The University of Texas at TylerCriminal Justice Program

CRIJ 4333-401 and CRIJ 4333-440 Community Policing (3.0 Credit Hours)

2015 Summer 2M-Th 9:00am-10:40am

Richard C. Helfers, Ph.D. Phone: 903-566-7399Office: BUS 232 email: rhelfers@uttyler.eduOffice Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:45am-11:30am (and by appointment).

I welcome you to contact me outside of class and during my student office hours. You may email me, call my office, or contact the department and leave a message.

Course Description:What do you know about policing a community in today’s society? Is your perspective framed by popular culture from the movies and television? This course will describe the historical development of community policing. It will also introduce you to the theoretical foundations of community policing. We will emphasize how describing community policing can effectively ameliorate the problems associated with criminal behavior.

Prerequisite:There are not any specific prerequisite courses listed in the University catalog. However, this is an upper division course and you should have taken courses that familiarize yourself with the criminal justice system and policing in the United States.

Course Overview:The purpose of this course is to expose you to policing developments in the United States. You will become familiar with how agencies police within a community policing context. You will be able to intellectually discuss the role the police, citizens, businesses, non-profits, and other community stakeholders have in developing a healthy community. This is especially relevant for you today as you prepare yourself for a career in the criminal justice system or as a student of the criminal justice system.

Textbook:Miller, Hess, and Orthmann (2014). Community Policing: Partnerships for Problem Solving (7th edition). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-285-0967-35 (We will be using the coursemate package because it provides elaborate resources to assist you be prepared for our classroom discussions. You may choose to purchase the package directly from Cengage Learning. The course access code is: CM-9781285096698-0000027).

When I considered a text for this course, I examined a variety of resources and I found this one to be the best for your learning. The text is well written and easy to understand. The coursemate package also provides resources that can assist your learning and thought process beyond the assignments and discussions we will have. As a former police practitioner, I found this text to be the best option to further your learning of the criminal justice system.

Internet Access:It is imperative you have reliable internet access. If you do not have it at your residence, you will be required to spend time in the Computer Lab. This is important because I will be making important announcements in the course blackboard site and sending you emails. Also, I will post your grades in blackboard so you will have an “at a glance view” of your current standing in the course. Furthermore, the coursemate package is online that requires you to have internet access.

Course Objectives:1. Defend the importance of a mission statement and how it relates to community

oriented policing.2. Explain the weaknesses of the political era and reform/professional era of policing

and how they contribute to the success of establishing a community oriented policing philosophy in a police organization.

3. Summarize how to effectively implement community oriented policing in a police organization.

4. Argue the reasons police agencies struggle or have struggled to implement community policing.

5. Summarize the core components of community policing.6. Recommend a solution to a “real-life” police-community concern.

Overall “Big Question” we will be focused on all semester: How can the criminal justice system achieve an acceptable standard of justice in the United States? (This is a question that transcends this course and relates to all of the courses I teach; and can be used for you to be an objective and critical thinker in all criminal justice courses).

Main concepts/questions I will keep the Community Policing course content revolving around. (1) What is community policing and how does it relate to the

overall big course question? (2) How must police agencies think to effectively engage in community oriented policing? (3) What are the challenges police agencies are confronted with daily that impinge their ability to effectively engage in community oriented policing from a theoretical perspective? And, (4) if we know the challenges, how can police agencies overcome the challenges to be successful?

Attendance Policy:You should attend every class but extenuating circumstances arise that can make it difficult. In other words, life happens! If you cannot attend a class, please let me know. However, when you are not in class, you are unable to engage in the learning process and there is not any way for you to make up the session. This is similar to the workplace. You must be present to be successful and excessive absences compromises your performance.

Class Participation:I hope you actively participate in this course. I say this because I found it the best way to engage you in learning the material. It also makes the learning process more fun because everyone gets the opportunity to learn from each other. Your pre-class preparation through watching the micro lecture videos, reading the material, maximizing the use of the coursemate material, and taking the chapter quizzes will prepare you for the classroom activities.

Missed Exams/Late Assignments:Unfortunately, illnesses, deaths in the family, or other traumatic events are part of life. Such events are unwelcomed and because I understand how difficult these times are, if you contact me within 24 hours of the event and provide documentation, I will be happy to give you a make-up exam or extend an assignment deadline. However, you will not be able to get credit for any work you miss during your absence when it is an in-class exercise.

The general rule is I will not accept any late assignments. Please pay particular attention to the due dates for each assignment. All due dates are specified in the course schedule.

Student Expectations: You may be wondering what is expected of you? I have listed the minimum (basic) items that are in your best interests to adhere to because it will help you be successful in the course: Remain current with the course material. Read all the information, watch the micro lecture videos, and complete the chapter

quizzes prior to the class session. This means you should read the chapter prior to coming to class. I have heard many students do not read the material prior to class, but it is in your best interest to do so because we will have discussions related to the reading material. And, you can expect me to call on you to engage in the conversation. I may also surprise you with a quiz if I determine you are not reading.

Be an active participant in all classroom discussions and group activities.

Attend all class sessions. This is very important because each session builds upon the previous session. In other words, your success in the course depends upon your engagement in all the learning activities.

Complete all assignments, projects, and assessments. Submit all assignments on or before the due date. You should attend class on time. When you enter the classroom after the class has

begun, you become a distraction and are disrespectful to me and your peers. Send emails in the subject line: CRIJ 4333 (then list the item that is the subject) If you need additional clarification, you should be contacting me as soon as practical.

Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help.

Instructor Expectations:I believe teaching is a two-way street. Therefore, you should also have expectations of me. Here is what you can expect from me.

You should expect me to come to class prior to the start time and be prepared to engage you in the subject matter.

I will return all of your written work in a timely fashion. This means I will provide you feedback on each and every item that is graded within 48 hours.

I will also return any emails I receive from you within 48 hours.

How to Contact Me:I am very approachable. I am here to help you understand the importance of community policing in our society today. Please ask questions in class and be engaged in the discussion. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at the earliest convenience possible.

Email me with any questions you may have through my University email account. My email is rhelfers@uttyler.edu. Or, you may call my office phone at 903-566-7399. If I am not in, please leave a message.

When sending an email, please write in the subject line CRIJ 4333 (then list the item that is the subject of the email).

Evaluation Procedures:Exams and assessments are necessary for me to determine your mastery of the core concepts of the course. You will be given multiple timed assessments within this course. Your final grade will be determined by your performance on exams, quizzes, written assignments, online reflection journal postings, and the content of your classroom discussion/group participation.

Grading Rubric:A grading rubric will be provided to you in blackboard for each on-line assignment, exam, and paper. I will also provide you the rubric for any classroom activity, which includes any exam or presentation. You will be provided this prior to the activity.

Evaluation:1. Quizzes: 16%2. Final Exam: 20%3. Learning activities: 30%4. Written Assignment: 15%5. Presentation: 10% 6. Engagement in coursemate: 9%

Quizzes:You are expected to complete the reading and interactive chapter quiz in coursemate prior to the class session. The interactive quiz is fun, because after you complete the quiz you can check your answers. If you missed a question, you will be directed to what the correct answer is and where it is located in your reading material. Then, you must take the chapter quiz in blackboard. This quiz will count toward your total (overall) course grade. All quizzes are due by 8am on the date the chapter is scheduled to be discussed. So, the quiz for Chapter 2 is due by 8am on July 6th (which is the first day of class).

Final Exam:There will be a comprehensive final exam for this course.

Learning activities:These activities will be either in-class or online. There will be daily learning activities and the only way to obtain credit is to be in class. If you are not in class, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate and will receive a zero. You also need to be prepared because these activities may be individual or group centered exercises. Online activities will be weekly reflection postings.

Reflection Paper and Presentation: (25%)-paper is 15% and presentation is worth 10% You will select a song (any song, any artist) that you will be able to apply the meaning that the lyrics have to you as they relate to a community policing concept. This is an academic assignment in an academic setting. Therefore, be cognizant of the lyrics. Do not select a song that has vulgar, profane or insensitive language. See me if you have questions or concerns regarding your selection.

You will prepare a paper that describes the meaning the lyrics have as they relate to community policing. Then, you will make a presentation to the class about your song and its relationship to community policing. The paper is worth 15% of your grade and your presentation is worth 10%. You will be graded on formatting, organization, mechanics (grammar, spelling, and punctuation), quality of your analysis, and accuracy of your information.

The paper must be written in times new roman with 12 pt font. You must use 1” margins. You must number your paper at the bottom right of each page. How long? That is up to you, but it must sufficiently reflect your thoughts and illustrate you understand the concept you chose within community policing. You should also be citing sources according to the APA format. You should be citing the textbook and at least one “peer-reviewed journal article.” See me if you need guidance.

Your presentation will be graded upon your communication skills. Your demeanor, voice and visual aides. In other words, it is based upon your presentation skills

Grading Scale:A=90% and aboveB=80-89%C=70-79%D=60-69%F=<60%

Library Resource:Check out the library resource page for assistance with this course and others you are taking within the Social Sciences Department. The resource page can be accessed through http://libguides.uttyler.edu/sociology.

Technology within the Classroom:Please refrain from using your phone and laptop during class time. If you are observed using either of these and it is considered a disruption, you will be asked to leave. If this becomes a problem during the semester, phone and laptops will be barred from the classroom during our discussions.

What is Plagiarism?Plagiarism is simply using someone else’s work and presenting it as your own. You must avoid this at all costs! Your credibility is on the line. Your work product must be your own. If you are borrowing someone else’s facts, ideas or opinions without providing the individual proper credit you are stealing. In the academic world this is referred to as plagiarism and the penalty is severe. If the thought is not your own, you must cite your source to give proper credit. If you are borrowing someone else’s words, you must enclose them in quotations as well as citing the source. Plagiarism also includes you borrowing, buying or stealing someone else’s work product and presenting it as your own. DO NOT commit intellectual theft because you will compromise your academic future.

Penalties for Plagiarism Should a faculty member discover that a student has committed plagiarism, the student will receive a grade of 'F' in that course and the matter will be referred to the Honor Council for possible disciplinary action. The faculty member, however, has the right to give freshmen and sophomore students a “zero” for the assignment and to allow them to revise the assignment up to a grade of “F” (50%) if they believe that the student plagiarized out of ignorance or carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive in order to earn an unmerited grade. This option is not available to juniors, seniors, or graduate students, who cannot reasonably claim ignorance of documentation rules as an excuse.

Penalties for CheatingShould a faculty member discover a student cheating on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student will receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident must be reported to the chair of the department and to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.”

Important Information:Please refer to Student Resources for Online and Hybrid Courses page that is located in the “Getting Started” tab in the course blackboard page. This will provide you a wealth of information related to technical support, necessary skills for your success with this course, minimum technology requirements, blackboard accessibility, netiquette, and various resource links.

Tentative Course Schedule:(All quizzes are due by 8am on the day the chapter will be covered in class)

July 6 Chapter 2“Who Are the Police and What are They Expected To Do?”

July 7 Chapter 1“The Changing Nature of Policing”

July 8 Chapter 3“The Police as Facilitators to Enhance the Quality of Life in a Community”

July 9 Chapter 6“Diversity: Police Image, Actions and Community Perceptions”

July 10 Reflection Journal #1 due by 5pm

July 13 Chapter 4“Introduction to SARA”

July 14 Chapter 5“Policing is a Complex Business”

July 15 Chapter 7“Partnerships: The Community Policing Foundation”

July 16 Chapter 8 “The Police Need the Media”

July 17 Reflection Journal #2 due by 5pm

July 20 Chapter 9 “The Scientific Method and Policing”

July 21 Chapter 14 “Violence, It’s What We Really Care About”

July 22 Chapter 10 “What is Most Important to the Community?”

July 23 Chapter 12“The Neglected Part of Policing”

July 24 Reflection Journal #3 due by 5pm

July 27 Chapter 16 “What is Next for Policing?”Written Assignment is due. Upload through blackboard in a Word document

(ending in .doc or .docx) by 5pm.

July 28 Chapter 15“The Role of Local Police in the World Context”

July 29 Chapter 13“The Problematic Nature of Gangs”

July 30 Chapter 11“Drug Initiatives and Community Policing are Related”Final Exam

July 31 Reflection Journal #4 due by 5pm

August 3-6 Presentations

Students Rights and Responsibilities To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link: http://www2.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php

Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar. Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published

each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract. The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include:

Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.

Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date)

Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W” grade)

Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment

Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid

State-Mandated Course Drop Policy Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date). Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions.

Disability Services In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to cstaples@uttyler.edu

Student Absence due to Religious Observance Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.

Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.

Social Security and FERPA Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.

Emergency Exits and Evacuation: Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME. THEREFORE, YOUR ATTENDANCE AND ATTENTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN BLACKBOARD ARE CRUCIAL BECAUSE IT WILL ASSIST YOU REMAIN CURRENT ON THE MATERIAL AND KNOW WHEN THE SYLLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED.