Criminal Justice (CRJU)
The problems of law enforcement in a democratic society are studied. The agencies involved in the administration of law enforcement - the legislature, the police, the prosecutor, the courts, and the correctional institutions are also studied.
The course covers the basic functions of a police organization; management, communications, recruiting, training, public relations, and coordination.
Reconstruction of the sequences of a criminal act, including searching, preserving, and evaluating physical evidence including interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects.
Overview of the criminal justice system's history, development, and evolution including subsystems of police, courts, and corrections.
The course is designed to study the nature and development of criminal behavior. Emphasis is placed on an examination of the leading theories concerning the causes of crime, nature of the criminal offender, and treatment of convicted offenders. A review of the public's reaction toward crime is included.
This course is intended to prepare students for the physical rigors of the Police Academy and physical challenges of a career in criminal justice. It includes an introduction to and practice of the techniques of physical fitness necessary in law enforcement. Students will participate in stretching to increase flexibility, running to improve cardiovascular fitness, various calisthenics and weight training to increase upper and lower body strength as well as a variety of mental emotional health concepts in which to strengthen the mind body spirit connection. Overall health to include mental emotional health, diet, exercise and life span fitness are examined. The class is designed primarily to prepare students for the mandatory Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement (MCOLES) Fitness Agility Test in order to successfully be accepted into the police academy. However, all students are eligible for this course. This class will be offered winter semester. *2 credit hours/3 billed contact hours*
Analysis of cause and control of crime as well as the problems of juvenile delinquency are studied - causation, control, juvenile courts, institutions, community resources, and federal and state programs.
Principles of community policing including youth-focused activities, community-based crime prevention, reorientation of patrol, police/public accountability, and decentralizing police decision making.
This course is designed to assist the learner in enhancing their perspective of the role, functions and purpose of the police organization and management structure. The intent of the course is to integrate the learners' experiences into the larger picture of the police organization and their role in that structure as a supervisor, manager or executive. The format for this class will include readings, online & library research, and other individualized learning experiences.
History and philosophy of probation, aftercare, and other community programs for juvenile and adult offenders; function and philosophy of parole, current laws, and case studies.
Exploration of job stresses and the social value and ethics of the criminal justice process.