Give an example of jurisdiction regarding the enforcement of criminal law? What is the relationship of the various jurisdictions (local, state, federal) as applied to criminal law? What would happen if jurisdiction was not clearly defined? Explain.
There are different jurisdictions for a reason, jurisdiction is the authority given to a legal body or to a political leader to adjudicate and enforce legal matters. The term is also used to denote the geographical area or subject-matter to which such authority applies. The different jurisdictions are local state and federal. An example of jurisdiction pertaining to law enforcement is a crime occurs in the state of Arizona and the suspect flees to California, the arrest warrant for the individual is issued. A regular patrol officer in California happens to have contact with the fleeing suspect and he makes an arrest. The patrolman from California then starts the process of extradition or handing the suspect over to Arizona authorities as the crime occurred in Arizona’s jurisdiction. My impression of the relationship between local state and federal agencies is that state and local usually get along fine and the federal is somewhat disliked by state and local. I have read about superiority issues with the federal level of law enforcement but I am not sure of this as a fact. What I have read previously is that the federal agencies such as the FBI like to come in and take over situations and “throw their weight around.” If jurisdiction was not clearly defined I am sure there would be more fighting than there already is regarding who is in charge and who is responsible in regards to criminal cases. The simple crimes and lesser offenses may be mismanaged along with the more serious crimes, it would be a mess without clear jurisdictional boundaries.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
CRIMINAL LAW
Criminal law is the body of law dealing with crimes and their punishment. Criminal law is a broad concept and for the most part means dealing with those in society that has broken the law and is therefore deemed criminals. Criminal can be used to define such a broad spectrum of offenses. Criminal laws are set in place by lawmakers to protect ... Read Moresociety and people that are obeying the laws established by our society. The constitution contains safeguards of our rights that were meant to protect the law abiding citizens of the United States, as the constitution assumes lawfulness. The back log of criminal cases is a tough issue to tackle or solve. The court system is overwhelmed as is the corrections system but there are few ideas to remedy that that everyone can agree on. Some of the minor offenses could be discarded and some say that legalization and regulation of narcotics may be part of the solution to the overload of cases. I tend to disagree; the position of drugs may be a losing battle but not something I feel we should abandon as it sends the wrong message to the children. Criminal law is going to remain overloaded in my opinion, the one relief I can agree with is to shorten the process of the appeals on death penalty cases. The process itself takes too long to be an affective deterrent anyways to other criminals. If we had a swift system of punishment in place this could potentially unclog the court systems a bit. The people that have already been sentenced to death should have that carried out pretty quickly.
The words i would say
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
MY miserable life story as per my stupid counselor
I cant shake all the anger i have for him the lost time the abandonment, the therapist brought up alot of hard things that i have been through today he is asking me to do a timeline of all the traumatic occurrences in my life, this hurts, my birthmom was 18 when she had me her parents took me away from her due to her bad choices drugs men ect I was given up for adoption at age 2 and brought to AZ . My parents couldn't have kids and i was pretty spoiled but i knew my adopted mother never wanted me....she hated me i think for being there she left my dad when i was 12 i think I was raped at 13 by a drunk 20 something guy when i snuck out and drank with a friend. I married my first husband was 4 yrs older and Arab i was pregnant with the 10 yr old and he wanted me to have an abortion but i didnt so he married me and he left when she was 4 months old, just left i came home from my great uncles funeral and found his wedding ring on the counter and that was that. He sees her on the weekend and pays child support so i guess i am lucky......I met my PA H when Jasmine was 1 yr old and i was in college, we met at a house party i was never supposed to be at, we had sex to soon and one night he trapped me in his room and tried to talk me into performing oral on him even though i did not want to and i ran off. We stayed together against everyone's advice and 3 yrs later i had our first daughter together my 2nd child ..............during the pregnancy my H choked me almost to the point of black out during the course of a fight, while i was 5 months pregnant with her my biological mom committed suicide and i went to clean out her place, I think she felt so guilty for being a horrible mom and leaving me and my 2 younger brothers i have always spent my life trying to prove i was nothing like her......our first daughter was 7 months old and my PA H was out of work and being a jerk in my home that i let him move into he tried to hold my child away from me and i bashed him over the head with a mikasa crystal picture frame and he was hurt bad, i knew i was wrong and regretted it right when i did it but i was arrested for domestic abuse, rightfully so. After that we seperated for a few weeks and he was gracious enough to let me try to get counseling and make it work. I became pregnant with our 2nd child together when the first was just over 1 and she was born we were doing okay i guess I got the call when she was 3 weeks old that my mom that raised me adoptive mom had died of breast cancer I had not spoke to her since my bio moms suicide and the last thing i asked my adoptive mom was " do u regret adopting me?" she said yes she was never meant to have a child. My stepmom the dentist that my dad married when i was18 was in the picture now and hated me as well. I got pregnant again when the 3rd baby was only 9 months old and it was finally a boy and i really wanted to be married before giving birth again i knew this would be the last child. I pressured my H to marry me and he gave in...........big mistake...........we married our son was born and 3 days later my stepmom died of breast cancer also. My father has also been battling cancer of the liver colon and pancreas it is E cell cancer since 1996 and it forced him to retire from dentistry. I have been through seeing him go through so much and scared to death everytime he has another procedure, fortunately he goes to the Mayo clinic 2 times a month and they keep him alive .........Then our son was just 4 months old and i knew something was up with the H and he seemed different he spoke of a new girl at work and i had bells going off at this time my dad was also in for another procedure and i was worried that might be the one that would take him I opened up to my H and said i am scared he reassured me and said i will never leave u or hurt u jamie.......a few nights later i am laying in bed with H and the phone rings it is a man and he tells me to be quiet he is going to help me and to listen carefully, he proceeds to play a voicemessage that is my husband's voice saying "hey baby she just left again I miss u I cant wait to see u tomorrow" I could see my H get up from bed and get real nervous. I am calmer than i ever thought i would be in this situation i asked him questions he said she was 23 and a stripper that took a position at his company and had 3 kids with 3 guys and that had not had sex or any physical stuff just he was confused and cared about her.......he immediately made it clear he "needed" to go see her and explain i am upset and told him if he left it was done ( our marriage) and i begged him to stay I knew on some level he would have sex with her if he left that night, he said he would be back in an hour and left me holding our son........he did not come back i spoke to him in the morning and asked if he slept with her he did 3 times with no protection...I let him come home and cooked him dinner WTF is wrong with me? He swears that was it and he never saw her again after that i kept talking to her on the phone and even found where she lived i spoke to her a few months after the night and she swears he had come back after that night. I am so numb and hurt I just want to get this out...........the porn is the icing on the cake after the affair i figured he would be humble and grateful, he was prideful and arrogant and still looked at porn not just porn but teen 18 barely legal always making me feel like i am not young enough good enough anyway..................we did counseling with my godfather who married us and was a christian fam counselor and pastor it did nothing and he still looked at porn up until june he claims a few times but whatever, I feel so dead inside and my current counseling is like ripping the scabs off of my whole damn life! I don't know what is up or down or right or wrong anymore i feel dead inside.
Where my help comes from
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Monday, September 28, 2009
He is a tool
I am done with this he only cares about his rights and what access he will have to the internet i cant take anymore crap! he doesn't even get it .....he says "you will be happy without me" but the truth is i don't know how to be happy now he has done so much damage.....all the lies all my time he just wasted it....he took what should have been such a happy time for us and soiled it......I can't have it back.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Police job description
The job of a police officer is a valuable position in our society. I will highlight the requirements that an individual must possess to hold this prestigious position. Certain criteria must be used as a standard in hiring individuals that are sworn to uphold the laws of our states. Police officers have a power that ordinary citizens do not have and must be of great character to be trusted with this power.
Currently most agencies require a GED or high school diploma as prerequisites for becoming a police officer. Higher education or criminal justice classes are considered a plus for those applying. I believe that candidates for the position of police officer should have at least a two year degree in general studies. The reason I feel that college is necessary is to provide the officer more education specifically in the area of writing. Most police officers must be able to write detailed legible reports. Most of the pertinent skills will be acquired on the job out in the field as a police officer. The lowest 10 percent earned by police and sheriff's patrol officers in 2004 was less than $26,910 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,880. (Montaldo, 2009)
There is no discrimination regarding male versus female officers, females have proven to be worthy officers throughout the years. An applicant for police officer should ideally be in good physical shape and take care of themselves. Certain tests may also be done such as a lie detector and personality and behavioral tests to ensure the applicant is not interested in becoming an officer for devious reasons.
A thorough background check must be performed on the applicant to make sure that the applicant does not have any serious offenses on their record such as drug charges or domestic violence. The average age for applicants falls between the ages of 20 and 35. A series of physical tests are administered during the hiring process. This is to evaluate an applicant's strength, endurance and dexterity. Examples of the tests includes timed pushups, sit ups, a 1.5-mile run, arm and leg endurance tests, a 75-yard 'pursuit run,' and a side-step test. (Montaldo, 2009)
There are many reasons that people are drawn to the role as a police officer, general disdain for the rule breakers in our society, continuing a family tradition, and upholding social order while protecting the public. The job description of police officer has many different duties and obligations that come with the job. Police officers are looked up to as role models by most of society and they are the first people we call when we are in danger. Police as a whole generally stick together and have a sense of brotherhood about them, they have seen things that the common citizen may never see.
Being a police officer is more than just a job, I believe it is a lifestyle that most officers hold in high regard. Officers are not only upholders of the law but public servants, which means they do what needs to be done and so often more than they are required to do. I cannot put in to words how much respect I have for these men and women that put themselves in harm’s way daily so I can be safe. I can go about my daily life knowing that if I need them they will be there and keep myself and my family safe. Being an officer is not a job for everyone, but it is important to teach our children to respect not only the laws but the men and women that uphold them.
Currently most agencies require a GED or high school diploma as prerequisites for becoming a police officer. Higher education or criminal justice classes are considered a plus for those applying. I believe that candidates for the position of police officer should have at least a two year degree in general studies. The reason I feel that college is necessary is to provide the officer more education specifically in the area of writing. Most police officers must be able to write detailed legible reports. Most of the pertinent skills will be acquired on the job out in the field as a police officer. The lowest 10 percent earned by police and sheriff's patrol officers in 2004 was less than $26,910 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,880. (Montaldo, 2009)
There is no discrimination regarding male versus female officers, females have proven to be worthy officers throughout the years. An applicant for police officer should ideally be in good physical shape and take care of themselves. Certain tests may also be done such as a lie detector and personality and behavioral tests to ensure the applicant is not interested in becoming an officer for devious reasons.
A thorough background check must be performed on the applicant to make sure that the applicant does not have any serious offenses on their record such as drug charges or domestic violence. The average age for applicants falls between the ages of 20 and 35. A series of physical tests are administered during the hiring process. This is to evaluate an applicant's strength, endurance and dexterity. Examples of the tests includes timed pushups, sit ups, a 1.5-mile run, arm and leg endurance tests, a 75-yard 'pursuit run,' and a side-step test. (Montaldo, 2009)
There are many reasons that people are drawn to the role as a police officer, general disdain for the rule breakers in our society, continuing a family tradition, and upholding social order while protecting the public. The job description of police officer has many different duties and obligations that come with the job. Police officers are looked up to as role models by most of society and they are the first people we call when we are in danger. Police as a whole generally stick together and have a sense of brotherhood about them, they have seen things that the common citizen may never see.
Being a police officer is more than just a job, I believe it is a lifestyle that most officers hold in high regard. Officers are not only upholders of the law but public servants, which means they do what needs to be done and so often more than they are required to do. I cannot put in to words how much respect I have for these men and women that put themselves in harm’s way daily so I can be safe. I can go about my daily life knowing that if I need them they will be there and keep myself and my family safe. Being an officer is not a job for everyone, but it is important to teach our children to respect not only the laws but the men and women that uphold them.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
feelings
I can relate to a lot of that what should have been a happy time right after we got married turned into him sleeping with a coworker and me begging him not to go out the door holding our 4 month old son....I have a lot of anger he claims to have only been physically unfaithful that one night but i don't buy that, I can't explain why i don't other than woman's intuition, but i will never get that "honeymoon" phase of being newly married back it's soiled and the joy of finally giving him his son after we already had 3 girls........gone are those feelings and that time, the only positive coming to mind right now is that we are young he just turned 30 i just turned 29 and if we stay together there is more time to make new memories, but i will never have my time back there is no way around that
does anybody hear her
She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
If Judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
Never even met her
(Never Even Met her)
(OHHHHH)Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? (Does anybody hear her?) Does anybody see? (Does anybody See?)
Does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple (shadow of her steeple)
With all the lost and lonely people (Lost and Lonely people)
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
If Judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
Never even met her
(Never Even Met her)
(OHHHHH)Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? (Does anybody hear her?) Does anybody see? (Does anybody See?)
Does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple (shadow of her steeple)
With all the lost and lonely people (Lost and Lonely people)
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WHY
Why is he such a jerk, he is "not accountable" in his opinion and a "victim of his addiction" he makes me want to throw up. I am so sick of this junk...........I am really starting to wish I never met him and that is sad for me ......I have alot of anger still and just want something healthy for myself and my kids ...I dont know I just want somebody to tell me i dont have to stay with this jerk.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
For Better or worse?
I have made a decision I am married for better or worse whatever that means, I am really trying.......I have certain religious beliefs that demand of me to honor my vows even though my dear husband hasn't.......I don't know exactly something to do with long suffering and hopefully God will look at me and say I did the right thing and that is all that matters I know I am not perfect but my hope is this; I wish to work on all the damage created by the lies, porn and actual affair that he had. I wish to heal for myself and stay married to him, I wish for him to address his problems and start upholding his marriage vows; we will have to start over as friends and see what happens the damage has been going on for 9 years and will take time to overcome. I hope this is not in vain, time will tell.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
How does the use of police discretion influence community perceptions?
How does the use of police discretion influence community perceptions?
Police have the ability to make choices everyday that can have a positive or negative impact on an individual. Discretion is the freedom to act or judge on one’s own. To me that means there are obvious rules and guidelines but you must know by use of common sense which rules are flexible and which are not. Police officers are looked at with intense scrutiny these days and must always act in a way that is a good representation of their department, community and family. Now there are certain violations that may occur such as DUI or felony speeding that may require action to be taken by the officer making contact. There are more simple “mistakes” that individuals make where the officer could find it within his or her discretion to give a warning. For an average law abiding citizen just trying to go through life and maybe was going a bit to fast on the freeway or did not realize their tags were due for renewal the officer’s decision to use discretion and go easy may really make the person’s day. In turn improving the way that individual looks at police officers. Each officer is different and may have pet peeves about certain violations, community perceptions are important because the department wants the majority of the community to be supportive.
Police have the ability to make choices everyday that can have a positive or negative impact on an individual. Discretion is the freedom to act or judge on one’s own. To me that means there are obvious rules and guidelines but you must know by use of common sense which rules are flexible and which are not. Police officers are looked at with intense scrutiny these days and must always act in a way that is a good representation of their department, community and family. Now there are certain violations that may occur such as DUI or felony speeding that may require action to be taken by the officer making contact. There are more simple “mistakes” that individuals make where the officer could find it within his or her discretion to give a warning. For an average law abiding citizen just trying to go through life and maybe was going a bit to fast on the freeway or did not realize their tags were due for renewal the officer’s decision to use discretion and go easy may really make the person’s day. In turn improving the way that individual looks at police officers. Each officer is different and may have pet peeves about certain violations, community perceptions are important because the department wants the majority of the community to be supportive.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Police Officers Interviews
On the day they had to fall,
they gave their all.
Wearing brown or blue,
they were protecting and serving you.
It started as just a simple call
and ended in tragedy.
"Officer down," the radio announced.
At the scene the brave man pronounced dead,
The killers had fled.
Another widow cries,
yet no one tries
to stop the killing
of these men and women willing
to risk their lives every day for you.
Always remember the law enforcement
that gave their all,
on the day they had to fall.
(Heckenkamp , 1999)
For this assignment I interviewed two officers on the Phoenix Arizona police force. I interviewed a male and a female officer.
Date: August 25 2009
Location of the Interview: Phone interview
Gender: Female
Age: 31
Race/ethnicity: Hispanic/white
Years of experience: 9
Rank: Officer
Education: 2 year degree in general studies
Type of agency: Maricopa County Deputy Constable
1. Why did you become a police officer? Did you find what you expected? Why or why not? The reason I joined law enforcement was the great deal of benefits, opportunity for promotion and advancement and the flexibility of my job. It is what I expected but there are a lot of politics involved in the agency.
2. What are the worst parts of your job and why? The position I hold now is different than the position I held at the beginning of my employment. Now I am an officer of the court, judges have signed orders that I have to carry out; there is a lot of confrontation and high emotion and stress involved in eviction and dealing with people at that low point of their lives.
3. What are the best parts of your job and why? I like contacting people and I am good at it. Fellow employees that are good at what they do make my job enjoyable. The flexibility of my schedule as a wife and mother is one of the best parts of my job.
4. Would you recommend policing as a career to others and why? I have before and still do, it is a good career that will always be in demand so it offers stability and security as well.
5. Based on your experience what level of education do you recommend police applicants should be required to possess? At least a two year general degree to prepare the potential officer for writing and public speaking. The police academy covers most of the on the job training that the officer will need.
6. Have you ever regretted becoming a police officer? Yes, but the feeling did not last forever. My friend and dear partner was killed on the job, it makes it hard and you have to stop and think about your own family.
7. How did your family feel about your decision to be an officer? My father was proud and my mother was a little apprehensive. My husband was completely supportive. Some family members and friends make a judgment based on what you do and somehow think that you have changed since you became an officer.
8. What advice do you have for a potential police officer? Always think of your own safety so you can make it home to your family. Stay physically and mentally healthy remember all the rules of officer safety and be a good role model. I want to make my children proud, my mom always told me to treat people as if you were dealing with your grandmother, be nice and thoughtful as well.
Maria is a great example of what an asset female police officers can be she is physically in shape very intelligent and seems to maintain a great balance of professional life and family life.
Date: September 1, 2009
Location of the Interview: Phone interview
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Race/ethnicity: Hispanic
Years of experience: 4
Rank: Patrol
Education: Some college
Type of agency: Municipal
1. Why did you become a police officer? Did you find what you expected? I became a police officer mainly due to family history it was a tradition I was expected to follow, it was all that I expected it would be.
2. What are the worst parts of your job and why? The worst parts of my job are when I see bad things happen to families or children, just tragedies that happen to good people.
3. What are the best parts of your job and why? Being able to apprehend people that are breaking the law and stop children from being hurt are the best parts of my job.
4. Would you recommend policing as a career to others and why? I defiantly recommend policing to anyone serious about helping others, the security and pay and benefits are also great.
5. Based on your experience what level of education do you recommend police applicants should be required to possess? Some college is probably enough.
6. Have you ever regretted becoming a police officer? No
7. How did your family feel about your decision to be an officer? My family was all supportive and proud of my decision to become a police officer. My mom is already used to the lifestyle of a police officer’s family she dealt with it for years with my father being an officer.
8. What advice do you have for a potential police officer? Gaining a lot of life experience before becoming a police officer will benefit you in the future, make sure you are willing to work with others.
Officer Ortega sounds like a great police officer as well though I have never met him. Ortega sounds like he has a pretty set plan for his career in law enforcement. The areas where Maria and Ortega differ are in years of experience, required education, and gender. Maria has more years of experience under her belt which may make her perception of her job different. Maria has also lost a partner which could have influenced her in a negative way but did not. The required education that Maria recommends is more extensive than Ortega’s recommendation. I have to agree with Maria on the education, I feel that at minimum the applicant should have a two year degree in college. The rest of the necessary skills can be learned at the academy and on the job.
This assignment was a great insight into the thoughts of police officers for me. I have always had a great deal of respect for officers, just the amount of emotional pressure they must be under seeing things that the general public does not want to see or deal with. Police officers take on the task and oath to protect us and uphold the laws. Some people see officers as the “bad guys” that are going to write them a ticket or give them an attitude, but for the most part I believe that people who become officers do it for the right reasons. Their jobs require a lot of sacrifice and dedication to the laws of our land and citizens as well.
they gave their all.
Wearing brown or blue,
they were protecting and serving you.
It started as just a simple call
and ended in tragedy.
"Officer down," the radio announced.
At the scene the brave man pronounced dead,
The killers had fled.
Another widow cries,
yet no one tries
to stop the killing
of these men and women willing
to risk their lives every day for you.
Always remember the law enforcement
that gave their all,
on the day they had to fall.
(Heckenkamp , 1999)
For this assignment I interviewed two officers on the Phoenix Arizona police force. I interviewed a male and a female officer.
Date: August 25 2009
Location of the Interview: Phone interview
Gender: Female
Age: 31
Race/ethnicity: Hispanic/white
Years of experience: 9
Rank: Officer
Education: 2 year degree in general studies
Type of agency: Maricopa County Deputy Constable
1. Why did you become a police officer? Did you find what you expected? Why or why not? The reason I joined law enforcement was the great deal of benefits, opportunity for promotion and advancement and the flexibility of my job. It is what I expected but there are a lot of politics involved in the agency.
2. What are the worst parts of your job and why? The position I hold now is different than the position I held at the beginning of my employment. Now I am an officer of the court, judges have signed orders that I have to carry out; there is a lot of confrontation and high emotion and stress involved in eviction and dealing with people at that low point of their lives.
3. What are the best parts of your job and why? I like contacting people and I am good at it. Fellow employees that are good at what they do make my job enjoyable. The flexibility of my schedule as a wife and mother is one of the best parts of my job.
4. Would you recommend policing as a career to others and why? I have before and still do, it is a good career that will always be in demand so it offers stability and security as well.
5. Based on your experience what level of education do you recommend police applicants should be required to possess? At least a two year general degree to prepare the potential officer for writing and public speaking. The police academy covers most of the on the job training that the officer will need.
6. Have you ever regretted becoming a police officer? Yes, but the feeling did not last forever. My friend and dear partner was killed on the job, it makes it hard and you have to stop and think about your own family.
7. How did your family feel about your decision to be an officer? My father was proud and my mother was a little apprehensive. My husband was completely supportive. Some family members and friends make a judgment based on what you do and somehow think that you have changed since you became an officer.
8. What advice do you have for a potential police officer? Always think of your own safety so you can make it home to your family. Stay physically and mentally healthy remember all the rules of officer safety and be a good role model. I want to make my children proud, my mom always told me to treat people as if you were dealing with your grandmother, be nice and thoughtful as well.
Maria is a great example of what an asset female police officers can be she is physically in shape very intelligent and seems to maintain a great balance of professional life and family life.
Date: September 1, 2009
Location of the Interview: Phone interview
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Race/ethnicity: Hispanic
Years of experience: 4
Rank: Patrol
Education: Some college
Type of agency: Municipal
1. Why did you become a police officer? Did you find what you expected? I became a police officer mainly due to family history it was a tradition I was expected to follow, it was all that I expected it would be.
2. What are the worst parts of your job and why? The worst parts of my job are when I see bad things happen to families or children, just tragedies that happen to good people.
3. What are the best parts of your job and why? Being able to apprehend people that are breaking the law and stop children from being hurt are the best parts of my job.
4. Would you recommend policing as a career to others and why? I defiantly recommend policing to anyone serious about helping others, the security and pay and benefits are also great.
5. Based on your experience what level of education do you recommend police applicants should be required to possess? Some college is probably enough.
6. Have you ever regretted becoming a police officer? No
7. How did your family feel about your decision to be an officer? My family was all supportive and proud of my decision to become a police officer. My mom is already used to the lifestyle of a police officer’s family she dealt with it for years with my father being an officer.
8. What advice do you have for a potential police officer? Gaining a lot of life experience before becoming a police officer will benefit you in the future, make sure you are willing to work with others.
Officer Ortega sounds like a great police officer as well though I have never met him. Ortega sounds like he has a pretty set plan for his career in law enforcement. The areas where Maria and Ortega differ are in years of experience, required education, and gender. Maria has more years of experience under her belt which may make her perception of her job different. Maria has also lost a partner which could have influenced her in a negative way but did not. The required education that Maria recommends is more extensive than Ortega’s recommendation. I have to agree with Maria on the education, I feel that at minimum the applicant should have a two year degree in college. The rest of the necessary skills can be learned at the academy and on the job.
This assignment was a great insight into the thoughts of police officers for me. I have always had a great deal of respect for officers, just the amount of emotional pressure they must be under seeing things that the general public does not want to see or deal with. Police officers take on the task and oath to protect us and uphold the laws. Some people see officers as the “bad guys” that are going to write them a ticket or give them an attitude, but for the most part I believe that people who become officers do it for the right reasons. Their jobs require a lot of sacrifice and dedication to the laws of our land and citizens as well.
Why are policy changes so difficult for police agencies to accomplish?
The text states that policy change is both desirable and imminent, but why is difficult to accomplish? The rationale for the policy change is what is often hard for the officers to understand. This is due partly to the lack of input the officers have in suggesting changes to policy. I think a lot of confusion about changes in policy and resistance towards it could be alleviated with proper communication within the department. For example, making all levels of officers feel involved in changes by some message center within the precinct that everybody has access to and letting even the beat officers know when changes of policy are being considered may make them feel like they have some input. I think letting the immediate supervisors represent the officers is a great idea. I am not in favor of the utopian style voting method, but I do believe the quality circles would benefit the individuals mostly affected by policy changes. Lastly, the implementation of policy changes needs to be done in a way that all levels of employees understand what the new policy is and what is expected from them so they may perform their job correctly.
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