Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
This assignment is designed to combine the following skills:

    

·            Investigative research

·            Observation

·            Problem solving

·            Critical Thinking

·            Judgment / discretion

·            Application of academic research to a current issue in law enforcement



Your task is to identify a problem that exists in the community, the create an idea for a new program, or an improvement to an existing program to enhance community policing initiatives.  As these models will be theoretically based, you will need to do some research.  You will need to explain why this project is a worthwhile endeavor, the ways in which it reflects community policing principles, how it will benefit the community, the desired impact on the local crime rate, etc. 



Next, you will then write a 2000 to 2500 word response paper for the problem identified and observed. The paper must be typewritten, with 1” margins and 12 point type required, and should stress those aspects of the problem which you deem most important as identified by information in the text and your research.



Criteria:  The following should serve as a final checklist before you turn in your paper.



1) 2000 words minimum;

2) double spaced—12 point academic font;

3) written in first person voice ;

4) initial section that introduces the reader to your topic;

5) describe community policing as a philosophy, and explain how these values are reflected in your project;

6) body of paper adding material from primary sources such as statistics or journal articles on topic.  You will be expected to use a minimum of THREE scholarly journals that relate to the topic at hand.  Use the EBSCOHOST or PROQUEST search engines from the CMCC Learning Commons website to search for your articles.

7) body of paper discussing the reality of the problem. 

8) a conclusion which offers any possible remedies you may recommend

9) Title page with your name, topic, and abstract

10) Bibliography page with your sources in APA format .  You will cite any sources you use, and will likely have between 6 and 10 sources.  These include news sources, the textbook, interviews, and the three scholarly journals.  Use Noodlebib via the CMCC Library Website.  If you have not already, you will need to create a login and password.


SUGGESTED FORMAT

My suggested format would be to open with a statement of what the problem is that you're studying.  Here's an example:  Let's say that you want to create a plan to cut down on the amount of intoxicated driving occurrences in Auburn.  You could interview an Auburn Police officer and ask where he/she thinks most of the arrestees have been drinking prior to being arrested (if it is a club or other liquor establishment).  I would also ask where the OUI arrests are most prominent and what time frame (11pm to 2am, for example). 


Once you have your information, put together a plan to help reduce intoxicated driving occurrences.  A plan that integrated the community policing philosophy would likely have an educational component (such as an awareness campaign).  I would find a news article that discusses what another jurisdiction has done in the past, or perhaps an article that relates to an OUI accident.  I would locate some other sources that talk about the dangers of drinking and driving, or even perhaps refer to crime data in order to provide a look at the prevalence of the problem.  You could even compare Maine to the rest of the country.  Then, you could explain how these procedures reflect the community policing ideology in utilizing police resources to target a public safety issue.



My outline would look like this:



Introduction (1 to 2 pages)  State your problem and discuss its importance /relationship to public safety.  Discuss the purpose of your article (e.g., to propose a plan to help reduce intoxicated driving occurrences on Center Street in Auburn.  Describe the community policing philosophy, and explain how your project reflects these principles and values.



Body (2-3 pages)  Describe your plan and how you plan to implement it.  Perhaps your plan would be to increase patrols dedicated to OUI enforcement between 11pm and 2am on evenings when the particular clubs are open.  Part of your plan might be to coordinate meetings/trainings with local bar owners and their bartenders to discuss the dangers of over-serving as well as ensuring clubs are not letting people in beyond capacity.  Then discuss the steps you would take to implement your plan, which should include a timeline as well as a way to keep track of data. You would want to have it in your plan to evaluate your plan after a certain amount of time, and be able to reflect on the data you have to determine areas of efficiency.



Review of Literature (approximately 2pages) Write a summary of what you learned from each of your sources and how the information helps to further one's understanding of the issue at hand.  Assess each source and note areas you agree/disagree with the information contained in the article or the particular author.  Relate the information to your plan where appropriate and provide appropriate in-text citations.



Conclusion (approximately 1 page)  Summarize your paper and refer back to your introduction, stating why this is an important plan / project to undertake.  Make a few statements as to why this is important to public safety, and note any other societal implications (saving taxpayers money, etc.)



This should serve as a general guideline for how you put your paper together.  Obviously you will adapt your own topic to this format, and there will be some differences.