MODERN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES

University of San Diego

Josh Abbott

March 21, 2022

https://joabbo.weebly.com/portfolio.html

Whether it be a business or a police department, every organization must strive to stay

relevant to survive and produce the best product possible. In the age of "defunding the police," it

is more important than ever before for law enforcement agencies to show they understand the

public's concerns. Law enforcement agencies serve at the people's will and can be restructured up

to and including being dissolved. Understanding contemporary criminal justice issues are

paramount in providing the public with the information needed to show why agencies are

required. This section will present writings that offer examples of some of the issues facing

modern-day policing and provide sources, data, and strategies for meeting these challenges.

I initially began the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Master's Degree program in

September of 2020. A few months before starting this program, the world watched a video of

George Floyd having his airway constricted by a police officer and subsequently died during the

encounter. This horrific scene led to months, even years, protesting and rioting. Calls for
defunding and even dissolving police agencies were loud and unlike anything the United States

had seen prior.

During these early months of the program, I reviewed my agency's policy on this topic

and wrote a theoretical memorandum letter to my command staff. My agency does not train or

use carotid restraint techniques. Although the policy did not state as much, it effectively banned

this technique. Rather than simply not referencing it, now may be a good idea to take a vocal

stand on banning the technique. We might gain public trust and show that our agency is

progressive and actively listening to our public. I was able to use several sources from the

material provided in the learning module and from my research in such a way that although this

was a hypothetical memorandum, I feel that it is entirely realistic and could be valuable as an

actual suggestion.

Another hypothetical assignment provided data and sources that suggested identifying

officers to become dedicated Community Liaison Officers. Community Liaison Officers have

been shown as a proactive position within police departments to educate the public and bring the

public's concerns back to their agency. Evidence suggests this results in crime prevention,

improved communication with the public, and better conflict resolution. Using actual data for the

community of Central Point, I was able to make a compelling argument of the benefits such a

position could provide to the Central Point Police Department.

Again, this is an apropos topic in modern times. Many of the agencies facing the most

public backlash and calls for defunding had historically had poor communication with their

public. Although the city of Central Point did not have that sort of relationship during this

writing, the town showed evidence of further diversifying in many ways. Evidence also suggests
it is better to predict potential issues and act rather than waiting for those issues to happen and

then attempt to address them.

My final example for this topic was a paper entitled Methods for Changing Difficult

Behaviors towards the end of the program. Much of this course provided a scenario that asked

students to respond to a fictional ever-progressing series of problems. The theme of these

problems was implementing different conflict resolution strategies.

What was unique about this particular set of assignments was that we were given a script

and had to adhere to the parameters passed to us and our past response dealing with a

problematic individual. In this scenario, we find that our past self had also been challenging. We

had the likely and realistic challenge of overcoming a challenge created by ourselves and the

results of others. We had to overcome by addressing our role in the conflict and then providing

strategies to overcome the dispute as provided by reading the book Resolving Conflicts at Work:

Ten Strategies for Everyone on the Job. By doing this, I showed a critical understanding of the

material and was able to demonstrate ideas to overcome working with difficult people creatively.

We often have to overcome similar scenarios in law enforcement, even some that we have helped

create. However, there is hope that we can overcome difficulty if the individuals involved are

willing to listen and try actively.

Modern criminal justice problems require proven solutions and progressive and proactive

responses. No single strategy will work for every situation, and critical and creative thinking are

essential. But, overall, law enforcement agencies must attempt to communicate and include the

public precisely because we serve at the people's will. We are also members of the same

community we represent.