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ADMJUS 130 - Report Writing for Law Enforcement - Larry Alvarez

Course:Report Writing for Law Enforcement
Professor:Larry Alvarez
Email:larry.alvarez@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
  • OnlineLive
  • InPerson
Course Length:
  • Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

Greetings everyone and welcome!  I am Larry Alvarez and it is my honor to be your instructor this semester for Administration of Justice 101, Introduction to Administration of Justice.  I have been teaching criminal justice classes here at COC since 2004.  I have a Juris Doctorate (law) degree, a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology/Criminology.  I am recently retired from the Los Angeles Police Department, as a detective supervisor, with 24 years of law enforcement experience.  I have held a variety of assignments to include custody, crime scene investigations, academy drill instructor, tactical response teams, patrol, field training officer, vice, gangs, divisional detectives, night detectives, counter terrorism, organized crime, intelligence investigations, surveillance, undercover operations, internal affairs, and the officer involved shooting team.  I also served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the Airborne Long Range Surveillance (LRS) Teams.  As many people took the time to help me along my career path, I hope to be able to do the same for you.  I look forward to helping you identify and achieve your goals and career aspirations through this introductory criminal justice course!

Course Description

Prepares students to complete police reports consistent with their department’s policies incorporating proper grammar, sentence and paragraph construction, and necessary elements of the incident(s) reported therein.

This course will use the Socratic method which is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue designed to stimulate critical thinking to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions.  We will use case studies, case briefs, critical incidents, practical applications, and of course reports to identify and analyze the relevant legal, social, and ethical issues presented in relation to the criminal justice system.  This interactive approach is designed to enhance your problem-solving skills and to acquire skills as they relate to conducting investigations relying on fact-based evidence, legal reasoning, and effective written and oral communication. 

What to Expect in this Course

Course Formats

 

This is class is taught in several different formats to include traditional in-person classes, Online classes, and Online Live (Zoom) classes.  This class is also taught as a full semester and short-term class.  Please check the course section for the course format you enrolled in.

 

Traditional In-Person Courses

 

These classes are taught in person.  We will meet in the designated classroom on the days and times published in the College catalog and schedule.

 

In-person courses will be supplemented through the use of Canvas.  Canvas is the College’s Learning Management System and distance education platform.  The use of Canvas will not substitute classroom attendance or work.  Attendance is mandatory for in-person classes and governed by the College’s attendance policy.

 

Important on the first day of class.  To avoid being dropped from the course as a “No Show,” you must be present in class for the first scheduled class meetingIf you are dropped from the course, you will need to re-register for the class and you risk being subject to wait listed practices.

 

Online Live (Zoom) Courses

 

Online Live courses are held during the scheduled days and times published.  Rather than meeting face-to-face and in person, we will meet in a digital classroom.  This course will meet in a Zoom conference room. You will be sent a Zoom link, inviting you to the digital classroom. 

 

The Zoom link will also be posted at the top of the Canvas shell for your convenience. 

 

This course is managed through Canvas, the College’s Learning Management System.  In order to take this course, you must have access to a computer, internet services, and a COC email account.   

 

Instruction for this course will be primarily synchronous in nature.  However, there may be some instances where we will occasionally meet asynchronously.  Examples of instances requiring asynchronous class meetings may include power and/or internet outages or class time dedicated for exams or movies where bandwith streaming may present additional obstacles.

 

Important on the first day of class.  To avoid being dropped from the course as a “No Show,” you must be present in class for the first scheduled class meeting.  If you are dropped from the course, you will need to re-register for the class and you risk being subject to wait listed practices.

Online Courses

 

These courses will be 100% Distance Education (DE) and will be conducted using asynchronous methods of instruction.  This course is managed through Canvas, the College’s Learning Management System.  In order to take this course, you must have access to a computer, internet services, and a COC email account.  All communications will be done through the Canvas modules, including announcements, emails, discussion boards.  If necessary, phone conferences will also be available as an additional form of communication.  This course requires a great deal of discipline, organization, reading, and participation several days a week to be successful.  You will also need to check your COC email account regularly for important class instruction and for updated links to the Zoom chat room.

 

Important on First Day of Class.  To avoid being dropped from the course as a “No Show,” you must login to the course website on Canvas and complete a discussion board activity by 11:59 p.m. on the first day of class.  If you do not complete this assignment by the deadline, you will be dropped from this course.  Again, the website becomes available for student access at 8:00 a.m. and the assignment will be due no later than 11:59 p.m.  It is not enough to login to the Canvas course, you must also complete the discussion board activity to be counted as “present” in the course.

 

Textbook Information

Required Text:  Street Officer’s Guide to Report Writing, 13th Ed.

By Scalise         

ISBN 9781111542504

Other Relevant Course Information

Distance Education classes are as rigorous as regular classes and the time commitment is the same.  Your online classes are designed to require 9 hours of work each week, which is consistent with traditional courses.  Participation will be required, sometimes even more so than traditional classes.  DE formatted classes require a lot of reading.  Canvas allows for class discussion, quizzes, and exams.  Discussion boards will require thoughtful input, reflections, postings, and responses to your fellow classmates.  Quizzes and exams are often rigidly timed and will not allow sufficient time to research your answers.  It is highly recommended that you properly prepare and study the materials before attempting quizzes and exams.  You will also need to pay close attention to due dates and details.  You must complete all assignments in each individual module by the due dates for each assignment.  Late work will not be accepted


Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 12/02/2021 Sub#: 1165