Police Systems and Practices

Class

Upon completion of this course the student will have basic knowledge of the administrative and organizational aspects of law enforcement agencies. Specific topics will include police politics, organizational theory, human resource management, police stress, and labor relations. Three hours lecture per week.

Course Learning Objectives

The student will accomplish the following competencies:

Identify and describe internal and external political forces that impact upon policing
Demonstrate knowledge of various management theories and organizational structure
Demonstrate knowledge of supervision, management, man power distribution, and personnel issues
Demonstrate knowledge of causes and effects of police stress including internally and externally induced stress
Demonstrate knowledge of problems concerning labor relations including unions, associations, collective bargaining, and disciplinary matters

Required Textbooks

An Introduction to Policing, Dempsey, 9^th Edition, Cengage Publishing, ISBN: 9781337558754

ISBN-13

9781337558754

Evaluation Standards

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

0-59 F

Course Progression

A. The student will identify and describe internal and external political forces that impact upon policing
1. City Council
2. County Commission
3. Mayor/City Manager
4. Formal vs. informal organization
5. Legislature
6. Courts

B. The student will demonstrate knowledge of various management theories and organization structure
1. Scientific management theories
2. Participative management theories
3. Organization structures for large, medium, and small departments

C. The student will demonstrate knowledge of supervision, management, manpower distribution, and personnel issues
1. Span of control
2. Lines of authority
3. Layout of beats, zones, and shifts
4. Promotions, demotions, and transfers

D. The student will demonstrate knowledge of causes and effects of police stress including internally and externally induced stress
1. Shift rotation
2. Diet
3. Post traumatic stress disorder
4. Marital problems
5. Supervisors
6. Courts
7. Drugs/Alcohol
8. Suicide
9. Medical problems related to stress

E. The student will demonstrate knowledge of problems concerning labor relations including unions, associations, collective bargaining, and disciplinary matters
1. Relationship of unions and associations with administration
2. Legal and practical issues in collective bargaining
3. Legal and practical issues in disciplinary matters

Instructional Methods

Lectures, discussions, films, assignments, quizzes, case law research, guest lecturers

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.

Hope Statement

Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).

Student Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights Statement:

The student shall retain all rights to work created in conjunction with the instructional process and/or while using college technology resources.

SCH Hours

Revised

Fall 2023