ADMJUS-130 - Report Writing for Law Enforcement - Brian Hospodar
| Course: | Report Writing for Law Enforcement |
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| Professor: | Brian Hospodar |
| Email: | Brian.Hospodar@canyons.edu |
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Introduction
Welcome everyone...
You're in the right place. Here, we will unpack the essence of what it means to work inside the criminal justice system. This is a place to develop pride in serving society. To honor our Constitution. We do this by developing the skills required of a professional. Some of those skills center around conducting or overseeing thorough investigations leading to arrests and convictions of those who choose to be predators. Those who consciously destabilize the peace and balance of community and our society. You may be here to discover whether you should pursue a career in this profession. This course will help you decide and will also allow you to experience the satisfaction of knowing that this work serves a greater good. While addressing students, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Philosopher, Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, "But I know one thing: the only ones of you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." People who choose criminal justice as a profession, and then serve, are happy people. Coming into the knowledge that what you do does profoundly serve humanity... is perhaps the greatest reward. I look forward to the journey with you.
Introduction
A member of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) since 1980. A third-generation cop, I have extensive investigative, supervisory and operational experience, and have conducted complex investigations into criminal activity while assigned to Major Crimes, Vice, and Narcotics Divisions. I've been a Patrol Supervisor, Venice Beach Detail Supervisor, VICE Supervisor, and Detective in Narcotics, Counter-Terrorism, and Transnational Organized Crime.
I have developed relationships and worked closely with a number of federal and municipal law enforcement agencies having held a U.S. Government clearance. I was also selected by the State Department to work for the United Nations investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I lived for one-year in the war-torn former Yugoslavia preparing criminal cases for the World Court at the Hague. This experience allowed me a unique international law enforcement perspective. I co-started the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA), Sensitive Investigations Unit (SIU) as a Task Force Officer. Our mission at SIU was to investigate transnational organized crime syndicates trafficking drugs to support world-wide terrorism.
Much of my work has focused on transforming law enforcement from within the institution. I have developed several law enforcement courses addressing significant strategic needs and wrote the LAPD’s ‘Supervisory Guide to Discipline’ and ‘Search Warrant Manual’. I have taught Recruit, In-service, Supervisory, Civilian, Management, and Command College courses at the Los Angeles Police Academy. I am an Instructor for the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center teaching in-service courses to Police Officers. I hold a B.S. in Business Management. I am also a Certified Yoga instructor teaching cops to de-escalate from the inside-out.
Course Description
Presents the historical development and legal implications involved in the documentation of criminal incidents. Presents the philosophy of law with regard to recording evidence, and U.S. Constitutional provisions, including definitions, integration of crime elements using criminal codes and the California Jury Instructions, classification of crimes, concepts of legal research, and case law.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Interpret criminal acts and methods for recording and memorializing those acts
- Analyze criminal acts, their elements, parties to offenses, and application to the criminal justice system
- Analyze and practice the legal process of writing comprehensive professional police reports as well as how to gather and record written evidence for presentation into the criminal justice system
- Express an increased awareness of the legal principles of criminal law and application
What to Expect in this Course
CLASS FORMAT AND PARTICIPATION: Your participation in this class will be supported using COC’s learning management system called CANVAS (https://canvas.canyons.edu).
You will need a reliable computer and internet access to complete required assignments. It is expected that you login to the course regularly throughout the week to keep up with discussions and assignments. Successful students log into the course at least once every two days. In a 20-week, 3-unit course, it is expected that students dedicate approximately nine or more hours a week to the course.
Types of Assessments
GRADING: In assigning the final grade, I will look at your understanding of the material and overall performance as well as your contribution to the class. Assessment of your performance will be based on journals, quizzes, exams, current events, and participation in discussions. Your grade will be based on the total accumulation of course points listed above.
QUIZZES & EXAMS: Quizzes and exams will cover material from the syllabus, textbook & other materials in the weekly modules. These quizzes will be taken online via Canvas. Each quiz will be made available on the Monday the module begins and will remain available until 11:59 PM on the following Sunday. Once the deadline is reached the quiz will close and will not be available to you again. There will be no make-up quizzes or exams.
Textbook Information
TEXTBOOK:
A Street Officer’s Guide to Report Writing, 1st Ed.
Cengage Learning Publishing
SCALISE, Frank and STROSAHL, Douglas
ISBN: 978-1-111-54-250-4
Additional Recommended Texts: To Be Announced
Other Relevant Course Information
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.
If there are any questions regarding this Orientation Letter, please email me at Brian.Hospodar@canyons.edu. Remember, I am here to help you do your personal best! Enjoy your journey!
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: 08/09/2022 Sub#: 1441