After weeks of writing and posting blogs I have learned much about the field of criminal justice. I have explored many aspects of the field and often connected them back to real world experiences.
Learning about your field
Ethics and beliefs are a major part of the criminal justice system we have today. I have learned that these moral codes can be seen throughout all departments of the criminal justice system. Although ethics and codes may vary from state-to-state, and/or from department-to-department, I have learned one very important detail: The ethics, codes, and standards of each individual department must remain constant.
This claim is most apparent in my open blog post titled: "Different Styles of Policing." James Wilson claimed that each style of policing was reflective of the ethics of any particular department. Wilson also stated that the resources available to the department would be a deciding factor in the style of policing.
Wilson brings up a good point that the style of individual officers reflects the style of the department. This is the key to having a moral code that is the staple of each individual department across the United States. I have learned that it is the officer's duty to represent his department in a positive manner.
In the first question of my interview with Mr. Joel Allen, I was able to understand how clearly each department differs in mannerism. Mr. Allen said, "Although I was never a policeman here in East Lansing, I would describe it as a community style. Police are looking to have a positive relationship with people on campus here, and not just enforce the law 100% of the time." It is important to note the fact that Mr. Allen was never a part of the East Lansing Police Department. He was, in fact, previously hired by numerous other departments across the state.
I point this fact out because it shows just how easy it is to separate departments in terms of codes, ethics, and policing style. James Wilson was able to develop a theory that can be applied to each and every agency in the country. Wilson's theory can be used by police agencies, officers, and everyday citizens.
It has been established that each department has it's own codes of conduct, and that the officers of each department share the codes and ethics. A real life example of this would be face-to-face interaction with a police officer. In my post titled: "Practicing Your Knowledge: Police Officers at MSU," there is a real world example of an officer representing his department. The officer conducts himself in a friendly manner, which accurately depicts the community style of policing here at Michigan State University, as described by Mr. Joel Allen.
These examples show that although ethics, codes, and policing styles may vary statewide and nationwide, they remain a constant for each department individually.
Learning about your research/writing
After keeping my personal blog running for a span of 10 weeks, I have experienced a few major components of police work. Policing is a job that is repetitive, yet spontaneous everyday. In order to be successful as an officer, or as a department as a whole, it is vital to stay focused and professional.
One of the first things I was able to relate to police work was my experience of writing. According to Mr. Joel Allen officers must record things such as daily activities, witness statements, victim statements, and self evaluations. These processes have proven to be key factors to success in policing. Through blogging, I feel somewhat prepared for reporting things like daily activities. It is difficult to write about daily activities and findings a few times a week. Although blogging is a much more informal in style compared to police writing, it is important to learn what it is like to write everyday. Blogging has shown me how to grow and expand myself and my ways of thinking. I think that is also a goal of police writing their daily activities.
Through learning about criminal justice and law enforcement, I have also experienced what it is like to turn my findings in research into my own writing. Police officers use research to investigate criminals, evidence, and crime scenes. The police use this research to make their job easier, and to be more effective in their strategies. When I blog I do similar work. Each blog I write starts with a prompt or question (the crime). I use prior knowledge and research to help in answering the question (the research and investigation). Next, I process the facts I have gathered and finish answering the question I have been asked (the solving of the case). Finally I publish my answer online, and move on to a new question (case solved). I understand that writing a blog is not exactly equal to solving a crime, but the two processes can compare in some fashion.
Communication in law enforcement is a critical part of the field. I still have questions as to what terms I will need to know if i would like to become a police officer. I know that words used between officers and in courtrooms are learned through personal experience. Because many of these things are learned on the job, there is no great way for me to experience what it is like beforehand. My criminal justice teacher has said that much of the experience of police work comes through police training. This has given me the knowledge that it is important to work hard in training, because it is where you give yourself a foundation for the rest of your career in criminal justice.
During the blogging experience, I have discovered many things about policing. I have struggled to stay focused, which is something I will need to work on if I want to pursue a career in law enforcement. I have discovered that I am pretty good at answering questions using research I have found. I believe this will make me a good candidate.
The blogging experience was successful overall. It made me realize that maybe a profession in astronomy was not right for me. It also made me realize what some of the ins and outs of police work are like. I am glad I participated in blogging, because I feel as though I have been informed on what policing truly like, and I have also gained critical experiences in the field.
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