Discussion 1

You are consulting with a large-size police department that has been criticized in the media for its high levels of recent incidents involving police errors in procedure, police misconduct, and revelations of inappropriate use of force. The police department and the police chief have come under extreme criticism from the media, the community and the city officials. On page 127 of Policing America: Challenges and Best Practices is a list of common curriculum implemented in a police academy. Answer each of the following questions pertaining to that curriculum and defend your answers:

• Looking at the nature of the curriculum and topics included, which training topics do you think might be added to help combat the above issues? Why would that help?
• Which topics should be expanded in their duration? Why?
• Which topics should be refreshed and included in continuing education of experienced officers? Why?
• Which curriculum topics should be deleted altogether? Why?