Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Course Description

This course explores the role of police in society, theories of crime causation, and their impact on agency policy and practice. You’ll examine crime trends and the organizational structures, policies, strategies, and tactics used to promote effective, efficient, and equitable policing. Prerequisite: WR 121. Audit available.

Students will get a broad introduction to law enforcement within the criminal justice system, including the role of police and how local, state, and federal agencies are organized. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at police work, including hiring, testing, background investigations, and career opportunities. Whether you’re considering a criminal justice career or simply curious about the profession, this course offers a starting point.

This course is required before taking any 200-level Criminal Justice classes at Portland Community College. Coursework may include texts and journals, lectures, group discussions, videos, student projects, field trips, community volunteer work, and guest speakers.
 

Intended Outcomes for the course

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

Explain major theories of crime causation and their implications for policy and practice.

Compare and contrast organizational structures, policies, strategies, and tactics used to promote effective, efficient, and equitable policing.

Use official data to locate and evaluate crime trends.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

You may demonstrate your learning through objective and/or subjective exams, projects or activities, and/or written assignments.
 

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

You’ll explore topics such as:
Criminal justice system: history, organization, and processes
Nature of crime victimization
Criminal law: history and sources
Perspectives on crime and violence
Law enforcement: past, present, and future
Private-sector enforcement and security
Crime prevention and community policing
Police roles, functions, and responsibilities
Discretion, ethics, culture, and challenges in law enforcement
Searches, seizures, exclusions, detentions, and arrests