Advanced Topics in

Criminal Justice

Unit 3 IP
Jeryl Calhoun
AIU Online
May 17, 2009
Law enforcement agencies across the country are
gaining the public’s trust through many new
community policing programs ex. (PCR) Police
Community relations. The significance of more
police presence in communities has created
partnerships between law enforcement, citizens
and community businesses. However, the citizens
are arguing how much they value their privacy
rights, but feel safer with police presence. Many
are torn between the fact that an increase in
police power can infringe on the public’s privacy
rights. (Criminal Justice Today, 9th ed, pg. 208)
Introduction

Police Power:

the inherent power of a government to

exercise reasonable control over persons

and property within its jurisdiction in the

interest of the general, health, safety,

morals and welfare except where legally

prohibited. (www.merriam-webster.com)
 Prevent Crime: A proactive approach to the problem
of crimes

Enforce the law: Apprehending offenders and bringing

them to justice

Preserve the peace: Limitless police activity that
covers more than violations of the law

Emergency response: police respond to a dispatcher’s

request to assist in an emergency

Criminal Investigation: Collect, collate and analyze a

crime

Problem Solving: Seeks to reduce chronic offending in

a community

(Criminal Justice Today, 9th ed.)

Understanding the role of law enforcement

Procedures that are viewed as a violation of public privacy:

Eavesdropping with an electronic device (the USA Patriot Act

of 2001)

No-Knock warrants or Probable cause to search an individual,

vehicle or property

Confiscation of personal property, money and computers

Information sharing across jurisdictions

Lack of discretion when a minor violation can be handled

informally

Surveillance, interrogations and financial records

Criminal Intelligence

The purpose of the police service is to

uphold the law fairly and firmly; to prevent

crime; to pursue and bring to justice those

who break the law; to keep the peace; to

protect, help and reassure the community;

and to be seen to do this with integrity,

common sense and sound judgment.
(Criminal Justice Today, 9th ed., pg 190)

Conclusion
 Criminal Justice Today, 9th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, Frank
Schmalleger


 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20power

 An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping
and Electronic Eavesdropping (1998); Privacy: An
Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and
Electronic Eavesdropping (2001); id. (2003);

id. (2006).


 http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/Personal_Autonomy


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

References:
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