Assignment
Reasonable Force Scenario
Early in the afternoon, a patrol officer notices two men, between 17 and 20 years of age, walking in the middle of the street. The street has no other traffic and is in a residential part of the city. The officer pulls alongside the two men and orders them to use the sidewalk rather than walk in the street. A brief argument ensues, during which verbal insults are exchanged. Infuriated by the officer's response and his use of authority, one of the men reaches through the car window and grabs the officer's shirt with one hand while trying to hit him with the other. During the exchange, the officer fears that the man is trying to reach into the patrol car to take his gun. The officer reaches for his gun. Witnessing the exchange frightens the other man, who quickly runs from the area.
Deception Scenario
While investigating a string of burglaries, Officer Gordon finds a suspect that he is certain committed the crimes. He has no evidence, relying instead on his years of experience, his intuition, and his ever "accurate" sixth sense, all of which tell him the suspect is guilty.
Officer Gordon contacts the suspect and tells him that he wants to talk with him about the burglaries. He tells the suspect that he doesn't care whether he cooperates-he can simply take the evidence he has amassed to the court and obtain a warrant for the suspect's arrest. The suspect, fearing arrest and jail, meets with Officer Gordon at the police department for questioning. During the interview, Officer Gordon fabricates a story that convinces the suspect he has been caught. The suspect confesses to the burglaries, hoping that his cooperation will be viewed favorably by Officer Gordon. He is arrested and charged with seven counts pending a preliminary hearing.
The Facts Change
Reasonable Force Scenario
The officer was in the neighborhood searching for two young men who reportedly committed a strong-arm robbery at a nearby convenience store. The clothing and physical appearance of the young men walking down the middle of the street match the descriptions provided by the victim. When the officer pulls alongside the two men and orders them to use the sidewalk rather than walk in the street, he also intends to get a closer look at the men and question them about their recent whereabouts. The men deny involvement or knowledge of the robbery, and from there the scenario escalates as described in the Week 1 Discussion.
Deception Scenario
The suspect may be developmentally delayed, and other officers inform Officer Gordon that the suspect idolizes police officers. If he were able to, he would be an officer. The suspect is known to make efforts to help or please the police, despite having been arrested for shoplifting in the past. The suspect was not given Miranda rights during the initial interrogation. The "interview" took place in a secure area of the police station where the suspect was not free to leave if he chose.
Using the case studies above, answer the following questions, provide references.
Question I:
Read the Reasonable Force scenario from the What Would You Do? Case Studies.
Then, in 200 words, do the following:
1) Describe the action(s) you would take in the circumstances described.
2) Explain your rationale for the action(s) you took.
Question II:
Reread the Reasonable Force scenario and your response to Item 1. You will take on the perspective of the roles noted in bold for the following prompts. Each response should be 200 words.
1) Evaluate the scenario and your response through the lens of a fellow police officer.
2) Evaluate the scenario and your response through the lens of a citizen.
Question III:
Read "The Facts Change" Reasonable Force Scenario from the What Would You Do? Case Studies. Review your responses to Items 1 & 2. In 250 words, respond to the following:
1) Identify one changed circumstance that could lead to second-guessing your decisions in the reasonable force scenarios.
2) Explain why this new information might make you or others second-guess your decisions in the reasonable force scenarios.
Question IV:
Read the Deception scenario from the What Would You Do? Case Studies.
Then, in 250 words, do the following:
1) Describe the action(s) you would take in the circumstances described.
2) Explain your rationale for the action(s) you took.
Question V:
Reread the Discretion scenario and your response to Item 2. You will take on the perspective of the role noted in bold for the following prompt. The response should be 200 words.
1) Evaluate the scenario and your response through the lens of the courts.
Question VI:
Read "The Facts Change" section of the scenarios from the What Would You Do? Case Studies found in the resources. Review your responses to Items 4 & 5. In 250 words, respond to the following:
1) Identify one changed circumstance that could lead to second-guessing your decisions in the deception scenarios.
2) Explain why this new information might make you or others second-guess your decisions in the deception scenarios.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.