NCJ Number
35494
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 47-55
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE IDENTIFIES AND DISCUSSES THREE PRIMARY DEFICIENCIES IN EXISTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND PRESENTS ALTERNATIVES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION CURRICULA.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR SUGGEST THAT MOST CURRICULA INCLUDE FAR TOO MANY PROFESSIONALLY ORIENTED COURSES, MOST PROGRAMS PLACE UNDUE EMPHASIS UPON CURRICULA DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS TO PERFORM SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL TASKS, AND THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO PROVIDE A BROAD THEORETICAL ORIENTATION TO THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PROCESS, RATHER THAN A FOCUS UPON ANY PARTICULAR COMPONENT. ALSO CONSIDERED IS THE TENDENCY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO CLASSIFY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AS VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL DEFICIENCIES WHICH HAS EXACERBATED THESE DEFICIENCIES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HEAVY EMPHASIS BE PLACED UPON THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA WHILE DELEGATING TO PRACTICING AGENCIES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH THEIR NEWLY EMPLOYED PERSONNEL SPECIFIC PROCEDURES UNIQUE TO THE NUMEROUS ROLES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING SHOULD INCLUDE INCORPORATION OF SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION OF THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, PLACEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION BASED IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND ANALYTIC RATHER THAN PRESCRIPTIVE CONTENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)