Chapter Activities

These lively and stimulating ideas for use in and out of class reinforce active learning. The activities apply to individual or group projects.

LO 2-1:  Identify the influence of English roots of policing on American policing

  1. Documentation:  In groups of 2-4, outline the guidelines established by Peel and Colquhoun and what elements remain in your local police department. Present to the class.
  2. Writing:  In 500-800 words, describe the gradual evolution of a night watch system to metropolitan policing and what it reveals about development in England and the US.

LO 2-2:  Describe the influence of technology on the evolution of early American policing

  1. Role-playing:  In groups of 3-5, portray police activities in the 1850s, and then in the 1870s. Highlight similarities and differences.
  2. Writing:  How are the police duties of preventing crime, providing services, and apprehending criminals interdependent? Reflect in 800-1000 words.

LO 2-3:  Summarize the issues facing policing during the Political Era

  1. Role-playing:  In groups of 4-6, create 3-5 scenarios in which politics and policing intersect. Consider how politicians exert their influence, how police may be influenced, and how the public perceives such interaction.
  2. Writing:  In 1000-1200 words, discuss current measures for police accountability and potential reform proposals to strengthen police effectiveness and prevent corruption.

LO 2-4:  Explain the effect on policing of the changes implemented during the Reform Era

  1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, outline how police duties and bureaucracies evolved during the Reform Era. Consider debates, public needs, and the strengths and weaknesses of each phase in these reforms.
  2. Writing:  How did historical events, such as the 18th Amendment, the Great Depression, and wars, affect policing? How do current events that appear not directly related to policing nevertheless affect policing? Reflect in 1000-1200 words.

LO 2-5:  Describe the relationship between the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s and the increased emphasis on research on police effectiveness

  1. Practicum:  In groups of 4-6, imagine you are designing a research project to examine the effectiveness of your local police department. Outline 5-7 key indicators of success you would investigate and how you would measure these indicators. 
  2. Writing:  Why was research on police effectiveness during the 1960s and 1970s needed? How could research be used to improve police effectiveness today? Consider current debates, various stakeholders, and potential obstacles surrounding such research. Discuss in 1000-1200 words.

LO 2-6:  Identify aspects of the community policing model and problem-oriented policing

  1. Documentation:  In groups of 2-4, document the similarities and differences, and strengths and weaknesses of community-policing and problem-oriented policing.
  2. Writing:  Imagine you are a police officer. In 500-800 words, reflect on ways you would aim to incorporate aspects of both community-policing and problem-oriented policing in your job.

LO 2-7:  Evaluate at least three contemporary policing strategies in terms of their effectiveness

  1. Debate:  In groups of 4-6, create a two-sided debate around the necessities of and challenges within homeland security policing practices. Conclude with discussion around best practices in homeland security policing considering such debates.
  2. Writing:  Consider how the public, policymakers, and police view Homeland Security Era law enforcement tactics. In 800-1000 words, reflect on how these perceptions overlap, diverge, and shape policing policies and practices.

LO 2-8:  Describe the challenges facing contemporary police departments

  1. Practicum:  In groups of 4-6, imagine you are the administration of a police department. Create 5-7 strategic plan goals to optimize your department’s effectiveness. Consider training, budgeting, and organization; intelligence-led and terrorism-oriented strategies; community relations; and other relevant factors. Present to the class as if you’re presenting to both police officers and local residents.
  2. Writing:  In 800-1000 words, discuss the challenges of balancing crime prevention and protecting civil liberties. Write as if you are a police officer submitting this essay for an Op-Ed.