Woodward Park
Modern Criminology and Criminal Justice Issues
Some of the modern-day challenges law enforcement leaders in the 21st Century face include: fighting crime while traversing through a pandemic, building and strengthening race relations within their communities while dealing with a national race relations divide, and being able to communicate successfully during a crisis. As a student in the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership program and a law enforcement leader in the 21st Century, I have had the opportunity to acquire skills that will help me lead my agency through current and future pressing law enforcement challenges.
In my first paper, Crime Dynamics, I address downward community crime trends in the City of Fresno in the 1990’s during the time known as the “Great Crime Drop” when other large municipalities were also experiencing a crime drop. I also address current increasing crime trends in the City of Fresno over the last ten years. In the paper, I present various factors that could have contributed to driving both crime trends. As a law enforcement leader in the 21st Century, it is important for me to understand that my municipality's crime trends are cyclical, part of a bigger national crime trend, and often influenced by many independent factors. As a law enforcement leader, having a better understanding of crime trends and dynamics within and outside of my municipality and understanding what factors can influence those crime trends will help me combat crime more effectively in my community.
In my second paper, Law Enforcement and Race Relations, I explain how the televised death of George Floyd left a black eye on law enforcement officers nationwide and propelled a national movement demanding for an increase in police accountability and reform. In the paper, I highlight the need for law enforcement leaders to work collectively with the community they serve, focus on their common similarities, and work together towards the common goal of living and working in a safe community. Law enforcement leaders must help officers and community members see the world through each other's eyes and attempt to understand the other parties' perspectives better. The purpose of the paper was to identify how current race relations affect crime dynamics in our communities and identify ways to rebuild the broken trust between law enforcement and the community. As a law enforcement leader, I recognize that respect, honest communication, and collaboration with the community I serve are essential tools in building a relationship with community members. I will hold my department members and myself accountable for building relationships that will strengthen public trust and police legitimacy for law enforcement officers nationwide.
In my third paper, The IMPACT Model for Law Enforcement: A Critical Application, I identify a high profile use of force case within my jurisdiction. I utilize the high profile case to analyze how the law enforcement leader applied or failed to apply the six elements of the IMPACT model. The purpose of the paper was to show my knowledge and understanding of the six elements of the IMPACT model and understand the importance of utilizing the IMPACT model elements as a law enforcement leader while responding to a high profile incident. As a law enforcement leader, I understand that having a good understanding and working knowledge of the IMPACT model will help me communicate more effectively within my agency and with community members. I will utilize the IMPACT model in future high stakes situations I face. I will also continue learning and obtaining skills throughout my career that will increase my communication competency as a law enforcement leader in the 21st Century.
In my first paper, Crime Dynamics, I address downward community crime trends in the City of Fresno in the 1990’s during the time known as the “Great Crime Drop” when other large municipalities were also experiencing a crime drop. I also address current increasing crime trends in the City of Fresno over the last ten years. In the paper, I present various factors that could have contributed to driving both crime trends. As a law enforcement leader in the 21st Century, it is important for me to understand that my municipality's crime trends are cyclical, part of a bigger national crime trend, and often influenced by many independent factors. As a law enforcement leader, having a better understanding of crime trends and dynamics within and outside of my municipality and understanding what factors can influence those crime trends will help me combat crime more effectively in my community.
In my second paper, Law Enforcement and Race Relations, I explain how the televised death of George Floyd left a black eye on law enforcement officers nationwide and propelled a national movement demanding for an increase in police accountability and reform. In the paper, I highlight the need for law enforcement leaders to work collectively with the community they serve, focus on their common similarities, and work together towards the common goal of living and working in a safe community. Law enforcement leaders must help officers and community members see the world through each other's eyes and attempt to understand the other parties' perspectives better. The purpose of the paper was to identify how current race relations affect crime dynamics in our communities and identify ways to rebuild the broken trust between law enforcement and the community. As a law enforcement leader, I recognize that respect, honest communication, and collaboration with the community I serve are essential tools in building a relationship with community members. I will hold my department members and myself accountable for building relationships that will strengthen public trust and police legitimacy for law enforcement officers nationwide.
In my third paper, The IMPACT Model for Law Enforcement: A Critical Application, I identify a high profile use of force case within my jurisdiction. I utilize the high profile case to analyze how the law enforcement leader applied or failed to apply the six elements of the IMPACT model. The purpose of the paper was to show my knowledge and understanding of the six elements of the IMPACT model and understand the importance of utilizing the IMPACT model elements as a law enforcement leader while responding to a high profile incident. As a law enforcement leader, I understand that having a good understanding and working knowledge of the IMPACT model will help me communicate more effectively within my agency and with community members. I will utilize the IMPACT model in future high stakes situations I face. I will also continue learning and obtaining skills throughout my career that will increase my communication competency as a law enforcement leader in the 21st Century.
| CrimeDynamics.pdf |
| LawEnforcementandRaceRelations.pdf |
| TheIMPACTModelforLawEnforcementACriticalApplication.pdf |