Basic Peace Officer IV Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

CJLE-1524-001 Basic Peace Officer IV

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: CJLE 1506

Course Description

Basic preparation for a new peace officer. Covers criminal investigation topics, victims of crime, firearms training, driving, hazardous material recognition and problem solving for law enforcement.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(5 sem hrs; 10.25 hours per week/164 actual clock hours)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TX Criminal Law & Motor Vehicle Handbook (NEWEST EDITION); Elements of Crime (Newest Edition); TCLEOSE Basic Peace Officer Curriculum; and TCLEOSE Current Rules.

Supplies

\ n/a 

Student Performance

\    19.1.1. Identify guidelines with regards to firearms and the issues of warning shots, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, shots to destroy animals, back-up weapons and off duty weapons.
\ 19.2.1. Demonstrate competence of safety precautions necessary when handling firearms.
\ 19.2.2 The student will be able to describe weapons used by their department and/or academy.
\ 19.2.3 The student will be able to identify procedures used in routine maintenance.
\ 19.2.4 The student will be able to identify range safety techniques and range usage.
\ 19.3.1. Demonstrate proficiency in use of firearms according to the minimum firearms proficiency requirements.
\ 19.3.2. The student will be able to identify state qualification requirements.
\ 19.3.3. Demonstrate proficiency in weapon maintenance by cleaning and inspecting weapons.
\ 22.1.1. Identify the definition of “authorized emergency vehicle” and the situations in which the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is exempt from certain provisions of the Transportation Code (TC).
\ 22.1.2. Identify the exemption requirement regarding the use of red light and siren.
\ 22.1.3. Discuss the normal “rules of the road” that apply to an officer operating a law enforcement vehicle under non-emergency conditions.
\ 22.1.4. Identify the conditions under which an officer or law enforcement agency may be held liable for deaths, injuries, or incidents of property damage that occur while in an emergency vehicle being operated under emergency conditions.
\ 22.1.5. Identify the issues that are usually addressed by a law enforcement agency’s pursuit policy.
\ 22.1.6. Identify the effectiveness and limitations of emergency equipment and vehicle equipment.
\ 22.2.1. Identify the three basic objectives of a pre-shift vehicle safety inspection.
\ 22.2.2. Identify the components of a pre-shift vehicle inspection.
\ 22.2.3. Identify the techniques of proper vehicle operation.
\ 22.2.4. Identify the proper steering techniques for various aspects of vehicle operation.
\ 22.3.1. Identify the following components of “defensive driving.”
\ 22.3.2. Identify the factors that may contribute to traffic collisions.
\ 22.3.3. Identify the following driving movements or activities most frequently contributing to law enforcement collisions.
\ 22.3.4. Identify the reasons why “fatigue” is a physiological condition which poses a threat to safe driving.
\ 22.3.5. Identify the advantages of using seat (safety) belts when driving a vehicle.
\ 22.4.1. Identify the traffic conditions that affect safe vehicle operation.
\ 22.4.2. Identify the conditions which influence the overall “stopping distance” of a vehicle.
\ 22.4.3. Identify the effects of speed upon a turning vehicle.
\ 22.4.4. Identify, in the proper sequence, the components of total stopping distance.
\ 22.5.1. Demonstrate proper road position, weight transfer control, throttle control, braking and steering accuracy (both forward and backward), while performing a series of driving exercises.
\ 22.5.2. Demonstrate the ability to rapidly displace the vehicle, left or right, or stop upon command on a marked course.
\ 22.5.3. Demonstrate the proper techniques for efficient braking when coming to a complete stop, prior to a turning movement, and in an emergency.
\ 22.5.4. Demonstrate the ability to regain control of a vehicle experiencing a front skid.
\ 22.5.5. Demonstrate an ability to safely control a vehicle while operating under emergency conditions; applying proper driving techniques and avoiding potentially hazardous situations such as road obstacles, cross traffic, road dips, and other obstacles.
\ 23.1.1. Demonstrate how to facilitate effective communication.
\ 23.1.2. Demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret non-verbal cues.
\ 23.1.3. Demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret situations
\ 23.1.4. Demonstrate the ability to listen effectively.
\ 23.1.5. Demonstrate the ability to use communication skills that assist in getting people to share information.
\ 23.1.6. Demonstrate how to fairly and respectfully handle and make requests.
\ 23.2.1. Define critical thinking.
\ 23.2.2. Define community policing.
\ 23.2.3. Identify the essential aspects of critical thinking.
\ 23.2.4. Identify four typical reasons for errors in reasoning.
\ 23.2.5. Identify methods of good problem solvers.
\ 23.2.6. Identify the four steps of the SARA model.
\ 23.2.7. Explain how the SARA model applies to the problem-solving method.
\ 23.2.8. Explain the crime triangle.
\ 23.2.9. Discuss how to be a problem-oriented policing agency.
\ 23.2.10. Participate in a group problem-solving case study/activity.
\ 25.1.1. Identify the elements of a crisis reaction.
\ 25.1.2. Identify phases of a victim’s reaction to crime.
\ 25.1.3. Discuss the ripple effect of crime victimization.
\ 25.1.4. Discuss elements of crisis intervention.
\ 25.1.5. Discuss the potential for secondary victimization by the criminal justice system and how to avoid it.
\ 25.1.6. Identify the elements of an appropriate death notification.
\ 25.2.1. Identify the legal basis of law enforcement’s responsibilities to victims’ rights.
\ 25.2.2. Identify crime victim liaisons and their duties.
\ 25.2.3. Summarize legal requirement for providing victims written notice.
\ 25.2.4. Explain rights granted to victims of crime.
\ 25.2.5. Identify the value to law enforcement of effective assistance to victims.
\ 28.1.1. Define the term “hazardous material” or HAZMAT.
\ 28.1.2. Discuss the basic concepts of toxic material, infections material and ionizing radiation.
\ 28.1.3. Describe the potential effects of a HAZMAT incident.
\ 28.1.4. Identify sources of on-site information about hazardous materials being transported.
\ 28.1.5. Explain the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
\ 28.1.6. Recognize the basic procedures for safeguarding lives at a HAZMAT event.
\ 28.1.7. Describe Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and decontamination.
\ 29.1.1. Define criminal investigation.
\ 29.1.2. Identify the tools of the criminal investigator.
\ 29.1.3. List the goals of criminal investigation.
\ 29.1.4. Define corpus delicti and discuss its significance in the criminal investigative process.
\ 29.1.5. Discuss the legal significance of evidence.
\ 29.1.6. Discuss the significance of reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
\ 29.1.7. List five qualifications of an investigator.
\ 29.2.1. Discuss various types of property offenses and characteristics of these types of crimes.
\ 29.2.2. Identify the characteristics of a street thief.
\ 29.2.3. Identify what is meant by the term “gray market vehicle.”
\ 29.2.4. Explain what a “salvage switch” is and how it works.
\ 29.2.5. Identify some common problems of dealership inventory control.
\ 29.2.6. Identify some problems with car rental agencies (civil vs. criminal violations).
\ 29.2.7. Identify some conditions of a vehicle that might lead an officer to suspect it to be stolen.
\ 29.2.8. Identify some indicators that lead an officer to believe the vehicle is stolen after it has been stopped and observed.
\ 29.2.9. Describe procedures for determining whether a vehicle has been impounded or repossessed in reported auto theft cases.
\ 29.2.10. Identify the various types of offenses against persons and the characteristics of these type crimes.
\ 29.3.1. Discuss general preliminary investigatory procedures to be followed when dealing with crimes against property.
\ 29.3.2. Discuss general preliminary investigatory procedures to be followed when dealing with crimes against persons.
\ 29.3.3 Identify the elements of the continuing or follow-up investigation.
\ 29.4.1. Discuss the definition of “autopsy” and autopsy’s value in homicide investigations.
\ 29.4.2. Discuss the significance of homicide investigation terms.
\ 29.5.1. Identify typical laboratory procedures and other procedures useful in furthering criminal investigations.
\ 29.6.1. Describe procedures to be taken upon arrival at the scene.
\ 29.6.2. Describe procedures for identifying victim in case of serious injury or death.
\ 29.6.3. Identify the available special units which may be called to the scene.
\ 29.6.4. Identify information that should be made known to other officers.
\ 29.6.5. Discuss the legal authority to protect the crime scene and establish the perimeters.
\ 29.6.6. Describe procedures for securing the crime scene.
\ 29.7.1. Discuss the objectives in conducting a crime scene search.
\ 29.7.2. Identify the potential problems in conducting a crime scene search.
\ 29.7.3. Demonstrate the selection and use of crime scene search methods.
\ 29.7.4. Describe procedures involved in implementing a crime scene search.
\ 29.7.5. Determine circumstances under which additional investigative and technical personnel should be called to conduct a crime scene search and when officers may vacate the scene.
\ 29.7.6. Identify when evidence may and may not be used.
\ 29.7.7. Identify the procedures to be followed in photographing a crime scene.
\ 29.7.8. Discuss the value of crime scene sketches.
\ 29.7.9. Describe the proper procedures for crime scene documentation.
\ 29.7.10. Demonstrate methods for preparing a crime scene sketch.
\ 29.7.11. Identify types of crime scene sketches.
\ 29.7.12. Explain chain of custody.
\ 29.7.13. Use procedures for establishing chain of custody.
\ 29.7.14. Categorize the type of evidence to be collected for the type of offense committed.
\ 29.7.15. Demonstrate safe methods for preserving evidence in original condition.
\ 29.7.16. Apply procedures for obtaining information from victims, complainants and witnesses.
\ 29.8.1. Explain the legal requirements for conducting interviews.
\ 29.8.2. Practice the techniques used in conducting an interview.
\ 29.9.1. List the reasons and procedures for search during booking.
\ 29.9.2. Practice proper manner of detailed recording and securing of prisoner’s property.
\ 29.9.3. Practice proper procedure to record all necessary booking data on a prisoner and vehicle impound information.
\ 29.9.4. Identify the processes by which stolen and wanted information may be retrieved.
\ 29.9.5. Identify procedures to follow when a prisoner and/or officer may have suffered bodily injury.
\ 29.9.6. Identify results of a proper booking process.
\ 29.10.1. Discuss the benefits of professional courtroom demeanor and appearance.
\ 29.10.2. Employ the steps used to refresh memory in preparation for testimony.
\ 29.10.3. Demonstrate proper demeanor when called to testify.
\ 29.10.4. Describe methods of court procedure.
\ 29.10.5. Use techniques for presenting effective testimony.
\ 29.10.6. Demonstrate responses to questions within the limits of known information without speculation.
\ 29.10.7. Explain the procedure for exclusion of witnesses from the courtroom.
\ 29.10.8. Give examples of courtroom tactics used by defense attorneys.
\ 29.10.9. Demonstrate the ability to testify effectively and to critique the testimony of others.
\ 29.11.1. Describe the reasons for case management.
\ 29.11.2. Discuss the value of a properly prepared case folder.
\ 29.11.3. Prepare the type of documentary information included in a case folder and in a prosecution summary.
\ 29.11.4. Identify the necessity of properly prepared case files.
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Expected Student Behavior

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Grading Criteria

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\ Grading Scale

\ A (100-90); B (89-80); C (79-70); D (69-60); F (59–0)
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\ See Grading Criteria section of this syllabus.

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