Select a Police administration, system, practice or any particular policing/police issues topic/problem to define, describe the scope and consequences of the problem, and assess society’s responses to the problem (including public policies and other less formal responses). Papers should also present a clearly reasoned alternative that is supported by scholarly research.
While the following example can be modified to suit your needs, using this outline as a guide will likely result in a high quality final paper:
Title
Abstract
What is the topic problem?
Why does this problem qualify as a “criminal justice issue”?
What are the individual and social implications of this problem? Discussion of implications should be supported by accurate research data.
What do the experts say about the problem?
What have we, as a society, done about this problem? Again, consider public policies and other, less formal responses.
How is this working?
Describe an alternative.
Discuss why the alternative is, or can be, an effective response to the problem. Remember to consider negative consequences of the alternative response.
Conclude with reflections and thoughts about your chosen social problem. This is a good place to include personal opinions, assuming you wish to share them in a research paper.
Full Answer Section
What are the individual and social implications of this problem?
The individual implications of police misconduct can be severe. Victims of police misconduct may experience physical and emotional pain, financial hardship, and social stigmatization. They may also lose faith in the criminal justice system and become less likely to report crimes.
The social implications of police misconduct are also significant. When police misconduct is widespread, it can lead to increased crime rates, decreased cooperation with law enforcement, and a general feeling of fear and insecurity among residents. It can also damage the reputation of law enforcement and make it more difficult for police officers to do their jobs effectively.
What do the experts say about the problem?
Experts on police misconduct have identified a number of factors that contribute to the problem, including:
- Lack of accountability: Police officers are often shielded from discipline and prosecution for misconduct. This can create a culture of impunity where officers feel that they are above the law.
- Training and recruitment: Police officers often do not receive adequate training on how to de-escalate situations and use force appropriately. They may also be recruited from a pool of individuals who are more likely to engage in misconduct.
- Police culture: Police culture can be characterized by a sense of isolation, secrecy, and a "us versus them" mentality. This can make it difficult for officers to hold their colleagues accountable for misconduct.
What have we, as a society, done about this problem?
A number of reforms have been proposed to address the problem of police misconduct. These reforms include:
- Increasing accountability: This could be done by making it easier to file complaints against police officers, creating independent civilian review boards, and holding officers accountable for misconduct in civil court.
- Improving training: Police officers should receive more training on how to de-escalate situations, use force appropriately, and identify and address bias.
- Reforming police culture: This could involve creating more opportunities for community input into policing policies, encouraging whistleblowing, and promoting diversity within police departments.
How is this working?
Some of these reforms have been shown to be effective in reducing police misconduct. For example, studies have shown that civilian review boards can lead to a decrease in police misconduct complaints. However, other reforms, such as training on implicit bias, have had less clear results.
Describe an alternative.
One alternative to the current approach to police misconduct is to focus on prevention. This could involve:
- Early intervention: Identifying and addressing officers who are at risk of engaging in misconduct before it occurs.
- Community policing: Building relationships between police officers and the communities they serve.
- Restorative justice: Using restorative justice practices to resolve conflicts between police officers and community members.
Discuss why the alternative is, or can be, an effective response to the problem.
A focus on prevention can be an effective response to police misconduct because it addresses the root causes of the problem. By identifying and addressing officers who are at risk of engaging in misconduct, we can prevent misconduct from occurring in the first place. By building relationships between police officers and the communities they serve, we can create a culture of trust and cooperation that makes misconduct less likely. And by using restorative justice practices, we can resolve conflicts between police officers and community members in a way that promotes healing and understanding.
Conclude with reflections and thoughts about your chosen social problem.
Police misconduct is a complex problem with no easy solutions. However, by implementing a comprehensive approach that includes accountability, training, and prevention, we can make a real difference in reducing police misconduct and
Sample Answer
Title: The Impact of Police Misconduct on Public Trust and Community Safety
Abstract
Police misconduct is a serious problem that can have a devastating impact on public trust and community safety. When police officers engage in misconduct, it erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This can lead to increased crime rates, decreased cooperation with law enforcement, and a general feeling of fear and insecurity among residents.
What is the topic problem?
Police misconduct is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including excessive force, brutality, racial profiling, and corruption. These behaviors can occur in a variety of settings, including during arrests, investigations, and traffic stops.
Why does this problem qualify as a “criminal justice issue”?
Police misconduct is a criminal justice issue because it undermines the legitimacy of the criminal justice system. When people believe that the police are not trustworthy or that they are above the law, they are less likely to cooperate with law enforcement and more likely to engage in criminal activity.