SHASTA COLLEGE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
APPENDIX B
PROGRAM REVIEW QUALITATIVE DATA
Program Mission/Function
The primary function of the Administration of Justice program at Shasta College is to provide students the course work necessary to complete the AS degree in Administration of Justice at Shasta College. In so doing, the completion of any or all of the noted course work assists the student in preparation for a career in law enforcement. The Administration of Justice program also provides those students not seeking a degree or law enforcement related employment with a source of information to assist them with daily personal issues related to law, law enforcement, civil rights and other related significant areas. The mission of the Administration of Justice program is to provide interested students with current factual knowledge relevant to the American justice system, to include but not limited to; its components, workers, employment, functionality and purpose. It is also the function of the program to ready students to proceed directly to a law enforcement academy. We as well supply actual academy training within our Modular Basic course allowing students to gain police academy course work up to P.O.S.T. Level II training. The program also addresses current needs of in-service law enforcement employees as their training needs are discussed and planned for through the L.E.T.M.A. organization.
Curriculum Update
Updating of Administration of Justice curriculum is a continuous ongoing process. Staff in the Administration of Justice department are often working law enforcement professionals. They serve as a wonderful “filter” for existing curriculum as they are placed on the “cutting edge” of the American justice system by using current materials, laws and technologies daily. These come to them through the best channels the system has to offer including the state attorney general, local district attorneys, private firms and administrative staff within the multitude of law enforcement related agencies they work for. This expertise is passed along to those teaching that do not still work within these agencies. Administration of Justice curriculum is therefore continuously monitored with relationship to what is happening in the “real world”. The same is true for our text and other training materials we utilize.
Courses currently within the Administration of Justice program followed by the date of most recent update and Curriculum Council approval:
Introduction to Administration of Justice
Traffic Enforcement
Concepts of Criminal Law
Legal Aspects of Evidence
Principles and Procedures of the Justice System
Police/Community Relations
Principles of Investigation
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Police Field Operations
Juvenile Procedures
Career Planning
Multi-Cultural Issues in Law Enforcement
Substantive Law
Courtroom Testimony and Report Writing
Wildlife Law
PC 832 Arrest and Firearms
Level III Modular Basic Course Training
Level II Modular Basic Course Training
Curriculum Articulation
The Shasta College Administration of Justice program has existing up to date articulation agreements with the Shasta/Trinity Regional Occupation Program. Students completing the ROP Law Enforcement Occupations program with a specified required grade may take an exam administered by the ROP instructor. If they receive a pre-determined score on this exam, they may then receive 3 units of credit at Shasta College by following college guidelines for articulation credit in lieu of taking the Shasta College Administration of Justice class, Introduction to Administration of Justice. This articulation is relevant to students in any high school where the Shasta/Trinity ROP Law Enforcement Occupations program is offered. Currently this agreement is available to students in the Shasta, Anderson and Red Bluff High School Districts.
Any class offered at Shasta College that enhances a students ability to read and write, think critically, and improve a students physical health are highly recommended by Administration of Justice staff as being significant contributions to the pursuit of a career in the Administration of Justice.
Curriculum Diversity
The Administration of Justice program recognizes the need to instill a desire among its students to pursue diverse culture information. The need for such information is dictated by the constant cultural evolution the American society displays. In no singular employment area is the need for cultural diversity understanding and recognition more consequential than it is in law enforcement. As a result, the Administration of Justice program has developed the class, Multi-Cultural Issues in Law Enforcement. This course is a foundational point for monitoring and developing added like informational sources to students.
The Shasta College Administration of Justice program addresses the modicum of issues presented by the application of the American Justice System on the American public. In so doing it addresses the cultural issues created by such application. In this sense the program is “nationalized”. With the mission and function of the program being the primary delivery of “usable” information with regard to preparation for employment in the “real world” of American law enforcement our informational thrust is directed to where students are most likely to gain employment. As a result, we frequently are California specific with information branching out from that point as learning needs suggest.
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Curriculum Competencies
Students successfully completing the Shasta College Administration of Justice program will be able to recognize the basic components of the American Justice System. They will be able to identify specific procedural processes within the operation of the criminal justice system. They will recognize specific actions representative of criminal conduct as specified within the numerous codes utilized by the law enforcement professional. They
will understand search and seizure issues relevant to dealing with people suspected of criminal activity as well as the seizure, processing and handling of locations at which crime has occurred. Students will be able to write an acceptable law enforcement related report, understand its value and purpose and be prepared to deal with presenting such information in an American court as a witness. Students will learn the extreme
importance of cultivating and practicing good relationships with the communities they go forth to serve. Students will possess specific information with regard to the hiring of Administration of Justice practitioners. They will gather usable knowledge with regard to selection, training, application, and interview processes. Students will obtain specific information with regard to job choices available to them. Students will be given the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge in the areas of police patrol, wildlife law, handling juveniles, traffic control and enforcement. Students taking and successfully completing the specialized POST training programs will receive state certification allowing them to function in different capacities within the law enforcement field.
All of theses competencies have been developed through analysis of information from staff, advisory committee members, counterparts at like college facilities, state laws, regulations and mandates as well as student input. All competencies are tested by written exam where appropriate. All of the “hands on” training competencies are tested by student demonstration of the specific activities. Competency levels are established by staff analysis of current training standards and in some cases by state rule and regulation.
Curriculum Strengths and Weaknesses
The AJ program at Shasta College consists of a core curriculum that is accepted state wide as the primary curriculum for AJ programs at the community college level. This ensures the student is getting a well rounded as well as a well accepted course of study.
I do not see any glaring weaknesses in the program currently being offered. If there is an Achilles heel here it has to be the constant need to keep curriculum current with employment requirements and demands. The fact the our instructors are working law enforcement personnel facilitates this need very well.
Text Analysis
Reviewing and adopting textbooks is the job of every instructor within the program. Each instructor has the opportunity to choose text of their liking. Once this has been done, the text would be checked by the program coordinator to ensure it is not recognized as being deficient or problematic in any way. An effort is made within the program to select California specific texts where appropriate and to select good but least expensive where possible.
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Course Scheduling and Sequencing
The current AJ program at Shasta College is sequenced within two semesters. It is cyclic and repeats within that format. As demand for certain classes increases we sequence in new offerings. Total AS completion to include general education requirements are sequenced within a two year format. Many students due to personal family and work requirements take longer to complete. This is generally not problematic.
Instructional Methodology
The following represents instructional methodology for individual courses within the AJ program.
Core curriculum:
Introduction to Administration of Justice10
This is a lecture based class incorporating the use of overhead projections to facilitate student learning and retention. Appropriate video material, reading and writing assignments and classroom discussions are utilized. Student progress is tested by worksheets, writing assignments and written essay examinations.
Principles and Procedures of the Justice System 17
This is a lecture based course incorporating the use overhead projections. Video material, reading and writing assignments, current events assignments, and worksheets are utilized. Classroom discussion is encouraged. Students are tested by multiple choice examination.
Career Planning in Law Enforcement 23
This is a discussion based class. Actual POST law enforcement standards and requirements are utilized to familiarize students with employment requirements and techniques. Students are required to prepare resumes, video job interviews, and standard law enforcement background packages. Students are introduced to physical job requirements and are taught how to prepare for physical testing. The class is visited by law enforcement recruiters who discuss employment issues with students.
Concepts of Criminal Law 15
This is a lecture based class, utilizing overhead projections and power point to enhance student learning and retention. Some video material is used. Students are required to complete worksheets and are tested by multiple choice examination.
Legal Aspects of Evidence 16
This is a lecture based course. Overhead and power point are utilized. Student assignments include writing case briefs, utilizing a law library and worksheets. Students are evaluated on their writing abilities as well as essay examination.
Principles of Investigation 20
This is a lecture, discussion, demonstration class. Overhead and power point are utilized. Students view crime scenarios and make decisions as to proper handling techniques. Video material is utilized. Hands on training is done in several areas. Students are evaluated on their hands-on work, writing ability and essay examination.
Courtroom Testimony and Report Writing 26
This is an instructional class. Students are taught the basics of police report writing and then view multiple scenarios from which they gather needed information and write reports. Students may write as many as 40 reports during the semester. Each report is corrected and returned to the student who may re-write and improve their work if needed. Spelling is emphasized. Students are instructed as to the basics of giving in-court
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testimony. Video material is utilized to enhance this learning. Students are graded on writing and spelling ability as well as performance on essay examination.
Police/Community Relations 18
This is a discussion based class examining the existing relationship between community and law enforcement. Scenarios and video material are utilized as well as overhead and power point presentation. Students do numerous writing assignments on selected subject matter. They are graded on these writings as well as essay examination.
Multi-Cultural Issues 24
This is a discussion scenario based course. Students are presented with numerous cultural issues and discussions are had as to proper handling and technique. Students are taken on a field trip to San Francisco where they are given the opportunity to view and interact with diverse cultures. Students participate in a “cultural food experience” by bringing a culturally related dish to a class picnic. Students are graded on class writing assignments and participation in class activities.
Traffic Control and Investigation 11
This is a lecture/hands-on course. Instruction utilizes latest power point and computer enhanced technology. SWITRS manual and CVC code are predominant course information sources. Students participate in actual accident reconstruction, skid analysis and accident report writing. Students are graded on activity participation and a written essay exam.
Police Field Operations 21
This is a lecture, discussion, scenario based course. Students are instructed in the daily patrol functions of law enforcement. They are placed in numerous scenario situations in which they must critically think as to appropriate solutions and move toward doing them. Students are graded on scenario participation and several essay examinations.
Juvenile Procedures 22
This is a lecture based course. Power point and overhead are utilized to enhance learning. Students participate in group activities and discussions. A field trip to a juvenile facility is utilized. Students are graded on writing assignments and multiple choice examinations.
Substantive Law 25
This is a lecture/scenario based course. Overhead projections assist in learning. Students are placed in crime scenarios and must critically think of appropriate actions, charges and follow through for law enforcement. Students are graded based on scenario performance and essay examinations.
Wildlife Law Enforcement 30
This is a lecture based course in which students examine and learn the California Fish and Game Code. Wildlife biological issues are discussed. Morals of fish and wildlife harvest are examined as well as allowable harvest techniques. Student grading is based on writing assignments and multiple choice exams.
Institutional and Field Services 40
This is a lecture based corrections course. Students examine the basic juvenile and adult corrections philosophies as well as probation and parole. Services delivered to inmates and rehabilitation are discussed. Students are graded by taking multiple choice examinations.
Fundamentals of Crime and Delinquency 41
This is a lecture based course focusing on the societal factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. Field trips and guest speakers enhance the learning process. Students are graded based on scores on multiple choice examinations, writing assignments and a course project.
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Interviewing and Counseling 42
This is a lecture based course dealing with the intricacies of interviewing juveniles and adults within correctional parameters. Preparation for employment in the probation/parole area are primary focus points for this course. Students are graded by multiple choice and class project.
Work Site Learning 94
This course is a program for students working in the law enforcement field. By completing paid or volunteer work at a sight, students receive credit based on an equation of so many hours equaling so many units up to 4 per semester 16 in total. Students receive credit based on successful completion of hours determined by prearranged contract.
PC 832 Arrest and Firearms 100 & 102
This is a P.O.S.T. certified course consisting of two parts. 40 hours of arrest course and 24 hours of firearms training. P.O.S.T. dictates the curriculum instructed and the testing done. Students successfully completing the course are certified by the state. This is part 1 of the 2 part program known as Level III 131.
Community Resources and Crisis Intervention 103
This is a discussion/instructional course on the techniques of dealing with people in emotional crisis. Instructed by “Help Inc.” instructors, students learn specific techniques in rendering assistance to people over the telephone. Scenario training is utilized. Students wishing to become volunteers for the Help program receive certification in the class.
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 106
This is an instructional program designed to develop advocates for those having been victim of sexual assault and/or domestic violence. Instructed by staff from the Shasta County Women’s Refuge, students learn the intricacies of assisting victims of these significant crimes. Students may become certified in the advocacy program and many volunteer and obtain employment through the refuge in this area. Students are tested by written exam and scenario in the program.
Special Topics in Administration of Justice 197
This is an open ended, multifaceted program into which any law enforcement related training may be put. It is primarily utilized for the offering of in-service training to working law enforcement officers. Officers receive certification through P.O.S.T. for completion of these programs.
Level III 131
This course is the first course in the Modular format presentation of the P.O.S.T. Basic Course or what is better known as the police academy. It is a P.O.S.T. certified course consisting of two parts. The first part is the course mentioned above, PC 832 A&R. The second part is called Level III part two. This is a 100 hr course covering multiple law enforcement topics. All curriculum and testing is established by P.O.S.T. It consists of lecture, instruction, hands on activities and scenarios. Students completing this course are eligible to move on to Level II, the second in the 3 part Modular Basic Course format.
Level II 132
This course is the second course in the Modular format presentation of the P.O.S.T. Basic Course or what is better known as the police academy. This a 228 hr course consisting of lecture, instruction, hands on and scenario work. All curriculum and testing is established by P.O.S.T. Students successfully completing the program are eligible to move on to Level I of the Modular Basic Course format.
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Note: Level III and II are courses designed specifically for students that can not attend a regular or intense Basic Course due to work or family obligations. These courses are instructed on weekends and evenings to facilitate this specific student need.
Handgun Safety Training 312
This is a 6 hr course in the instruction of the safe handling of a handgun. It is specifically designed as a refresher course for those possessing a California Concealed Weapons permit. The course meets state standards in this area.