Course Description
Examination of the role of police in a democratic society. Topics include professionalism police discretion police-community relations police-minority relations use of force and control of police behavior as well as other selected contemporary issues.
This course examines proactive community-oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) in the context of changes in police departments and communities. Students will be provided with the knowledge needed to understand the COPPS philosophy and its applications for police and society. Students will examine the evolution of community policing, the relationship of the police and the community in the community policing philosophy, the implementation of COPPS, and methods of evaluating COPPS initiatives.
Course Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Student Learning Outcomes
- Define community-oriented policing and problem solving
- Explain the COPPS philosophy and how it differs from traditional policing
- Understand the various problems that are involved in implementing COPPS in a police department and local community
- Apply their understanding of problem solving to specific crime problems in the community