Assignment:
D.C. mayor warns of big costs if city must release police body-camera video
1. Do you believe all police officers should have body worn cameras?
2. One of the concerns regarding the use of body worn cameras is the issue of public information regarding video from police cameras. Do you believe video from police cameras should be available for public inspection in every situation? Even if it cost taxpayers millions of dollars?
3. Does the release of all body worn video violate the privacy of citizens who appear on the video, whether or not they are arrested?
4. Would you want any member of the public or media to be able to access police video with you in it?
5. Would you be okay with the public and the media having access to all government owned surveillance video in the city, including street cameras and red light cameras?
Part 1
Include at least one link to an internet site you researched to form your discussion of each of these questions.
1. Should male and female officers have the same duties in a police department? Explain your reasoning.
2. How can education enhance the effectiveness of police officers?
3. Do you think that an officer working the street will eventually produce a cynical personality and distrust for civilians? Explain.
4. A police officer orders an unarmed person from running away from a burglary stop; the suspect keeps running and is shot and killed by the officer. Has the officer committed murder? Explain.
Part 2
1. Specialized courts (such as drug courts) are popping up all over the country. What is your assessment of this trend? Why do you feel this way?
2. Should attorneys disclose information given to them by their clients about participation in earlier unsolved crimes?
3. Should defense attorneys cooperate with a prosecutor if it means their clients will go to jail?
4. Should a prosecutor have absolute discretion over which cases to proceed on and which to drop?