Certainly! Here are concise definitions for each term in a study guide format:
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Officer Discretion:
- Definition: Authority granted to law enforcement officers to make decisions based on their judgment and the circumstances at hand, rather than strictly following rigid rules or protocols.
Racial Profiling:
- Definition: Targeting individuals for suspicion of criminal activity based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin, rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Bias Policing:
- Definition: Law enforcement practices that exhibit prejudice or favoritism toward certain groups or individuals based on personal biases, rather than objective criteria.
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies:
- U.S. Marshals: Responsible for federal court security, apprehending fugitives, and protecting witnesses.
- Secret Service: Primarily tasked with protecting high-level officials and investigating financial crimes.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Enforces federal laws, conducts counterterrorism operations, and handles cybercrime.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Oversees national security, immigration enforcement, and disaster response.
Corruption and History of Policing:
- Definition: Unethical or illegal conduct within law enforcement agencies; the evolution of policing practices over time.
Sheriffs:
- Definition: Elected officials who oversee law enforcement in a county or similar jurisdiction, with responsibilities such as serving legal documents and managing jails.
Police Officer Role:
- Definition: Enforce laws, maintain public order, protect lives and property, investigate crimes, and assist the community.
SARA Model:
- Definition: Problem-solving framework used in policing, consisting of Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment stages to address community issues and crime.
Excessive Force:
- Definition: Use of more physical force than reasonably necessary, potentially leading to injury or death.
Political Era and Reform Era:
- Definition: Historical phases in policing, characterized by political ties and corruption in the political era, and efforts toward professionalization and standards in the reform era.
Different Divisions of a Police Department:
- Definition: Various specialized units within a police department, such as patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and administrative divisions.
Education Policing Methods (POP, ILP, COP):
- Definition: Problem-Oriented Policing (POP), Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP), and Community-Oriented Policing (COP) are strategies focused on addressing community issues, using intelligence, and building relationships, respectively.
Zero Tolerance, Crime Mapping, Crime Analysis:
- Definition: Zero Tolerance - Strict penalties for minor offenses; Crime Mapping - Visualizing crime patterns; Crime Analysis - Analyzing crime data for strategic purposes.
Organizational Styles (Service, Watchman, Legalistic, Realistic):
- Definition: Different approaches to policing, emphasizing community service, maintaining order, strict law enforcement, or pragmatic solutions.
Policing Culture and Subculture:
- Definition: Shared values, beliefs, and norms within police departments, including loyalty and camaraderie.
FTO, PIO, AFIS, CODIS, CPTED, ICS, CompStat:
- Definition: Field Training Officer (FTO), Public Information Officer (PIO), Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Incident Command System (ICS), CompStat - Management tool for crime data analysis.
CSI Effect:
- Definition: Unrealistic expectations regarding forensic evidence in criminal cases, influenced by media portrayals like CSI TV shows.
Discrimination:
- Definition: Unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Hiring Practices for Police Officers:
- Definition: Background checks, physical tests, interviews to assess qualifications and suitability.
Merit/Personnel Boards:
- Definition: Panels evaluating candidates for law enforcement positions based on merit and qualifications.
Stressors for Police:
- Definition: Factors impacting mental and emotional well-being of officers, such as high-risk situations and public scrutiny.
Legal Terms (Plain View Doctrine, Reasonableness, etc.):
- Definition: Legal standards and principles guiding police actions and procedures.
Misfeasance, Nonfeasance, Malfeasance:
- Definition: Different types of actions or inactions by public officials, with legal and ethical implications.
Kickback/Shakedown/Bribery:
- Definition: Illegal practices involving payments or favors for favorable treatment.
FISA, PATRIOT Act:
- Definition: Legislation related to national security and intelligence gathering.
Organized Crime, White Collar Crime, Transnational Crime:
- Definition: Various types of criminal activities, including organized crime, financial crimes, and international crime networks