.

28. Less-Lethal Technology

• Less-Lethal Technology: Tools used by law enforcement to incapacitate suspects without causing death, including tasers, bean bag rounds, and rubber bullets.

29. Backbone of Law Enforcement

• Backbone of Law Enforcement: Refers to the fundamental components of policing, such as officers on patrol, detectives, and investigative units that make up the core of the department's daily operations.

Test 1 Topics

1. Local, State, and Federal Police Agencies: Understand the differences in jurisdiction, responsibilities, and operations.

2. Police to Population Ratio: The ideal ratio and its impact on law enforcement efficiency and crime prevention.

3. Percentage of Municipal Police Departments: Municipal police make up a significant portion of law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

4. Coroner vs. Medical Examiner: The distinction between the two, particularly in death investigations.

5. Department Created by Hoover: The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) was developed under J. Edgar Hoover’s leadership.

6. Metropolitan Police Act: The first modern police act in England, which laid the foundation for the establishment of formal police forces.

7. Patronage: A system where political leaders give police jobs as rewards for loyalty.

8. Corruption and the Political Era: During the Political Era, policing was often marked by corruption, where police forces were used for political gain.

9. Wickersham Commission: A commission that studied the criminal justice system and suggested reforms in law enforcement.

Study Guide for Policing and Law Enforcement Topics

1. History of Policing in America

• First American Police Officer:

  • No training, patrolled on foot, lacked modern communication tools.

  • No formal preservice training, no manual for policies or procedures.

• The 1950s Police Officer:

  • Primarily male officers; training varied by department.

  • Post-WWII saw an influx of military-trained recruits.

• The Political Era (1830s - 1900):

  • Police work was politically driven (patronage), inefficient, and lacked training.

  • Officers were hired based on political connections and received little to no formal training.

  • Corruption was prevalent, with police officers often taking bribes.

• The Professional Era (1900 - 1960):

  • August Vollmer led the professionalization movement, aiming to improve police standards.

  • Focus on raising personnel standards, appointing qualified chiefs, and creating specialized units.

  • Increased focus on crime prevention and community relationships.

2. Sir Robert Peel and the Creation of Modern Policing

• Peel’s Role:

  • Founder of the London Metropolitan Police (1829), the first modern police force.

  • Advocated for crime prevention as the primary police mission.

  • His principles emphasized visibility and engagement with the community.

  • "Bobbies" as a tribute to Peel’s legacy.

3. Police Operations and Communication

• Patrol Methods:

  • Early police patrols were on foot with no vehicles or radios.

  • The evolution of patrol cars and two-way radios dramatically improved police efficiency.

• Flow of Communication:

  • Early systems involved primitive call boxes; modern communication allows rapid dispatch and supervision of patrol officers.

4. Contemporary Law Enforcement Terms

• Discretion:

  • Officers' ability to make decisions in enforcing laws (e.g., to arrest or not, charge or not).

  • Critical in ensuring flexibility and creativity in police work.

• Miranda Warnings:

  • Key legal procedures to inform suspects of their rights before interrogation.

5. The Role of Law Enforcement and Legal Issues

• Terry v. Ohio (1968):

  • Landmark Supreme Court case that established the standards for "stop and frisk."

• Preponderance of Evidence & Reasonable Suspicion:

  • Legal thresholds for different types of law enforcement actions (e.g., arrest vs. stop).

• Polygraph Testing:

  • Used to assess truthfulness, but not legally admissible in court.

6. Policing and Demographics

• Demographic Changes in the U.S.:

  • Baby boomers reaching retirement age (76 million), creating shifts in the age demographics.

  • Rise in immigration, both legal and illegal, influencing policing strategies.

  • Social issues: Unemployment, health care, and economic disparities are affecting policing dynamics.

7. Changing Roles of Officers and Community Policing

• Changing Officer Demographics:

  • Increase in women and minority officers, breaking traditional barriers.

  • Education requirements for new recruits emphasize a more educated workforce.

• Community Policing:

  • The shift toward building positive community relationships, rather than focusing solely on crime control.

  • Policing models that emphasize crime prevention, collaboration with community leaders, and problem-solving.

8. Special Problems in Policing

• Alzheimer’s Disease & Law Enforcement:

  • Officers need to be aware of how Alzheimer’s disease impacts interactions with the public, especially vulnerable populations.

• Challenges in Communication:

  • Issues such as language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and difficulties in conveying information during high-stress situations.

9. Notable Figures in Law Enforcement History

• August Vollmer:

  • Father of American police professionalism, implemented major reforms and set the foundation for modern police management.

• J. Edgar Hoover:

  • Director of the FBI, led significant changes in federal law enforcement.

10. Major Police Reforms and Legal Precedents

• Wickersham Commission (1929):

  • Aimed to study and address systemic issues in law enforcement, leading to reforms.

• Miranda Decision:

  • Established constitutional rights for suspects under custodial interrogation.

11. Policing Today and in the Future

• National Police Crisis (2014 to Present):

  • Major events, such as the Ferguson shooting, sparked national debates over policing and race relations.

  • Resulted in police reform initiatives emphasizing procedural justice, de-escalation, and accountability.

1. Police Unions & Law Enforcement Structure

• Police Strikes: Illegal in many states.

• Police Unions' Impact:

  • Improve officer salaries and benefits.

  • Make law enforcement jobs more competitive.

  • Can influence the political and social environment of policing.

2. Theoretical Frameworks for Understanding Police Organizations

• Contingency Theory: Police organizations are structured to achieve specific goals, such as crime control.

• Institutional Theory: Police organizations are influenced by their external social and political environments.

• Resource Dependency Theory: Organizations depend on external resources and engage in exchanges with other organizations to survive.

3. Arrests & Legal Considerations

• The Continuum of Contacts: Police officers' actions must correlate to an individual's behavior, ranging from simple greetings to the use of force.

• Stop and Frisk (Terry stop):

  • A frisk is a limited search of a person’s outer clothing for weapons.

  • The stop is considered a seizure, not an arrest.

• Legal Arrests:

  • Defined as the official taking of a person into custody.

  • Arrests can only be made with probable cause.

  • Illegal seizures can lead to challenges in court and possible civil suits.

• Use of Force:

  • Compliant, passive resistive, active resistive, and assaultive levels of force.

  • Excessive force can lead to violations of civil rights and lawsuits.

  • Use of non-lethal and deadly force must be justified.

  • The "knock and announce" rule applies in certain situations.

• Search Warrants:

  • Exceptions: Consent, plain view, motor vehicle searches, exigent circumstances, etc.

  • Search Procedure: Officers must conduct searches lawfully, respecting the rights of individuals.

4. Patrol Service & Techniques

• Importance of Patrol:

  • Patrol is often seen as the backbone of law enforcement.

  • Patrol officers are essential but often overlooked in terms of rank and importance.

  • They handle both crime-related and non-crime calls for service.

• Patrol Methods:

  • Foot Patrol: Community engagement.

  • Automobile Patrol: Coverage of larger areas.

  • K-9 Assisted Patrol: Popular for detecting drugs or tracking suspects.

  • Special-Terrain Vehicles: Used in specific environments.

• Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment:

  • Found that increasing or decreasing patrols had minimal impact on crime, fear of crime, or police response time.

  • The experiment highlighted that patrol presence alone doesn’t prevent crime; it needs to be strategic.

5. Problem-Oriented Policing

• Problem-Oriented Policing (Herman Goldstein, 1979):

  • Shifts focus from reactive to proactive strategies.

  • Aims to identify and solve problems, not just handle incidents.

  • SARA Process:

    • Scanning: Identifying problems.

    • Analysis: Understanding the problem.

    • Response: Creating and implementing solutions.

    • Assessment: Evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions.

6. Legal Guidelines for Searches & Arrests

• Handcuffing: May be considered a use of force.

• Use of Force Models: Verbal judo, and escalation based on resistance levels.

• Miranda Warning: Must be read to suspects at the time of arrest to inform them of their rights.

7. Exclusionary Rule & Exceptions

• Exclusionary Rule: Evidence obtained from illegal searches and seizures is inadmissible in court.

• Exceptions:

  • Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine: Evidence found due to illegal searches is also excluded.

  • Inevitable Discovery: Evidence can still be admissible if it would have been discovered lawfully.

  • Good Faith Exception: Evidence may be admissible if officers acted with a good-faith belief that the search was lawful.

Key Takeaways:

• Officers must be familiar with both substantive and procedural laws when making arrests or searches.

• Use of force must be justified and appropriate to the level of resistance or threat.

• Effective patrol strategies require understanding community needs, with an emphasis on problem-solving and proactive approaches.

• Legal standards for searches and arrests are strict, and any violations could lead to the exclusion of evidence or civil lawsuits.

Police Operations & Leadership:

• Police Operations: The essential functions of police agencies, including crime prevention, enforcement, and investigation.

• Police Leadership Styles: Various styles, such as autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire, influence departmental effectiveness.

• Police Recruits: Recruits have become more diverse, and there’s an increasing emphasis on education and training.

• Police Values: Core values like integrity, service, and respect are foundational when developing a police department.

Legal Terms & Cases:

• Contemporary Law Enforcement Terms: Terms like probable cause, reasonable suspicion, and arrest are essential in law enforcement.

• Terry v. Ohio: Landmark case allowing police to stop and frisk a person based on reasonable suspicion.

• Preponderance of Evidence & Reasonable Suspicion: Standards of proof in criminal cases; preponderance of evidence in civil cases, and reasonable suspicion for stops.

• Miranda Warnings: The legal requirement to inform suspects of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Key Figures & Theories:

• Sir Robert Peel: The founder of modern policing and the concept of community policing.

• August Vollmer: Pioneered police professionalism and advocated for higher education and technological advancements in law enforcement.

• Broken Windows Theory: A theory suggesting that maintaining order and addressing minor offenses can prevent more serious crimes.

• Community Policing: An approach that encourages partnerships between police and the community to prevent crime and solve problems.

Discretion & Ethics:

• Use of Discretion: Officers often make decisions about how to enforce the law based on circumstances, which raises ethical concerns.

• Patronage: A practice where political supporters are appointed to police positions, leading to concerns over impartiality.

• Corruption: Police corruption, such as bribery or abuse of power, can undermine public trust.

• Political Era: Period in which politics heavily influenced policing, with political leaders influencing police appointments and policies.

Communications & Technology:

• Flow of Communication: The channels through which information is communicated within police departments.

• Special Problems with Communications: Challenges like language barriers and technology malfunctions in policing.

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Law Enforcement: Understanding how Alzheimer’s can affect suspect behavior and interactions with law enforcement.

• Polygraph Usage: A tool used in investigations to determine truthfulness, though not always admissible in court.

• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey information both within a department and to the public.

• Less-Lethal Technology: Tools like Tasers and rubber bullets used to subdue suspects without causing fatal harm.

Patrol Methods & Crime Prevention:

• Stealth Patrol Methods: Techniques such as undercover work or plainclothes patrols to avoid detection and prevent crime.

• Backbone of Law Enforcement: Patrol officers are the primary frontline personnel responsible for maintaining order.

• Routine Patrol: Patrolling the community to deter crime, with methods evolving over time (e.g., Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment).

• Directed Patrol: Focused patrol efforts based on specific crime hotspots or department goals.

Ethics, Interrogation, & Legal Procedures:

• Interview vs. Interrogation: Interviews are fact-finding, while interrogations are focused on eliciting confessions.

• Admissible Confessions: Confessions must be obtained legally, meaning they cannot be coerced or obtained in violation of rights.

• Legal Searches: Searches must adhere to constitutional guidelines (e.g., warrants, probable cause).

• Wickersham Commission: An early commission that investigated the treatment of prisoners and proposed reforms in the justice system.

Additional Important Concepts:

• Coroner vs. Medical Examiner: A coroner is elected, while a medical examiner is appointed and typically has a medical degree.

• Department Created by Hoover: The FBI was formalized under J. Edgar Hoover’s leadership.

• Metropolitan Police Act: Established modern policing in London in the 19th century, influencing police systems worldwide.

• Union Support in Politics: Police unions often play a role in politics, supporting candidates and causes that affect law enforcement.

Test 1 Study Guide

Demographics & Population Projections:

• Population in 2050: In many countries, especially the U.S., projections estimate that the white population will shrink as a percentage of the total, with greater diversity among minority groups.

Police Operations:

• Police Operations Include: Crime control, investigation, patrolling, public safety, emergency response, and public service.

• Contemporary Law Enforcement Terms:

  • Probable cause: Sufficient reason based on facts to believe a crime has occurred.

  • Reasonable suspicion: A belief based on facts that a person is involved in criminal activity, necessary for stopping and questioning.

  • Exclusionary Rule: The principle that evidence obtained through illegal searches cannot be used in court.

Important Figures in Law Enforcement:

• Sir Robert Peel: Father of modern policing, established the "Peelian principles" which emphasized the role of the police in preventing crime and serving the public.

• August Vollmer: Advocate for police professionalism, educational standards, and the introduction of scientific crime investigation methods.

Police Leadership Styles:

• Authoritarian: Centralized decision-making with little input from subordinates.

• Democratic: More collaboration, input from subordinates is encouraged.

• Laissez-faire: Minimal direct control, allowing subordinates to make decisions independently.

Police Recruits & Training:

• Changes in Police Recruits: Increased diversity in gender, ethnicity, and education levels.

• Training: Focus on both legal knowledge and hands-on skills such as use of force, communication, and problem-solving.

Theories & Practices:

• Broken Windows Theory: Suggests that addressing minor infractions and maintaining order prevents more serious crimes from occurring.

• Use of Discretion: Officers must often make judgment calls about when to enforce the law, often balancing between legal requirements and practical concerns.

• The Right to Stop and Question Suspects: Officers can stop and question a person based on reasonable suspicion, but not arrest without probable cause.

Communication in Law Enforcement:

• Flow of Communication: Effective communication is critical for coordinating efforts within law enforcement agencies.

• Special Problems with Communications: Includes barriers such as language, technology failures, and miscommunication between departments.

• Effective Communication: Officers need strong verbal and written communication skills, especially when reporting incidents and working with the community.

Health Impacts on Law Enforcement:

• Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease on Law Enforcement: Officers must be aware of how dementia or Alzheimer’s symptoms could affect suspects and interactions in the field.

Evidence & Legal Terms:

• Preponderance of Evidence vs. Reasonable Suspicion:

  • Preponderance of Evidence: The standard in civil cases where the evidence tips in favor of one party.

  • Reasonable Suspicion: The standard for stopping and questioning a suspect, lower than probable cause.

• Witnesses: People who can provide testimony based on their observations related to a crime.

Specialized Patrol Methods:

• Stealth Patrol Methods: Undercover and plainclothes patrols designed to blend in and detect crime without alerting suspects.

• Backbone of Law Enforcement: Patrol officers are considered the backbone of police departments, performing essential duties like crime prevention, traffic control, and responding to calls.

Legal Issues:

• Terry v. Ohio: A U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled police can stop and frisk individuals based on reasonable suspicion, without probable cause.

• Miranda Warnings: Legal requirement for officers to inform suspects of their rights before interrogation (right to remain silent, right to an attorney).

Polygraph & Confessions:

• Polygraph Usage: A tool used in investigations to detect deception; however, polygraph results are typically inadmissible in court.

• Admissible Confessions: Confessions must be voluntary, and obtained in compliance with the law, especially after the Miranda warning.

Searches and Seizures:

• Legal Searches: Searches must meet constitutional standards, typically requiring a warrant based on probable cause, unless there are exceptions (e.g., consent, plain view).

• Exceptions to Search Warrant Requirements: Includes arrests, consent, exigent circumstances, and vehicle searches.

Less-Lethal Technology:

• Less-Lethal Technology: Tools such as Tasers, bean bag rounds, and rubber bullets are used to subdue suspects without causing fatal injuries.

Police Structure:

• Police Organizations: The structure of police departments often includes specialized units (e.g., homicide, vice, SWAT) to address specific crime types.

• Patrol: Routine patrol remains the foundation of police operations, but approaches like community policing and problem-solving policing have gained prominence.

Police & Community Policing:

• Community Policing: Focus on building relationships with community members, working together to identify problems and solutions.

Important Legal Cases:

• Wickersham Commission: A commission that investigated police misconduct and the treatment of prisoners, leading to several reforms.

• Ernesto Miranda: The man behind the Miranda v. Arizona case, which led to the Miranda warnings.

Corruption & Politics in Policing:

• Corruption: Includes bribery, abuse of power, and other illegal activities by officers that undermine trust in the police.

• Patronage: A system where political connections influence hiring and promotions in police departments.

• Political Era: A period when police were highly influenced by political interests and patronage systems.

Local, State, and Federal Police Agencies:

• Police Agencies: Includes local (municipal), state (highway patrol, state police), and federal agencies (FBI, DEA).

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Established by J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI investigates federal crimes and national security matters.

Flashcards for Test 1 Study Guide

Flashcard 1

Q: What is the significance of Sir Robert Peel in modern policing?
A: He is known as the father of modern policing and established the Peelian Principles, emphasizing that the police should prevent crime, maintain public order, and serve the public.

Flashcard 2

Q: What is the Broken Windows Theory?
A: The theory suggests that addressing minor infractions (like vandalism) prevents more serious crimes by maintaining order in communities.

Flashcard 3

Q: What is Police Discretion?
A: It refers to the power police officers have to make decisions based on their judgment in the enforcement of laws, like when to arrest, stop, or question someone.

Flashcard 4

Q: What was the outcome of Terry v. Ohio?
A: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police can stop and frisk individuals based on reasonable suspicion, not necessarily probable cause.

Flashcard 5

Q: What are Miranda Warnings?
A: The rights that must be read to a suspect before they are interrogated, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Flashcard 6

Q: What is the Exclusionary Rule?
A: A legal principle that prevents evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures from being used in court.

Flashcard 7

Q: What is the difference between a Legal Arrest and an Illegal Seizure?
A: A legal arrest occurs when an officer has probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, while an illegal seizure occurs without probable cause or a warrant.

Flashcard 8

Q: What are less-lethal weapons used in law enforcement?
A: Tools like Tasers, bean bags, and rubber bullets designed to subdue suspects without causing fatal injury.

Flashcard 9

Q: What is Community Policing?
A: A strategy that emphasizes building strong relationships between the police and the community to prevent crime and address social issues.

Flashcard 10

Q: What are Polygraph Tests used for in law enforcement?
A: Polygraph tests measure physiological responses to determine whether a person is being truthful, though the results are typically inadmissible in court.

Flashcard 11

Q: What are the duties of a patrol officer?
A: Patrol officers are responsible for crime prevention, responding to emergencies, traffic control, conducting investigations, and interacting with the community.

Flashcard 12

Q: What is the role of the FBI in federal law enforcement?
A: The FBI investigates federal crimes, including terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and civil rights violations.

Flashcard 13

Q: What is the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment?
A: A study that found that routine preventive patrol did not have a significant impact on crime rates but could affect perceptions of police effectiveness.

Flashcard 14

Q: What is the significance of the Wickersham Commission?
A: It was a study of police practices and misconduct in the early 20th century, leading to reforms in the police system.

Flashcard 15

Q: What is the role of witnesses in a criminal investigation?
A: Witnesses provide testimony based on what they observed during or after a crime, which can be critical in solving cases.

Flashcard 16

Q: What does the term "Preponderance of Evidence" refer to?
A: The standard of proof in civil cases where the evidence tips in favor of one party.

Flashcard 17

Q: What is an example of a special problem in police communication?
A: Language barriers or the use of outdated technology that can hinder clear communication between officers or with the community.

Flashcard 18

Q: What is the purpose of the Terry stop and frisk?
A: It allows officers to stop and search a person based on reasonable suspicion, primarily for weapons or other dangerous items.

Flashcard 19

Q: What is the political era of policing?
A: The period in which police were heavily influenced by political patronage, with officers being hired and promoted based on political connections rather than merit.

Flashcard 20

Q: What is a major responsibility of patrol officers?
A: To maintain public safety, deter crime, and respond to calls for service from the community.

Flashcard 21

Q: What are some factors to consider when developing a police department?
A: Values, mission, diversity, community engagement, and departmental structure.

Flashcard 22

Q: What does the term "probable cause" mean?
A: It is the reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that a person is involved in it, justifying an arrest or search.

Flashcard 23

Q: What is the significance of the Metropolitan Police Act?
A: It was a law in the UK that established modern policing, influencing law enforcement systems worldwide.

Flashcard 24

Q: What are the key principles of August Vollmer’s reform?
A: Vollmer advocated for police education, scientific crime investigation, and the professionalization of police forces.

Flashcard 25

Q: What is the role of polygraphs in investigations?
A: Used as a tool for detecting deception, although they are not typically admissible as evidence in court.

Flashcard 26

Q: What are the exceptions to search warrant requirements?
A: Arrests, consent, plain view, exigent circumstances, and vehicle searches.

Flashcard 27

Q: What are the key duties of a police recruit?
A: To undergo training, learn procedures, and develop skills related to law enforcement and public service.

1. Demography

2. Who are witnesses – I briefly mentioned it, but we can expand.

3. Stealth patrol methods – I mentioned patrol techniques, but this specific one can be added.

The flow of communication and special problems with communications – I did