Overview
This assignment is designed to allow you to demonstrate what you have learned about the roles and responsibilities of patrol officers and criminal investigators (detectives) who serve distinct but interconnected roles in law enforcement. Understanding the similarities and differences between their responsibilities is essential to appreciating how police operations function as a system.
Prepare for this assignment by reviewing:
- Section 4.1: PatrolLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Policing
- Section 4.2 Criminal InvestigationsLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Policing
- Section 4.3 Controversial Police MethodsLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Policing
- Section 4.4 Specialized UnitsLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Policing
- Section 1.3 Preliminary InvestigationsLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
- Section 1.4 The Investigator at the Crime Links to an external site.Scene Links to an external site.in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
- Section 1.5 Crime Scene ProceduresLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
- Section 6.1 Interviews and InterrogationsLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
- Section 6.2 Eyewitness IdentificationLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
- Section 6.5 Report Writing and TestimonyLinks to an external site. in Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
Using the required resources for this module and through your own research on the subject, develop an essay that:
- Describe the core duties of a patrol officer, including response roles, routine patrol strategies, preliminary investigations, and public engagement.
- Describe the core duties of a criminal investigator, including the phases of the investigation (preliminary, follow-up) and case-building responsibilities.
- Discuss the different skill sets, training, and tools used in each role (e.g., interviewing, surveillance, forensic analysis, report writing, community interaction).
- Analyze how patrol and investigative units collaborate to solve crimes and maintain public safety.
- Provide an example or case scenario illustrating this collaboration.
Your essay:
- Must be a minimum of 700 words (not including title and reference pages)
- Be formatted according to APA styleLinks to an external site.
- Must include a separate title page with the following:
- Title of Paper
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
- Must utilize an academic voice.
- Must include an introduction and a conclusion paragraph.
- Must use at least two (3) scholarly, peer-reviewed, or other credible sources.
- At least 2 of the 3 sources must be course resources
- Must document (citeLinks to an external site.) any information used from sources in APA style.
- Must include a separate reference pageLinks to an external site. that is formatted according to APA style