Police, Courts & Corrections: Problem-Solving Exercises for Students & Practitioners

Police, Courts, and Corrections: Problem-Solving Scenarios for Students and Practitioners was created to assist students and criminal justice personnel with analyzing and solving issues encountered in criminal justice.

PART ONE: Focuses on issues faced by police officers and administrators. Policing is often referred to as “law enforcement,” but this only covers a part of what officers are involved with during their shifts. As an officer for many years, I have learned that most of the work involves public service, with enforcement of the law just one of the components of the service mission.

Policing is a vital part of a civilized society. As formal social control agents, officers are continuously interacting with the public in some of the most difficult and trying circumstances. As professionals, they must maintain their composure and serve the public even though they are not respected and even hated by some within society.

We need officers who are dedicated to service, are confident and ready and willing to run toward, when others run away from, danger. This first section examines some of the issues faced by officers and administrators as they move forward to serve and protect.

PART TWO: Focuses on issues faced within the court system including jury selection, sentencing, personnel selection, and treatment of victims by the legal system. Issues facing juvenile justice are also included. Selection of trained and dedicated personnel is vital in order to follow due process, based in the Bill of Rights for offenders, but also personnel who are dedicated to the victims of crime, are essential.

PART THREE: Focuses on issues faced by correctional officers, correctional administrators, probation and parole officers, and others involved in the punishment, rehabilitation, and restoration of offenders.

Correctional officers are sometimes not viewed as professionals. Their work within the jails and prisons is integral to the success of the correctional system. It is important to employ those who see their role as more than just “control,” but also as liaisons to assist in the offender’s successful completion of their sentence. Correctional officer roles are expanding to include program development and presentation, as well as providing guidance in programs such as Canine training for service dogs and at-risk shelter dogs.