Course Objectives
This course examines current issues confronting law enforcement and policing. It describes the paradigm shift from professional crime control to community-oriented policing. The course appraises available research addressing evidence-based policing, crime mapping, CompStat, accountability, and green criminology.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding:
- CLO1: Demonstrate understanding of critical issues in policing (use of force, human rights, and discretionary authority).
- CLO2: Understand police subculture, accountability mechanisms, use of new technologies, and smart policing.
- CLO3: Explain contemporary police approaches to reduce crime using evidence-based policing, CompStat, mapping, and green policing.
- CLO4: Describe the role and function of police in a society and the impact of law enforcement on public support.
- CLO5: Identify the key challenges to reforming police in developing countries.
Syllabus & Lecture Details
| Lecture | Topics / Contents | CLOs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crime: A police problem or a social problem? | CLO1 |
| 2 | Policing Continuity and Change: Political-oriented, professional, community-oriented, problem-oriented, broken windows, and zero tolerance. | CLO1 |
| 3 | Paradigm Shift in Public Order Policing: Regional case studies (e.g., Hong Kong). | CLO3 |
| 4 | Evidence-Based Policing (EBP): Principles, models, applications to practice, and assessing research evidence. | CLO3 |
| 5 | CompStat Policing: Process and management principles for crime reduction. | CLO3 |
| 6 | Predictive Policing: Crime forecasting in law enforcement and its application in developing countries. | CLO3 |
| 7 | Crime Mapping & Analysis: GIS systems for crime tracking and analysis. | CLO3 |
| 8 | Private Policing: Private security organizations and public-private partnerships. | CLO4 |
| 9 | Human Rights and Policing: Ethical concerns and modern operational boundaries. | CLO1 |
| 10 | Mid-term Examination | - |
| 11 | Police Accountability: Control, independence, and oversight in developed and developing countries. | CLO2 |
| 12 | Police Reforms: Challenges in South Asia; the impact of the Police Reform Programme (PRP) in Bangladesh. | CLO5 |
| 13-14 | Smart Policing: Integrating advanced technology, databases, and scientific methods into daily operations. | CLO2 |
| 15 | Green Policing: Green criminology contours, environmental law enforcement, and Southern green criminology in Bangladesh. | CLO3 |
| 16-19 | Crime Analysis & Intelligence: Role of intelligence in national security; intelligence cycle, crime analysis models, and evaluations. | CLO4 |
| 20 | Presentation | - |
Quick Course Data
Credit points
4 Credits
Course Type
Elective
Guided Self-Study
22 Hours
Assessment & Evaluation
Class Attendance & Participation5%
Writing Assignments10%
Mid-Term Exam15%
Presentation10%
Final Exam60%
Recommended Readings
- Andrew Millie & Dilip K. Das (Eds.) (2014) - Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement and Policing, CRC Press
- Cynthia Lum & Christopher S. Koper (2017) - Evidence-Based Policing: Translating Research into Practice, Oxford University Press
- Johannes Knutsson & Lisa Thomson (2017) - Advances in Evidence-based Policing, Routledge