Social Sciences/Human Services Division

This program is designed to prepare students to work in the field of Law Enforcement. Law enforcement practitioners demonstrate an understanding of the law enforcement and criminal justice system, apply principles of law enforcement operation, learn about the collection and presentation of evidence and technologies utilized in the field, practice the techniques and management of patrol operations and demonstrate the understanding and application of criminal law. Graduates are prepared for employment as patrolman, police officer, state trooper, deputy sheriff, corrections officer, youth detention officer, customs inspector, immigration detention officer, loss prevention investigator, private investigator and claims investigator.

Program Competencies

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the sectors of criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) including the interrelationships within the system and the role of the U.S. Constitution in the criminal justice system
• Acquire an overall perspective on the history, philosophy, and theories of the criminal justice system as it relates to adults and juveniles
• Exhibit awareness of the judicial process of both the federal and state court systems with a specific emphasis on substantive criminal law, legal defenses, and the rules of criminal procedure
• Analyze the functions of institutional and community based corrections within the correctional system
• Trace the evolution of policing from a respond and prosecute crime approach to a community oriented problem solving approach
• Analyze the legal and ethical issues in criminal justice
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically and analytically and respond to various criminal justice situations