CJM 410 Management of Criminal Justice
Information Systems (Tutorial Version)
Home | Module One | Module Two | Module Three | Module Four
Website Review Project | Course Resources | About the Instructor

 

Instructor:
Raymond E. Foster, MPA
 
Course Description:
This course concentrates on the introduction and use of technology in the management of criminal justice data and systems and is used as a core course in an online criminal justice degree. The learner examines the issues and impacts on criminology and the criminal justice system caused by the availability and usage of technological advancements. It will also survey the trends and uses of modern technology in police response, criminal investigations, communications, response to major incidents and the administration of management and personnel data. It will examine problematic issues, impact on current laws, jurisdiction, the potential unintended consequences of technology in criminal justice management.

Learning Results:

  1. Compare and contrast the difference between tactical, strategic and management information in a criminal justice organization;
  2. Summarize and assess the limitations, strengths and potentials of criminal justice management technologies such as data bases, geographic information systems and a myriad of communications schemes;
  3. Develop information, technology, research and computer literacy skills through practical exercises, and course required research and assignments;
  4. Express, interpret and assess the ethical and social impact of technology and information systems on criminal justice management, stakeholders and personnel through written assignments, group presentations and individual presentations.
  5. Describe and summarize how technology has changed crime and created new types of crimes;
  6. Describe and summarize the ethical considerations of information management such as employee monitoring, search and seizure, and other contemporary issues; and,
  7. Place the role of technology and information management in a broader context by examining the historical, theoretical and practical developments of technology in criminal justice.
     
Source Material:
Foster, Raymond E. Police Technology Prentice Hall, July 2004
 
Order a Copy of Police Technology
 
All other readings are available online through hyperlinks provided on the course website.  Additionally, "helper" websites have been identified and are provided for each module.  Generally, "helpers" are websites that provide an explanation or presentation concerning a technical concept.  You may find these particularly helpful.  You can find all the the helper websites, organized by text chapter on the course companion website Police Technology.

(The following required and recommended readings are hyperlinked off the different module pages website)

Required Supplemental Readings:
·        
Your Source for Law Enforcement IT Guidance, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, May 20
·        
Introduction to Wireless Data, Broadbeam White Paper, 2003
·        
When They Can’t Talk, Lives Are Lost, National Institute for Justice

Recommended Readings:
·        
800 MHz Public Safety Interference: The Consensus Plan, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, October 2003.
·        
Your Source for Law Enforcement IT Guidance, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, May 2003
·        
Radio Spectrum, Executive Technology Brief, National Institute for Justice
·        
Intranets: A New Tool for Corrections Managers, Ned Benton, Corrections Managers' Report, October/November 1996
·        
Introduction to Wireless Data, Broadbeam Corporation, Trenton, New Jersey, 2000
·        
Improving Public Safety through Justice Information Sharing, National Governor's Association,
      A Center for Best Practices, February 2004

·        
Public Safety and the Interoperability Challenge Public Safety and the Interoperability, Smith, Brenna and
      Tom Tolman, AGILE, April 2000

·        
Crime Analysis in America: Findings and Recommendations, Timothy C. O'Shea, Ph.D.
·        
DNA Testing: Foolproof? CBS News 60 Minutes
·         
A Beginner's Primer on the Investigation of Forensic Evidence, Kruglick, Kim
·        
Can Wiretaps Remain Cost Effective? Hanson, Robin
·        
History Repeated: The Dangers of Domestic Spying by Federal Law Enforcement, ACLU, 2007

General Information:
This course is organized into four modules of instruction. In this eight week session, each module is two weeks in length. In the semester configuration, each module is roughly four weeks in length. It is important to determine assignment due dates via the schedule below; they are different for session and semester learners. Each module includes specific activities and assignments. Before you begin any course work, read through the entire learning agreement and course website. Further explanation of the various assignments and expectations can be found in this section and on the module pages.

Forum Participation
Through the forum you will be able to participate and establish a dialogue with tutorial learners in this course as well as other courses being taught by your instructor. To receive full credit for participation you must answer each discussion question and respond to at least one other learner/student in the same discussion question. Minimally, you will complete two posts on the forum during each module.  Specific information on logging into the forum is found on the module one page.  Each module of instructions contains a hyperlink to the proper question. Superior responses to discussion questions (the grade A) will be those responses that not only incorporate the primary text, but also the supplemental readings, additional research and the learner’s personal experiences. It is not enough to just answer the question, you must find connections.

Try This Exercises
In addition to recording what happened, you should also analyze the exercise. Ask yourself: How is this useful to criminal justice practitioners? What management, social or ethical issues are involved in the use of this technology?

Mid-term Paper
Learners are required to prepare typed, 3-5 page paper on a course related issue (Fragmentation, Community Policing, or Situational Crime Prevention). At a minimum, it is expected that the learners will produce an academically sound and properly formatted work (APA format is strongly encouraged); with a minimum of three sources, not including the text book. The papers will be graded on content as well as exposition. Superior papers will incorporate management and supervision issues as well as a discussion the impact of technology in the area chosen.

Final Paper
The final three chapters of the primary text book will be used as broad outline for the Session/Semester project. Your task is to produce an eight to ten page analysis of the topic you choose. The three board areas of inquiry are: Personnel and Training; Implementing and Managing Technology; and, Emerging and Future Technologies. At a minimum, the paper should be 8-10 pages in length with 8-10 references. The book may be used as a reference.

In addition to being in properly formatted (APA is strongly encouraged), the paper should address the following under these specific headings:

Background
Impact of Technology
Non-technology Alternatives
Stakeholders
Outcomes and Consequences (intended and un-intended)
Recommendations.

During the Session/Semester you are required to submit certain parts of your research/paper.
1. Module One: One paragraph describing the topic you have chosen;
2. Module Two: Expanded bibliography. An expanded bibliography details your source and describes in three or four sentences how that source will be used in your paper.
3. Module Three: As an option, you may submit a draft of your paper during Module Three. If you are having difficulty writing the paper or understanding the directions, this is the time to seek assistance. The draft option is only available during Module Three.
4. Module Four: Submit final paper.

Website Review
The websites for review can be found on that page.  For this assignment, choose five of the websites. Write a one-page management briefing paper on each. Presume for this assignment that your supervisor has directed you to review these five sites and that you are to brief your agency’s chief executive on website. What information is critical for your agency’s chief executive?

Exams
Exams one and two will consist of 50 multiple choice, true-false or short answer questions. All of the material in the exams will come from the primary text and will be cumulative. The exams will be sent via email and should be returned via US Mail.
 

Learning Evaluation:

Grading:
Exam One                               10%
Exam Two                               10%
Participation                            10%
Discussion Questions            10%
Practical Exercises                10%
Mid Term Paper                      20%
Final Paper or Assignment     30%
Semester Total                     100%
 

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

U

69% and Under


 

 

 

Papers and Assignments:

All papers and assignments are to be submit online, through the website provided for the course.  The assignments are to be attached to an email.  All papers are to be double-spaced, 12 point Garamond font.  Use of the APA style of writing is required.  Papers are graded on content and well as exposition.  Each paper must have a heading with the students name, course title, assignment title and date.  All papers are must be sent by midnight on the due date.  Absent prior discussion with the instructor, all late assignment will lose one letter grade.

Note:  All assignments, particularly forum postings are due on or before the stated dates.  Late assignments will lose one letter grade.

Download a copy of the Course Syllabus

Due Dates Fall 2009
Session I Session II Go To
August 31, 2009 October 26, 2009 Session Begins
September 11, 2009 November 6, 2009 Module One
September 25, 2009 November 11, 2009 Module Two
October 9, 2009 December 4, 2009 Module Three
October 21, 2009 December 16, 2009 Module Four
October 24, 2009 December 19, 2009 Session Ends

© 2004-2009 Raymond E. Foster, Hi Tech Criminal Justice