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.
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 Student Service Center office 112. 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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
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-2328-001 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)
Tech Supported
An Introduction to Policing – 9th Edition
Authors: John S. Dempsey, Linda S. Forst, & Steven B. Carter
Publisher: Cengage Learning, Inc., (2019)
ISBN: 978-1-337-55875-4
IMPORTANT: STUDENTS WILL NEED THEIR TEXTBOOK THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS
Textbooks may be purchased via the following methods:
In person at the Amarillo College bookstore in the College Union Building (CUB) on the Washington Street Campus at 24th and Jackson. Students can contact the bookstore at 806-¬371¬-5304 or via email at bookstore@actx.edu. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and in addition to these regularly scheduled hours, extended hours are announced for the beginning and ending of each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer). Make sure you keep your receipt! They will not take returns or exchanges without them.
Online through the Amarillo College bookstore or another online vendor. Access the bookstore's home page at https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/. The correct ISBN is cited above. Students ordering their book online through the Amarillo College bookstore or through another vendor should ensure they order the correct edition of the textbook and allow enough time for delivery so as to have the book the first day of class.
The correct ISBN for the required class textbook is cited above. Students ordering their book online through the Amarillo College bookstore or through another vendor should ensure they order the correct edition of the textbook and allow enough time for delivery so as to have the book the first week of class. You do NOT need to purchase the access codes for the textbook.
All students enrolling 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/.
GOOGLE Apps
Students should utilize their Google Apps for completing course assignments. To access your Google Apps follow the steps listed below:
Step 1| Log onto AC Connect.
Step 2| Click on the Google Apps Email link in the top right of the page.
Step 3| Once on your student email page, you will see an icon in the upper right corner that has 9 little boxes in a group. Click on that icon and it will take you to your Google Apps.
Step 4| Choose the appropriate app needed. As a helpful hint, you’ll use “Docs” to write your discussion posts and other written assignments and “Slides” for your introduction assignment as well as your class project presentations (if applicable).
Assistance with Computer Access
If you don’t have a computer, you may 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/successcenters/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
Student performance addresses the knowledge/skills a student should possess upon completion of this course with a 70% or above cumulative course average. To that end, there are general course learning objectives (listed below) and more specific weekly learning objectives for this course. The weekly learning objectives will be clearly stated.
This course will be guided by meeting both the general course learning objectives and the weekly learning objectives. At the end of the semester students are expected to have a well-developed understanding of policing in America and the essential elements therein.
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".
Course Workload and Preparation
Students should approach the course with a mindset where they’re ready to learn.
The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on 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, if not every day) to check for class announcements/emails.
Respond to requests from instructor 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:
Discussion Boards
Effective learning can only occur in a safe space where students and the professor are open to the views of people different than themselves. In this time we share together over the semester, please honor the uniqueness of your fellow classmates and appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from one another.
At times the discussion board topics will address sensitive and uncomfortable subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate, respectful and considerate manner.
Snipes, demeaning comments, personal attacks, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions, within written course work or email content.
Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course. Moreover, only the student registered for the course should prepare the assignments and participate in the course.
If you have cause to be concerned or offended by any of the topics covered in this course or something another student posts on the discussion board, you should contact your professor immediately. All material, both required and supplemental, is directly tied to facilitating in the learning process and assisting students in better meeting the learning objectives of the course.
Scholastic Integrity
Scholastic honesty is required of all students in all coursework and exams as they relate to this course. This instructor maintains a zero-tolerance policy with regards to scholastic dishonesty. Occurrences of scholastic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will result in a grade of zero for the applicable assignment and/or removal from the course. Scholastic dishonesty is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as “…shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.” Determinations of scholastic dishonesty may be substantiated if a student engages in any of the following behaviors:
-Function as a substitute for another student in any assignment or exam, or utilizes a substitute in any assignment or exam
-Utilizes the assistance of others, including other students, or engages in “collusion” in relation to any assignment or exam to the extent the work is not characteristic of the student's capabilities. Collusion is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as: “… the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Students are not to work together on assignments or exams unless otherwise directed.
-Affords excessive assistance to another student in relation to any assignment or exam, including the unauthorized use of camera phones, text messages, photocopies, notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or intended for academic submission.
-Commits plagiarism; refer to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct which defines plagiarism as: “…the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.”
-Uses information and/or materials from the Internet or any other source without citing full and applicable credit
-Knowingly permits his or her work to be submitted by another student in connection with any assignment or exam
-Claims credit for or submits work done by another student
-Falsifies or misrepresents hours or activities in relationship to a service project (if applicable)
-Falsifies required documentation required for a service project (if applicable)
Exams:
Exams will comprise thirty (35) percent of your overall grade.
The purpose of the exams is to evaluate students’ knowledge regarding material in assigned chapters.
There will be an exam during weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 (final exam). Exams will consist of True/False and multiple-choice questions.
During the weeks in which an exam is to be taken, the exam will be posted on BlackBoard by 8:00 AM on Friday and available to take through Sunday at 11:59 PM. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO FINALS WEEK.
The final exam will be available from 8:00 AM, Tuesday, March 9th through 11:59 PM, Wednesday, March 10th, 2021. THE FINAL EXAM WILL NOT BE COMPREHENSIVE (You are welcome).
Exams will have a time limit. If a student exits an exam before they are finished, the exam will be submitted regardless of how many questions are answered. Plan on setting aside at least one (1) hour to (2) hours to complete the exams.
Certain terms are important within the Criminal Justice realm and students will be tested on their knowledge of the vocabulary terms in the textbook, so there will also be a vocabulary exam in week 7 that opens on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 8:00 AM and closes Sunday, March 7, 2021.
The vocabulary exam will consist of a timed exam in which the student will be required to match the vocabulary term with the correct definition/answer. The amount of time allowed to complete the vocabulary exam will be dependent on the number of vocabulary words selected by the instructor. Once the exam is open, the amount of time to finish will be shown. Plan on setting aside at least one (1) hour to (2) hours to complete this exam.
Discussion Boards:
Discussion Boards will comprise twenty (15) percent of your overall grade.
There will be several discussion assignments throughout the class session in which the student will be required to publish a discussion post based on an assigned discussion prompt and then respond to at least three (3) of his or her classmates' postings.
The purpose of the discussion assignments is to help students practically apply knowledge gained while reading the assigned chapter(s) and interacting with their fellow classmates.
Coursework:
Coursework will comprise thirty (30) percent of your overall grade.
There will be several writing assignments in this category related to assigned course topics.
These assignments are meant to evaluate students’ knowledge regarding assigned content, to help students develop ideas and concepts based on designated topics while learning how to support them with substantive material from the textbook and other sources and communicate their findings in a written format.
Common Assessment (Capstone Assignment):
There will be a Capstone assignment for this course. It will comprise twenty (20) percent of your overall grade. The Capstone Assignment will be available during the third week of class on BlackBoard under the Common Assessment tab.
The Common Assessment will be turned in through Blackboard using the Common Assessment template and is due no later than 11:59 PM on March 3, 2021.
FINAL COURSE GRADE ASSIGNMENT (Grading Schema):
Exams 35%
Discussion Boards 15%
Coursework 30%
Common Assessment 20%
Total 100%
Final letter grades will be given using the grading schema below. Unless otherwise noted, there will be no exceptions to this schema made by the Instructor. Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course.
A = 100% to 89.5%
B = 89.4% - 79.5%
C = 79.4% - 69.5%
D = 69.4% - 59.5%
F = 59.4% and below
Grading of Assignments:
You can access your grades at any time by clicking on the Grades link on the left sidebar of the course web site. It is the Instructor’s intention to post grades as soon as possible and no later than one week after assignments and exams are completed. An announcement will be made when grades are posted.
Grading of assignments will be based on the student’s ability to follow all instructions for each assignment as well as accurateness and comprehensiveness of answers. A grading rubric will be provided for all writing assignments. Please note that simply completing the minimum requirements for each assignment will result in a minimal grade. You will not receive a perfect score if you complete only the minimum requirements for each assignment. Please take responsibility for your work and make every effort to do your best.
Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. If you miss an exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the missed exam/s. In case of an emergency, you may notify the instructor to see if a written assignment may be completed as extra credit.
REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS, EVEN IN A TECH SUPPORTED SETTING.
Consistent and adequate involvement in a hybrid class is necessary for satisfactory completion. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact me via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
Information Regarding Withdrawals
It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Per Amarillo College guidelines, students must receive approval from the instructor to withdraw from the course. The last day to withdraw from a class is listed on the course calendar (on the class site) and on Amarillo College’s master calendar on AC Connect.
If a student wishes to withdraw from the course they must complete the following steps:
Failure to drop or withdraw the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.
This course is divided into eight (8) weekly sections with a corresponding checklist for each week containing all required preparation, reading and assignments. Please review each checklist carefully to ensure you understand the requirements therein.
It is strongly suggested you print the checklists. Students will be required to turn in assignments on specified dates, as referenced on the course calendar, which can be accessed via the Calendar link under the course menu on the left sidebar of the course site.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule when deemed appropriate and/or necessary. Any and all changes made will be clearly communicated in a timely fashion. Below is a basic outline of the course and the topics covered therein. The course calendar provided on the class site contains more detailed information and includes due dates for all assignments.
Please note the reading for this course can be quite heavy at times, as the subject matter is extremely detailed. I recommend you work ahead on your reading as much as possible, utilizing the guided reading notes.
Week 1 - Starts January 19, 2021
Syllabus overview
Blackboard overview
Overview of class expectations
Chapter 1 – Police History
Week 2 - Starts January 25, 2021
Chapter 2 – Organizing Public Security in the United States
Chapter 3 – Organizing the Police Department
Weeks 1 & 2 exam (opens Friday, January 29 after 8:00 AM, and closes Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 11:59 PM)
Week 3 - Starts February 1, 2021
Chapter 4 – Becoming a Police Officer
Chapter 5 – The Police Role and Police Discretion
Week 4 - Starts February 8, 2021
Chapter 6 – Police Culture, Personality, and Police Stress
Chapter 7 – Minorities in Policing
Weeks 3 & 4 exam (opens Friday, February 12 after 8:00 AM, and closes February 14, 2021 at 11:59 PM.)
Week 5 - Starts February 15, 2021
Chapter 8 – Police Ethics and Police Deviance
Chapter 9 – Patrol Operations
Week 6 - Starts February 22, 2021
Chapter 11 – Police and their Clients
Chapter 12 – Community Policing
Weeks 5 & 6 exam (opens Friday, February 26 after 8:00 AM, and closes February 28, 2021 at 11:59 PM.)
Week 7 - Starts March 1, 2021
Chapter 13 – Police and the Law
Chapter 15 – Homeland Security
Vocabulary Exam - (opens March 4, 2021 at 8:00 AM and closes March 7, 2021 at 11:59 PM)
Capstone Assignment due no later than 11:59 pm on MARCH 3, 2021
Week 8 - Starts March 8, 2021
Review
Final Exam (Chapters 13, and 15) – (opens Tuesday, March 9 after 8:00 AM and closes Wednesday, March 10 at 11:59 PM.)
A more detailed class schedule, outlining relevant due dates for all assignments, will be on Blackboard on the first day of class.
Blackboard – Use your blackboard
ALL EXAMS, DISCUSSIONS, COURSEWORK, AND THE COMMON ASSESSMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED THROUGH BLACKBOARD.
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure will count for a portion of your grade for all writing assignments.
Use the following APA Style Format
Every assignment must have the following cover page attached. (5 points will be deducted for missing cover pages)
Title of paper (for example, Homework Assignment 1, Writing Assignment 2)
Your name
Police Systems and Practices
Instructor Bohannon
(centered on the page from top to bottom and side to side)
Resource: Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) APA Style
COURSEWORK
Students will complete coursework assignments over required reading for this course which will be due at a time selected by the instructor.
Coursework will be posted on blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit coursework by the due date.
Certain terms are important within the Criminal Justice realm and students will be tested on their knowledge of the vocabulary terms in the textbook. Vocabulary coursework will consist of a timed assignment in which the student will be required to match the vocabulary term with the correct definition/answer. These assignments will be completed in Blackboard. The assignment will open in Blackboard on a day chosen by the instructor and remain open for a minimum of two (2) days. The amount of time allowed to complete the vocabulary assignment once a student starts the assignment will be dependent on the number of vocabulary words selected by the instructor. Once the assignment is opened, the amount of time to finish will be shown. Plan on setting aside at least one (1) hour to complete these assignments.
|Criminal Justice Departmental Policies|
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 a 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.
01/18/21 6:10 PM
01/19/21 1:41 AM