CJS 1024 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Principles

1. Key terms, concepts, and content of police reports
2. Elements of the crime: definition and application
3. Role of documentation in law enforcement functions
4. Application of definitions and concepts through documentation of law enforcement situations
5. Interview techniques
6. Proper courtroom attire, procedure, and preparation

1. describe how perception, sympathy, empathy, compassion and respect affect peace officer communication. (1.1.1)
2. discuss barriers to clear communication, e.g. language, stress, bias, lack of common cultural understanding. (1.1.2)
3. use and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues to enhance interpersonal communications. (1.1.3)
4. describe and demonstrate active listening skills including paraphrasing, reflecting meaning, and summarizing understanding to obtain and clarify information. (1.1.4)
5. demonstrate reading comprehension skills necessary in law enforcement including: the ability to differentiate between facts, opinions and propaganda, understanding sequencing of events, and recognizing cause and effect. (1.1.5)
6. compose documents that demonstrate competent writing skills, including:
   1. -writing from the first person viewpoint
   2. -differentiating between facts, inferences and opinions,
   3. -correctly structuring sentences and paragraphs, and
   4. -using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. (1.1.6)
7. discuss discretion and how it differs from selective enforcement. (1.2.5)
8. applying reason and evidence to formulate logical inferences and draw logical conclusions. (1.3.3)
9. use critical thinking, logical reasoning and problem-solving strategies to formulate ideas, make proposals, and suggest solutions to a variety of law enforcement related problems or concerns (Minn.Stat. 626.8455) (1.3.5)
10. apply critical thinking strategies during team discussions. (1.3.6)
11. based on written scenarios involving law enforcement:
    1. -describe decisions officers must make,
    2. -suggest appropriate actions, and
    3. -defend those decisions and actions (1.4.4)
12. discuss how recognizing and valuing diversity, cultural differences and varied perspectives, promotes community unity, facilitates information gathering, and contributes to officer safety. (1.6.3)
13. describe characteristic of professional behavior and the Minnesota Standards of Conduct for licensing Minnesota peace officers. (1.7.1)
14. describe the repercussions for a finding of a violation of the State’s peace officers’ standards of conduct. (1.7.2)
15. identify the value of cooperation and collaboration in problem-solving. (1.7.3)
16. demonstrate effective and legible field-note taking including collecting crime scene intelligence from witnesses, victims, and suspects. (3.1.1)
17. solicit information and gather and organize facts needed for a police report. (3.1.2)
18. given a variety of law enforcement scenarios prepare reports that:
    1. -are written from the first person viewpoint,
    2. -differentiate between facts, inferences and opinions,
    3. -demonstrate correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence and paragraph structure
    4. -are clear, complete, concise and accurate, and
    5. -include all relevant details (3.1.3)
19. discuss interview techniques used to:
    1. -build rapport,
    2. -encourage full meaningful answers and discourage suggestability,
    3. -clarify and corroborate statements,
    4. -enhance memory,
    5. -detect deception, and
    6. -obtain information from reluctant witness (3.2.1)
20. conduct interviews using procedures that:
    1. -are appropriate to the situation,
    2. -ensure the protection of individual rights,
    3. -effectively gather information,
    4. -encourage cooperation, and
    5. -enhance memory
21. describe the relationship between good report writing and testimony. (3.3.1)
22. demonstrate proper courtroom dress and decorum. (3.3.2)
23. practice preparing for and presenting true and factual testimony in legal proceedings in accordance with courtroom procedure. (3.3.3)

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