Assignment:
Probation Performance Improvement
You have been hired to advise an underperforming probation department. This department has seen very high employee turnover and frequent criticism from judges unhappy with the supervision being provided to those sentenced in their courtrooms.
A new director has been hired and is expecting guidance from you. Create a 6- to 8-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, addressing the following:
? Describe the functions performed by a probation officer, including a discussion of "role ambiguity."
? Describe the job requirements for new hires and recommend whether they are appropriate or should be changed. (You will need to research the job requirements for probation officers in your area).
? As stated above, this department has seen very high rates of turnover among employees. Identify the aspects of the position that may lead to burnout. What can managers do to minimize the impact of factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction and burnout?
Support your responses with examples. Use the notes section of the slides to elaborate as necessary and to provide citations. Cite any sources using the APA format on a separate slide.
On the basis of this article and your other research, address the following in a 4 to 5 page Microsoft Word document:
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/202289.pdf
? Discuss the trends in recruiting, selecting, and retaining police officers. What suggestions can you offer for improving the recruitment, selection, and retention of qualified police officers? Be specific about the traits you would seek in new recruits and why you would look for such traits.
? The article was specific to police officers. Do the same recruitment guidelines apply to other criminal justice agencies, such as a prison? How would a recruitment strategy for prison personnel differ?
? The article you reviewed was originally published in 2004 (also consider the publication dates of the other material you have read). While the basic concepts regarding the recruitment of police officers may remain applicable, consider what may have changed. What developments have occurred since then that might change a recruitment strategy for police officers? Are there any traits not discussed in the article that you believe have become desirable for new recruits?
? Discuss the role of the police captain in the area of motivation and morale. In what ways can the captain or other leaders retain good officers?
Note: The articles listed as suggested reading for Weeks 2 and 3, as well as outside sources, would be helpful on this assignment.
Cite any sources using APA format on a separate page.
Consent Decree
Corruption and misbehavior on the job are serious problems that all police agencies must contend with. Because law enforcement officers are usually unsupervised when interacting with the public and have the power to use physical force, it is critical that they perform their duties ethically.
In December of 2015, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would be reviewing the Chicago Police Department. One year prior to this announcement, the city of Chicago had commissioned a study of its police disciplinary procedures, in an effort to improve officers' conduct. View the report with the findings of this study.
You have been asked to prepare a 4 to 5 page report in a Microsoft Word document for the DOJ's review team addressing the following points:
? Summarize the recommendations that were presented in the December 2014 study and describe how those recommendations could improve the performance of the Chicago Police Department. Pay particular attention to the section regarding Field Training Officers (FTOs).
? Based on your research about the issues that have prompted the DOJ to intervene, present your own recommendations for improving Chicago police.
? Describe a "consent decree" and explain what will occur if the DOJ obtains a consent decree regarding the Chicago Police Department.
Support your responses with examples. Cite any sources using the APA format on a separate page
Correctional Management
You have been hired by a private corrections company. The company has operated several jails but now is planning to build its first medium-security prison. Some of the company's leaders are unclear on what their new endeavor will require, so you have been given the task of preparing a 4 to 5 page report in a Microsoft Word document addressing the following:
? Describe the key differences between operating a jail and operating a prison. Focus on the personnel requirements, training, daily tasks of the officers, etc. Apply the management concepts from this course to this section of the report.
? Identify the other organizations, both inside and outside the criminal justice system, that the facility will need to interact with (and how) in order to perform its key functions.
? Discuss the key functions that will need to be performed in the prison. For example, the facility will need to provide medical care and meals for the inmates.
? Explain the unique supervisory challenges that will exist in a prison. What types of employee misbehavior are possible, and how can management guard against them?
Support your responses with examples.
Cite any sources using the APA format on a separate page.