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Introduction
You have been designated by the Chief of Police to put together a presentation (power point slide show) to recruit from the local colleges and high schools. Your recruiting presentation should focus on the highlights of the community and identify the need for diversity. Consider what you know about your own community and what you feel would be necessary for Jurisville, and incorporate these ideas into your presentation.
While engaging with this activity, observe the various interaction between the Jurisville Police Department and community, and identify the qualities needed from their officers. To develop a successfull recruitment presentation, you should incorporate the aspects of justice ideology and traits vs. skills that are important in recruiting candidates that will contribute to a well-rounded, balanced police agency. You should also take notice of the levels of command (promotional opportunities) and the skills and traits demonstrated by the Officer(s) in this activity.
Reflection Activity:
Download the Recruitment Worksheet [DOCX] and document your observations about the Jurisville community and the qualities needed from their police officers.
Recruitment Worksheet
Police Department
Jurisville Police Department has 120 sworn Police Officers and a support staff of about 30 civilian positions. Recently, the City Council has passed a budget increase for the Police Chief to hire 24 new Officers or 20% of the current workforce. The City Council is concerned with the uptick in drug crimes and hate crimes and wants a police department that more reflects the community. Diversity in hiring is important to the Police Chief, while finding quality applicants with positive characteristic traits.
Officer Jones meets with a potential recruitment candidate in the Jurisville Police Presinct.
Officer Jones greats a recruitment candidate conducting research on policing.
Officer Jones:
“Hello, welcome to the Jurisville Police Department. We are excited to have you with us today and hope your time with us is informative and helps you to better understand what the Jurisville Police Department is all about.”
Recruitment Candidate:
“Thanks for having me. I’m very excited to learn what departments/units the Jurisville Police Department offers for a new police recruit.”
Officer Jones:
Walking over to a bulletin board posted in the area.
“As you can see here on our organizational chart, the Jurisville Police Department offers several specialized units for a new police officer to grow and expand their career. We have a community policing unit, a K-9 unit, SWAT team, Undercover narcotics Officers, Crime Scene Technicians, Detectives, Drone Operators, Marine Officers and much more.”
Recruitment Candidate:
“Wow, I didn’t know you guys used drones!”
Officer Jones:
“Yes – drones are one of the many new technologies we offer to help better serve our community. Drones help us to see in places that we would not be able to see from the ground. We also use drones to help find lost children or elderly citizens.”
Sergeant Tuffskin:
Walks by and snarls at Officer Jones and the Recruitment Candidate.
“Officer Jones, quit wasting time talking about drones and get back to work. There’s tickets to be written and people to be arrested.”
Fact Sheet
Jurisville Demographic Details
Jurisville, USA is a typical mid-sized city in the United States. The population of Jurisville is 180,000 people. The demographics of the community are:
Race:
55% non-hispanic white
22% Hispanic and latino
14% black
9% other races
There are various religions represented in the community.
The unemployment rate is average at about 3%.
There are 4 high schools and two community colleges within the city limits of Jurisville.
The city is a mix of industrial manufacturing plants and tourism from the 15 miles of water front on a very large lake.
Jurisville Crime Details
Jurisville has about 10 murders per year, usually associated with the drug trade, which has risen dramatically in the past 20 years.
Gang violence is also on the rise (also related to the drug trade).
Officer Jones and the Recruitment Candidate continue to walk down the hallway.
Lieutenant Smith:
Talking to another Officer about his report writing skills.
“So, when you are writing your narrative report for the breaking and entering complaint you took, you have to be concise and to the point. A police report should not have your opinion or thoughts, unless they can be supported with facts.”
Officer:
“Ok, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for taking the time to discuss this with me, Lieutenant.”
Captain Johnson walks by and posts a “Recruiting” poster on the bulletin board. The words COMPASSION, EMPATHY, CULTURAL AWARENESS are predominantly visible.
Captain Johnson:
“We are looking for well rounded, balanced Police Officers.“
Public Park
Officer Jones and the recruitment candidate stop at the community park during a ride along. There are groups of children playing, and a report of someone living in the park. Homelessness is rising in Jurisville, as many jobs have shifted out of the area and the demographics of younger workers has taken over the job market.
Two kids in the park – one of the kids is pushing the other kid and saying, “your too small to play football with us”. The kid being pushed is trying to push back and yells, “I’m faster than you”. The kids continue to push each other.
Officer Jones:
Officer Jones steps in and starts talking to both of the kids. “Hey guys, what seems to be the problem?”
Younger Kid:
“Tommy keeps telling me I’m too small to play football with the other kids.”
Officer Jones:
“Hey Tommy, maybe he could play a position that doesn’t require a big guy, what do you think?”
Officer Jones and the Recruitment Candidate approach a woman who appears to have been living in the park with her infant.
Woman:
“My boyfriend has left us and I have no where to live.”
Officer Jones:
“Is there anything I can do to help you and your child?”
Woman:
“I don’t think so, but we haven’t eaten any food in a couple of days and we have been living in this park.”
Officer Jones:
“Ok. Grab your stuff and I will give you a ride to the women’s shelter so you and your child can get cleaned up and get something to eat.”
Recruitment Candidate:
“Are you supposed to do that?”
Officer Jones:
“Typically, we don’t get involved in our homeless people’s lives on the streets, but in this case this woman and child may be in danger staying in this park and not having any food. It is the right thing to do!”
School
Jurisville has seen a dramatic rise in hate crimes related to race and transgender citizens. Today, an officer has been dispatched to the local middle school, where there has been a report of vandalism.
Conversation Between School Principal and Police Officer About Racist Graffiti on School Wall.
Principal:
“Good morning, Officer Johnson. Thank you for coming. We have a serious matter to discuss regarding racist graffiti that was discovered on our school wall yesterday.”
Officer Johnson:
“Good morning, Principal. I’m here to assist you in any way I can. So, what happened?”
Principal:
“Yesterday morning, our custodian found offensive racist slurs and symbols spray-painted on the exterior wall of our school building. We take this incident very seriously, as it goes against our school’s values of respect, inclusivity, and equality. Not to mention, this is hate crime! ”
Officer Johnson:
“Did you happen to capture any surveillance footage or witness accounts that could help with the investigation?”
Principal:
“Yes. Our video surveillance system captured the two subjects as they painted the wall.”
Officer Johnson:
“That’s great. Can you have the footage sent to me, right away.”
Principal:
“Yes and thank you, Officer Johnson. We appreciate your prompt action. Our students, parents, and staff are understandably upset by this incident, and we want to ensure their safety and address the issue effectively.”
Officer Johnson:
“Absolutely, Principal. I assure you that we take hate crimes seriously and will do everything in our power to identify the culprits. It’s important for us to work together to send a clear message that racism and discrimination have no place in our community. We will also be working with our prosecuting attorney, from the start of this investigation, to make sure proper prosecution is made of the offenders.”
Principal:
“That’s really great. We also plan to hold an assembly to address the incident, emphasize the importance of tolerance, and provide support to affected students. We want them to feel safe and supported during this challenging time.”
Officer Johnson:
“That’s an excellent idea, Principal. If you need any assistance in organizing the assembly or providing resources, please let me know. I can also arrange for a police officer to attend the assembly to speak about the impact of hate crimes and the legal consequences.”
Principal:
“Your support would be invaluable, Officer Johnson. It’s crucial that we educate our students and reinforce the severity of such acts. We must foster an environment that promotes respect, acceptance, and diversity.”
Officer Johnson:
“Absolutely, Principal. Let’s continue to collaborate closely throughout this investigation and its aftermath. Together, we can create a stronger community that rejects racism and supports equality.”
Principal:
“Thank you, Officer Johnson. Your dedication and commitment are deeply appreciated. I will keep you updated on any developments and eagerly await your assistance in resolving this matter.”
Officer Johnson:
“You’re welcome, Principal. I’ll stay in touch and ensure that we exhaust all available resources to bring the individuals responsible to justice. Let’s work together to make our school a safe and inclusive place for everyone.”
Principal:
“Thank you again for your support. Let’s take a stand against racism and work towards a brighter future for our students.”
Gas Station
Officer Gonzalez visits a gas station that is popular with many of the police officers.
Station Owner and Police Officer Discussing Free Coffee for Officers.
Gas Station Owner (GSO):
Good morning, Officer Gonzalez! How can I assist you today?
Police Officer (PO):
Good morning. I wanted to discuss something with you regarding the policy of offering free coffee to police officers.
GSO:
Of course, Officer Gonzalez. What’s on your mind?
PO:
Well, I appreciate the kind gesture, but I think it would be best if we discontinued the practice of receiving free coffee. We need to ensure there is no perception of favoritism or preferential treatment.
GSO:
I understand your concern, Officer Gonzalez. We certainly don’t want to create any misconceptions or compromise the integrity of law enforcement. However, I must emphasize that offering free coffee is our way of showing appreciation for the difficult and important work that you and your fellow officers do.
PO:
I appreciate the gesture, GSO, but it’s important for us to maintain a professional and impartial image in the community. Accepting freebies could be misinterpreted as compromising our duty or influence our decision-making.
GSO:
Officer Gonzalez, I respect your commitment to professionalism, and I want to support law enforcement without causing any unintended consequences. How about we find a middle ground? Instead of providing free coffee to all officers, we can offer discounted rates to police personnel. We offer these same discounted rates to many other professionals in our community. What do you think?
PO:
That sounds like a reasonable compromise, GSO. Discounted rates would still be a token of appreciation while avoiding any potential issues. It also ensures that officers who genuinely need a pick-me-up during their shifts can still have access to affordable coffee.
GSO:
Absolutely, Officer Gonzalez. I’ll work on implementing the discounted rate immediately. We’ll offer the discounts to any officer (in uniform), as to avoid any abuse of this discount.
PO:
That sounds fair and straightforward, GSO. It addresses our concerns while still acknowledging the support from local businesses. It’s important for the community to see that we’re treated like any other customer.
GSO:
I appreciate your understanding, Officer Gonzalez. We’ll make sure the discounted rate is clearly communicated to all officers, and we’ll handle any inquiries or clarifications promptly. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?
PO:
That covers my main concern, GSO. Thank you for being open to finding a solution that balances our professional responsibilities and community support. I’m confident that this revised approach will be beneficial for everyone involved.
GSO:
Thank you, Officer Gonzalez. It’s always a pleasure to work with law enforcement and contribute to our community’s safety. If you have any further suggestions or concerns in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
PO:
Will do, GSO. Thank you for your cooperation. Have a great day!
GSO:
You too, Officer Gonzalez. Stay safe out there!
City Hall
A member of the City Council has requested a consultation meeting with local police department. Officer Southland meets with the city representative.
Discussion between a Police Officer and a City Council Member about Budgets and the Need for More Tickets and Arrests.
Officer Southland is back at City Hall and has a meeting with Council Member Johnson.
Officer Southland:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Council Member Johnson. I wanted to discuss the budget allocation for our police department and address the need for generating more revenue through tickets and arrests.
Council Member Johnson:
Of course, Officer Southland. I understand the importance of budgetary concerns. Please go ahead.
Officer Southland:
Currently, our department is facing financial challenges, particularly when it comes to updating our equipment and maintaining adequate staffing levels. We believe that increasing our efforts in issuing tickets and making arrests could help bridge that gap.
Council Member Johnson:
I appreciate your concerns, Officer Southland. However, as a city council member, my role is to ensure the well-being and safety of our community while maintaining a balanced budget. I’m curious about the underlying reasons for the need to generate more revenue through tickets and arrests.
Officer Southland:
The increased revenue would primarily go towards improving our outdated equipment, such as updating our patrol vehicles and investing in updated technology for crime prevention and investigations. Additionally, it would help us recruit and train new officers to ensure the safety of our residents.
Council Member Johnson:
I understand the importance of equipping our police force with necessary resources. However, relying solely on generating revenue through tickets and arrests may inadvertently create a perception that our officers are focused on revenue generation rather than community safety. This could lead to strained relations between law enforcement and our residents.
Officer Southland:
I completely understand your concerns, Council Member. Our primary goal is indeed community safety, and we value our relationship with the residents. However, without sufficient funding, we won’t be able to provide the level of service our community deserves.
Council Member Johnson:
I acknowledge the need for adequate funding, but I believe it’s crucial to explore alternative solutions as well. Have you considered collaborating with community organizations or seeking federal or state grants that can help alleviate the budgetary constraints?
Officer Southland:
We have explored some avenues for additional funding, but they haven’t proven as fruitful as we had hoped. I agree that seeking grants and partnerships with community organizations is a viable option, and we will continue to pursue those opportunities.
Council Member Johnson:
Excellent. It’s crucial that we find a balance between financial sustainability and maintaining a strong relationship with our community. I would encourage you to continue exploring alternative funding sources while keeping community engagement and safety at the forefront of your efforts.
Officer Southland:
Thank you for your guidance, Council Member Johnson. We will work towards finding a solution that ensures the well-being of our community while addressing the financial challenges we face. Your support is appreciated.
Council Member Johnson:
I appreciate your dedication, Officer Southland. Let’s work together to find a sustainable approach that benefits our residents and supports the police department’s needs. Feel free to reach out if you require any further assistance or guidance.
The meeting concludes, and Officer Southland and Council Member Johnson agree to maintain an open line of communication to address the budgetary concerns and explore alternative funding options.
Conclusion
Observing the day-to-day interactions of police officers provides valuable insights into the multifaceted interactions that police officers have with their communities. By exploring these diverse scenarios, we develope a deeper understanding of the essential skills and qualities required in this profession. From communication and conflict resolution to empathy and cultural competence, you have witnessed the significance of these skills in forging positive relationships and ensuring the fair and just application of the law.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.