Program Overview

LCRM202 - Police Studies

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

Real-world crime problems are tackled through policing. Knowledge and understanding of the historical origins of policing, how these have impacted on contemporary practice and organizational structures of policing, the scientific basis of hotspot policing, and the use of 'problem-oriented' policing are needed when considering real-world crime problems.

This unit introduces the topic of policing through both a historical and contemporary context. It begins by helping students to build the knowledge and understanding needed to explain how the varying historical origins of policing have impacted on contemporary practice, and organizational structures of modern policing. This understanding is then further elaborated by learning the scientific rationale for modern policing methods such as hotspot policing, Problem-Oriented Policing (POP), and community-based policing. Students will then develop their ability to apply their understanding to a real-world crime problem.

The aim of this unit is to develop students' understanding of modern policing methods in order to apply this to real-world crime problems.

Campus Offering

The unit is offered at the following campuses:

• Brisbane
• Blacktown
• Melbourne
• North Sydney

Each campus offers the unit in Semester 1, with a multi-mode study option.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe key themes around the development of modern policing practice and the broader impact that each approach has on crime.
2. Explain approaches to modern police practice.
3. Apply understanding of contemporary policing methods to a real-world crime problem.

These outcomes are informed by graduate capabilities that ensure students' work in this unit contributes to their overall development of attributes such as insight, empathy, imagination, and impact.

Content

Topics covered in the unit include:

• The evolution of policing
• Comparative structures and styles of policing
• The new plural policing
• The standard model of policing
• Community policing and Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)
• Hot spot policing and third-party policing
• Investigations
• Policing diverse communities
• Recruitment, management, and leadership
• Accountability and regulation
• The future of police practice and policy

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process and is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, critical thinking, and effective research, written, and oral communication skills. The unit is assessed through three assignments:

1. Online Multiple-Choice/Short Answer Exam: This assessment requires students to complete a short multiple-choice exam consisting of 20 questions covering the first 4 weeks of course content. It assesses students' ability to identify key terms and meanings relating to key concepts presented in the unit.
2. Research Essay: Students critically evaluate one contemporary approach to policing and its impact on outcomes for crime and the community. The research essay allows students to engage with the policing literature more broadly and demonstrate an understanding of policing strategies and evidence.
3. Report: Students apply their knowledge of policing practices by developing a policing response to a real-world crime problem. They use online resources to identify a specific crime problem in a geographical and temporal location and apply a suitable crime response.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The unit comprises 150 hours of study over a 12-week semester, with a combination of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed study. The learning strategy is designed to provide students with a developmental sequence of learning activities that scaffold their learning through acquisition of requisite knowledge, development of understanding, and the application of this understanding in practice. This approach involves undertaking practical learning and assessments that focus on real-world problems and challenges, promoting the development of problem-solving, decision-making, and investigative skills related to policing and its impact on crime and the community.

Representative Texts and References

Key texts and references for the unit include:

• Drew J, & Prenzler T, Contemporary police practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2015.
• Allard T, Understanding and preventing Indigenous offending, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, Sydney, 2010.
• Cordner G, & Beibel, Problem-oriented policing in practice. Criminology and Public Policy, 4(2), 155-180, 2005.
• Mazerolle L, & Ransley J, The case for third-party policing. In D. Weisburd & A. A, Braga (Eds), Police innovation: Contrasting perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2006.
• Sutton A, Cherney A, White R, & Clancey G, Crime prevention: principles, perspectives and practices. Cambridge University Press, UK, 2021.

Locations and Credit Points

The unit is available at multiple locations, including Brisbane, Blacktown, Melbourne, and North Sydney, and is worth 10 credit points.