Critical Understanding of Modern Criminology and Criminal Justice

Issues

By
Kimberley Arnold

LEPSL 599 Integrative Capstone Module 5

University of San Diego
Professor Nuno Tavares
November 18, 2019
 Modern criminology and criminal justice issues go beyond the handcuffs and patrol

vehicles. They take a look behind the scenes to evaluate and address social issues within the

communities they serve and the well-being of the officers and Coroner Investigators. Modern

law enforcement leaders must realize that human beings, not robots, wear the uniform. Budgets

no longer just include weapons, flashlights, and training. Organizational leaders need to have an

open mind and be introspective and aware of how they view others based on their own lived

experiences.

These three papers were chosen because they represent current issues that law

enforcement leaders will need to engage now and for the future. The first paper I chose is The

Best Present is Presence: Understanding the Effects of Stress and Trauma in the Coroner

Investigator. This highlights the dangers not related to fighting crime that occur with those

working in law enforcement. In my second paper, The Homeless Matter, the Mayor has tasked

me with allocating $700,000 of our budget to form a Homeless Outreach Taskforce. I detail

exactly where I am making taking away from other sections of our department to ensure this

mandate is fulfilled. In the third paper, Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!, I talk about leadership’s

responsibility to be open to new ideas and inclusive of those they may not have considered

collaborating with in the past.

In my first paper, The Best Present is Presence: Understanding the Effects of Stress and

Trauma in the Coroner Investigator, I write about the importance of agencies to address the

mental and physical health and well-being of its employees. PTSD has been studied in police

officers, fire fighters, and paramedics, but not in the Coroner Investigator. Counseling is
sometimes offered to officers if they encounter a gruesome crime scene, but the Coroner

Investigator is often overlooked. I recommend that our agency adopt mindfulness training and

offer access to psychological assistance when needed.

In The Homeless Matter, I made a budget where I took from various sections of the

department to make the new outreach team. Agencies are becoming increasingly expensive to

operate, especially with pricey items like BWCs and UAV’s. I explain that not every budget

request made within the department can be granted and we must prioritize. Budgets can be

unpleasant, in some years every department division may take a cut. Priorities, such as Mayoral

requests, will be addressed and some items will wait for next year. I also address different

options to fundraising. It is imperative that agency leaders assemble a responsible budget that

serves both the agency and the communities.

In my third paper, Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!, I discuss the importance of treating others well,

no matter their status in the agency. Today’s law enforcement leader cannot hide behind a desk or

closed door. He/she will work to bridge the gap between the multiple generations that work in

the department. They should be inclusive and set the example for the rest of the agency. Getting

to know yourself will help you realize and overcome your biases in the workplace.

All of these topics are here to stay. We can cut body worn cameras from a budget, but we

cannot cut the human aspect of police work. A modern agency is proactive and engaged with the

community, even if it means having to “deal with the homeless”. Officers need mental health

options even if it means “they appear weak” to ask for help. And leaders need to include others

in decision making even if it means “they have to deal with Millennials”.