Criminal Justice Exam 2 Study Guide Correlations of Crime Age and Crime No finding is stronger than the age crime curve in criminology Involvement in crime is low early in life will peak between ages of 18 25 and then decreases with age Latent Trait Approach and cultural conditions age distribution of crime is invariant across social o Age has a different effect on crime o No factor or combination of factors can explain the age crime o Self Control Theory relationship term consequences of their actions the tendency of individuals to consider the long Focus is placed on early childhood socialization in the family which can produce an enduring criminal predisposition called low self control Life Course Approach indirect effect on crime age is correlated with important vents or factors which are highly related to crime age distribution of crime is not invariant age has an o Warr age peers delinquency they found that age doesn t have an impact on delinquency once peer influences are controlled for o Laub Sampson Stages Process of Justice each step and the order Police o 1 Initial contact o 2 Investigation o 3 Arrest o 4 Custody Courts o 5 Charges o 6 First Appearance o 7 Preliminary Hearing Grand Jury o 8 Arraignment o 9 Plea Bargaining o 10 Trial adjudication o 11 Disposition Police Functions of police Police Selection Process o In many communities it s based on a merit system A system of employment whereby an independent civil service commission in cooperation with the city personnel selection and the police department sets employment qualifications performance standards and discipline procedures o Officers employed under such a system are hired and tenured theoretically if they meet and maintain the employment qualifications and performance standards o They cannot be fired without cause o Process Short app Detailed app complete work history references medical profile Medical examination Physical agility test Written exam Background investigation Psychological test Oral interview Academy training Probation usually 6 months to a year which includes formal o Detectives don t wear uniforms anonymity during work hours if they choose steady work hours offices and desks Activities incident report preliminary investigation evidence collection and processing screening and case assignment follow up investigation clearance and arrest file maintenance o Patrol the backbone of the department it s the most time consuming and resource intensive task officers undertake respond to burglar alarms investigate traffic accidents care for injured people solve domestic disputes respond to radio calls arrests traffic directions patrol preliminary investigations Police Duties Responsibilities field training Police issues o Police use of corruption o Making the arrest 58 are felony encounters 42 are misdemeanors o Discretion The use of personal decision making and choice when carrying out the operations of the criminal justice system o Factors influencing use of deadly force police misconduct Police trends o Technology Jurisdiction cities versus rural areas population characteristics economic level of violence in an area Police Workload ratio of number of calls arrests by officers police stress Firearm Availability larger of crimes committed with firearms higher police violence gun density proportion of suicides and murders with guns o Research and findings avenues to control incidents Fleeing felon rule Computer aided dispatch programs Police dispatcher assisted by a computer Establishes priority for response to calls Assists dispatcher with details streets caller AVL devices Automatic Vehicle Locators Laptop computer radio devices etc in patrol cars o Online search and match capabilities o Community Proactive problem solving that goes beyond law enforcement arrest to include fear and social disorders Community participation in assessing arrest fear and social disorders Community policing vs traditional policing strategies Increases contact between police and community members Expands the duties definition of police work Decentralizes police departments Emphasizes community involvement via organizations surveys join agencies Community Policing a policing strategy and philosophy based on the notion that community interaction and support can help control crime and reduce fear with community members helping to identify suspects detain vandals and bring problems to the attention of the police