I do not have an office at Amarillo College.
The primary method of communication with me will be through course announcements/email. All course announcements will be posted under the Announcements link on the homepage of the course in Blackboard with a concurrent email sent to the class. These emails and any other emails from me will go directly to your AC Gmail account.
Make sure to check your announcements/emails at least every other day to ensure you do not miss important information.
Communicating with your instructor is an important part of the learning process. If you have any questions or experience any problems regarding your class, contact me as soon as possible.
EMAIL ME: The best way to contact me is by emailing me at e0117083@actx.edu Please Do Not email me from your phone or other private devices as they do not tell me who you are and may get lost or not get answered. I will respond through the AC Email function which will go to your student email account.
I check my email daily. However, there may be times when it will take me some time to respond. You can expect an email reply within 24 hours from the time you email me.
PHONE CONTACT: The second-best way to contact me is to call me/text me on my cell phone at (806) 678-3970. You may call/text me on weekdays and weekends, but please do not call/text me after 8:00 pm at night. I work full time and oversee over 170 people, so I get A LOT of emails and phone calls. I will respond when I am able. If you text me, please tell me your name and that you are in my Intro to Policing class. If you call me, you must leave a message for me to call you back. When you leave a message, please include your name and that you are in my Intro to Policing class, so I can be prepared to talk with you when I call you back.
A Word About Expected Courtesies in Your Course Communications Students should make themselves knowledgeable regarding appropriate “netiquette” practices. There are several internet resources that explain netiquette. One such source is located at the following link:
Students will always communicate with their instructor professionally and courteously. Discourteous, rude, and/or aggressive emails, text messages, or phone conversations will not be tolerated. If you have questions regarding the course, you should contact me first.
Students, other Amarillo College staff or faculty are not responsible for determining my course policies.
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
CRIJ-2328-002 Police Systems and Practices
This course examines the establishment, role and function of police in a democratic society. It will focus on types of police agencies and their organizational structure, police-community interaction, police ethics and use of authority.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Online Course
Introduction to Policing
Cox, Massey, Koski and Wentz
Fifth Edition (2023)
ISBN: 9781071838198
All students enrolled in this class must have access to a working computer, active and functioning internet service, some type of word processing program, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.
Adobe Acrobat Reader may be downloaded FREE from https://get.adobe.com/reader/.
Assistance with Computer Access
If you don’t have a computer, you can access the computers at the AC Library on the 4th floor of the WARE Building. Click on the link to access phone numbers, hours of operation and locations for all Amarillo College libraries and computing centers: https://www.actx.edu/library/.
The Amarillo College Bookstore has a laptop rental program. Contact them to find out more information about the requirements and terms of the program.
Amarillo College Writer’s Corner
The Writer’s Corner is an excellent resource available to you for assistance in the writing needs of the course. You can access additional information at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.
EMAIL ADDRESS: writerscorner@actx.edu
Phone: 345-5580
LOCATION: Ordway Hall, Room 102
Fall & Spring Semesters
Monday – Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Summer Sessions
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Describe the types of police agencies and explain the role of police in America within the context of a democratic society.
Describe means and methods utilized to ensure police accountability.
Explain the historical development of policing.
Describe the selection process for police officers.
Compare and contrast organizational structures, policies, strategies and tactics employed to ensure police effectiveness, efficiency and equity.
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Students should approach the course with a mindset where they’re ready to learn. Students also need to be cognizant of the fact this is an online class and that it is the student’s responsibility to check on due dates for assignments, exams, discussion boards, etc.
The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on the students' part. Students are individually responsible for ensuring they understand all requirements of the course, have access to necessary supplies and complete assignments accordingly.
Log into the class on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times per week) to check for class announcements/emails and ensure understanding of all applicable requirements.
Respond to requests from your professor in a timely manner.
Complete all readings and course preparation as assigned. This is imperative for successful completion of the course. I have found that students who do well in my classes generally ascribe to the following practices:
Check Blackboard often for announcements and up-coming assignments and quizzes.
Have a consistent plan or approach for completing their reading/preparation and assignments for the course.
Highlight the textbook or take notes as they complete reading assignments to help prepare for written assignments, quizzes and/or exams.
Reach out to me in a timely fashion with regards to questions or problems with the class.
Complete all assignments in a timely manner and be cognizant of all relevant due dates.
Students' grades for this course will be comprised of the following percentages and types of assignments:
Coursework [35%] There are a variety of assignments in this category related to content vocabulary, assigned course readings and/or written assignments.
Discussion Assignments [20%] There will be several discussion assignments in which the student will be required to publish a discussion post based on an assigned discussion prompt and then respond to at least five (5) of his or her classmates' postings.
Midterm Exam [30%] The mid-term exam is included in Module 4, contains 100 multiple-choice and true-false questions, and addresses all material covered to date (through Module 4).
Common Assessment [15%] This assignment provides students with an opportunity to actively incorporate and apply what they’ve learned throughout the semester and serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.
See the Common Assessment link on the course site in Blackboard for all information, requirements and instructions pertaining to this assignment.
Final Course Grade Assignment (Grading Schema)
Final letter grades in the course will be assigned utilizing the schema listed below. Unless otherwise noted, there will be no exceptions to this schema made by the professor. Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course.
Letter Grade | Corresponding Numerical Value |
A | 90-100 |
B | 80-89 |
C | 70-79 |
D | 60-69 |
F | 59 and below |
REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT IN THIS CLASS. THEREFORE, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ATTEND CLASS, EVEN IN AN ONLINE SETTING.
Failure to drop or withdraw from the course within a timely manner will result in you receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.
Week 1
Chapter 1. Policing in the United States
Week 2
Chapter 2. A Brief History of Police in the United States
Chapter 3. Police Organization and Administration
Week 3
Chapter 4. Recruitment and Selection of Police Officers
Chapter 5. Police Training and Education
Chapter 6. Police Work: Operations and Functions
Week 4
Chapter 7. Contemporary Strategies in Policing
Chapter 8. The Police Culture and Work Stress
Midterm Exam
Week 5
Chapter 9. Law, Court Decisions, and the Police
Chapter 10. Ethics and Decision-Making
Chapter 11. Police Misconduct and Accountability
Week 6
Chapter 12. Policing in a Diverse Society
Chapter 13. Technology and the Police
Week 7
Chapter 14. Organized Crime, Homeland Security, and Global Issues
Chapter 15. The Future of Policing in the United States
Week 8
Common Assessment submission
Final Reflections Essay
Tutoring/Assistance with Course
The Criminal Justice Department at Amarillo College endeavors to support each student’s goals for success by providing additional academic support services to those in need. If your cumulative grade average for this course falls below 70, you will be strongly encouraged to access tutoring and other academic resources the instructor feels is appropriate.
Any student needing assistance with any aspect of the course content should contact their instructor to schedule a tutoring session. Tutoring sessions are offered at no charge and can be conducted on campus or via telephone. Arrangements can be made to schedule a time that is convenient for the student.
Student Academic Help/ Student Resources
There are a variety of resources available to help students with issues they may be experiencing throughout the semester. You are encouraged to contact your instructor with any questions or problems you might have while taking the course. In addition, you may access many of the various student resources at: https://www.actx.edu/student-resources.
Reproduction of Course Materials
Students are prohibited from reproducing any portion of this class without written permission from the instructor of record or authorization through Disability Services. This includes, but is not limited to, lecture notes, class discussion boards or any other class materials. For purposes of the policy herein, “reproducing” applies to photographic reproduction, audio, video, or any other type of reproduction of course materials.
Students who create and/or share an unauthorized reproduction of course materials via any means, including social media, are violating an instructor's intellectual property rights and could potentially be subjected to disciplinary actions under the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, should any reproduction be shown of proprietary materials, the student who created or shared the unauthorized reproduction may also be subject to copyright laws.
This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Determinations regarding whether or not extra-credit opportunities will be afforded to students is at the discretion of the instructor. In the event an option for extra credit is offered by the instructor, comprehensive guidelines and information will be provided to the student. Students are not required to participate in extra credit opportunities.
This policy has been adopted by all instructors in the Criminal Justice Department. Questions or concerns should be directed to Sarah Uselding, Program Coordinator and/or Eric Wallace, Director.
Student Complaints or Issues
A complaint is an allegation of improper, unfair, arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by college personnel. Students should attempt to resolve concerns informally with the instructor before filing a formal complaint. Any student or group of students may file a complaint concerning any campus issue. The Amarillo College Student Complaint Policy is described in detail in the Student Rights and Responsibilities document.
If you have a complaint regarding the instructor or some aspect of the course, you should first contact your instructor immediately in person or via email and attempt to resolve the situation. If the situation can’t be resolved to your satisfaction, you should then contact Sarah Uselding, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator at (806) 290-2727 or Eric Wallace, Director of Criminal Justice Programs, at (806) 354-6081.
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