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

LO 1-1:  Discuss the concepts and mandate of the police in American society.

1. Practicum:  Imagine you must design training for police officers. In groups of 4-6, outline 3 potential sessions for each police function:  maintaining order, providing services, and enforcing the law.
2. Writing: Why is it critical for police officers to balance protecting individual rights and maintaining order? How can officers best uphold this balance? Discuss both an historical example and more recent example to illustrate your argument. Write in 1000-1200 words.

LO 1-2:  Describe the difficulty associated with attempting to make generalizations about law enforcement and the scope of the functions they perform

1. Role-playing:  In groups of 3-5, portray 5 situations in which citizens and police officers interact. Include a range of settings and circumstances.
2. Writing:  In 500-800 words, discuss your preconceived notion of law enforcement officers, then discuss 2-3 ways in which law enforcement is more complex than that initial preconception.

LO 1-3:  Identify the various levels and types of policing in the United States

1. Practicum:  In groups of 3-5, document 3 situations in which state police officers would be involved, and 3 situations in which federal agents would be involved.
2. Writing:  In 500-800 words, discuss the importance of various levels of policing. Consider the need for training, expertise, geographical knowledge, information sharing, and other relevant factors.

LO 1-4:  Discuss some of the current concerns of police in the United States

1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, outline 3 recent technological, economic, and societal changes that have impacted policing in your jurisdiction. Discuss the strengths and challenges each change presents to police departments.
2. Writing:  Imagine you are a senior police official. How do you stay present while being adaptable and encouraging other officers to do the same? Present 2-3 examples. Discuss in 800-1000 words.

LO 1-5:  Summarize the additional types of police and the functions they perform

1. Role-playing:  In groups of 2-4, create three scenarios in which additional types of police would be present.
2. Writing: Where do various police agencies overlap? What are strengths and challenges for collaboration between departments? Consider examples and discuss in 800-1000 words.