Opening The Juvenile Recidivism Umbrella Sold By Residential Treatment, Jack Lutz

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Juveniles, especially in a residential treatment facility fall into the classification of vulnerable population. Researchers, review boards, and the facility administrator carry the burden of ensuring ethics are to the highest standard when this population is involved, so stakeholders can make accurate decisions. Cognitive-based models, which is an evidence-based practice, have been around since the 1990’s. This form of practice has gone through a process of implementation into juvenile residential facilities and has helped reduce the recidivism rate for this population. Budget proposals follow a series of steps, checks, and revisions before taking effect. Probation and Parole is an agency …

Juvenile Hate Crimes And Identity-Based Bullying: A Comprehensive Analysis, Peter Efon Elad

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Abstract

This paper examines juvenile hate crimes and identity-based bullying within the criminal justice system (CJS), proposing leadership strategies and an administrative action plan to address these issues. The analysis includes the impact on peers, community, and justice entities, focusing on accountability, diversity, and inclusivity to foster a positive organizational culture and ensure effective implementation. This paper examines the ethical considerations necessary to address juvenile hate crimes and identity-based bullying within the juvenile justice system and related workplaces. It explores the impact of these crimes on victims and communities, the balance between accountability and rehabilitation for offenders, and the role …

Considerations For The Implementation Of A Specialized Mental Health Probation Caseload, Ross Becker

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The field of community corrections has undergone a transformation. While holding probationers accountable is still the expectation, agencies have begun to embrace evidence-based interventions to guide client change instead of a more punitive approach. The creation of specialized mental health probation caseloads is a natural evolution of supervision. The purpose of a specialized mental health caseload is to create a pathway for the ethical supervision of clients experiencing serious and persistent mental illness. Administrators who are committed to compassionate service will be most impactful when they consider the many potential ethical implications for both the client and the probation practitioner …

Implementing Body Worn Cameras, Eric Fairchild

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Body worn cameras are small video and audio recording devices that document interactions between law enforcement officers and the community. These devices are used to help with documenting evidence, transparency, and training for law enforcement. Prior to implementing body worn cameras, law enforcement agency need to research body worn cameras, protocols, integration, and challenges that could be faced for the organization and their staff. Protocols need to set in place by administration like retrieval process, storage of data, reviewing of videos, and policy development to assist with the seamless integration of body worn cameras. Ethical considerations must be reviewed to …

Reimagining The Criminal Justice Response To Sexual Assault, Jacob Swanson

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

After a crime is reported, several different stakeholders work to take the case from a police report to a conviction. In sexual assault cases, these stakeholders may consist of police officers, medical professionals, advocates, forensic scientists, prosecutors, and others. Yet, this process cannot begin until a victim reports their crime to law enforcement. Sexual assault cases are widely underreported and for a variety of reasons. Data from the 2015-2019 National Crime Victimization Survey suggests that only about one-third of sexual assaults are reported to police, while only about 3% lead to a felony conviction (RAINN, n.d.).

The criminal justice community …

Crisis Intervention Policing: Navigating The Past And Adapting To The Future, Tou Vang

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Law enforcement personnel often find themselves responding to crisis calls involving mental health disorders or behaviors; however, standard police training sometimes lacks proper protocol or resources to manage such scenarios without resorting to the use of force. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is one potential resource that offers law enforcement personnel the tools to handle mental health crises effectively, but implementing it requires a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy to build community trust and improve responses. This paper emphasizes law enforcement's need to adopt creative, compassionate, and ethical approaches in mental health crises due to past tensions and …

Bars Are Not Fluid: Gender Identity And Women's Rights In Correctional Facilities, Camilla Juliana Gonzalez

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The evolving demographic landscape of the American criminal justice system, with increasing numbers of transgender individuals incarcerated, challenges traditional binary classifications and necessitates revisions in correctional evaluation methods. Balancing the specific needs of transgender inmates with the protection of women's rights and their safety is critical. This research evaluates ethical frameworks within correctional institutions, proposing a compassionate approach to prevent policy manipulation.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted action plan, including establishing a task force, gender assessment protocols, comprehensive policies, and educational initiatives, all supported by ethical accountability. Three key policies—gender affirmation, zero-tolerance, and religious rights—are examined for their potential …

Transforming Law Enforcement To Attract Candidates From The Millennial Generation, Jason Muelken

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

There is a widespread shortage of law enforcement candidates throughout the nation, resulting in agencies needing to increase their efforts to maintain staffing. The largest group in the workforce, the millennial generation, holds unique set of traits that make recruiting, retention, and leadership challenging for law enforcement administration. With the decrease in law enforcement applicant pools, recruitment and retention success is paramount to maintaining a successful organization in the future. An action plan is needed to practically, and ethically apply the change of approach to a workplace. This paper discusses how these changes may impact peers, the community, and additional …

Improving Police Officer Recruiting, Retention, And Job Satisfaction, Mitch Christensen

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This Capstone paper covered the topics of police officer recruiting, retention, and job satisfaction. It detailed current issues surrounding these topics, and promoted actionable and evidence-based changes to improve those issues. Topics were analyzed through administrative, ethical, and legal and legislative lens views. These proposed measures served as confirmation that current concerning trends can be mitigated, if not reversed, with thoughtful and thorough actions by police administrators and frontline employees alike.

How Human Performance Factors Can Be Better Understood And Influenced To Affect Use Of Force Encounters, Jared Kaspar

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Police officers in the United States of America are afforded a tremendous amount of power over its citizens. With this power comes great responsibility and over the last several years, police use of force in the course of their duties has come under increased scrutiny. Police officers are humans who are bound by the same performance factors of the average citizen: fear, fatigue, anger, physical and mental fitness are among a whole list of influences that affect use of force encounters. Since officers are human, they are not perfect and mistakes can, and do, occur. Tragically, when police officers make …

Recruitment And Retention Of Millennials And Generation Z In The Criminal Justice Field: How Do We Replenish The Ranks?, Chris Vierling

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The Criminal Justice field is, and has been, experiencing a drastic decrease in the number of individuals willing to take on this unique calling. This decline can be attributed to several factors, primarily concerns about safety, the current political and social environment, work schedules, and personal life influences. The purpose of this paper and research is to examine the causes of the ongoing hiring crisis in the field of Criminal Justice and propose potential solutions. Through research, several contributing factors have been identified that can help agencies at various levels recruit and retain Criminal Justice candidates. This is an ongoing …

Gender-Responsive Supervision Six Guiding Principles, Barriers, And Benefits Of Implementation, Tessa Matousek

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Over the years, the goals of probation have remained the same: to increase community safety and reduce recidivism; however, as the world changes, the needs of offenders have changed. Evidence-based practices are used in probation to determine risk levels and create targeted case plans. The criminal justice system has seen an increase in female offenders, which has brought up valid questions of evaluation tools and supervision practices. The quest to provide the most effective services to all offenders brings innovation, research, and change. Gender-responsive supervision is the answer to how to best serve female offenders. Change is a natural evolution, …

Understanding And Minimizing School Shootings, Taylor Hammond

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The unfortunate trend of school shootings is on the rise within the United States. The purpose of this paper is to describe a leadership communication plan for a school shooting situation, along with identifying the three phases of a crisis: pre-crisis, crisis response, and post-crisis. It also describes the role a probation officer plays within this topic and the importance of this person in a juvenile’s life. An unforeseen issue with school shootings is how it relates to social media. Social media can be used to bully, harass, and contact others unsolicited. It can also be used for a student …

Dna Analysis: The Answer For Unsolved Cases?, Sarah Hetchler

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

DNA analysis has become a crucial part of solving cases. It has developed significantly since its creation in the mid-1980s. The longing for answers within unsolved cases is historically lengthy, leaving traces of distrust and injustice. Criminologists offer a potential solution to the mess created by connecting DNA analysis to protect victims and communities. DNA evidence and analysis can assist in solving cases and provide answers for exonerees. Like public genealogy websites, law enforcement agencies must acknowledge new methods to solve issues. Not only could law enforcement agencies solve and arrest suspects through DNA analysis, but DNA could also provide …

Restrictive Pursuit Policies And Rising Violent Crime, Ryan Kelly

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Consequences can be a driving factor for why citizens follow laws in the United States. Financial and physical freedom is valued. Citizen’s behavior may change if police officers threaten to take these things away for breaking laws. Policymakers today are working to restrict when law enforcement officers can chase criminals for breaking the law. Suppose the ability of law enforcement to hold criminals accountable is restricted. Would this not lead a reasonable person to believe that criminals may think they are free to commit crimes? This paper will cover current trends in violent crime in both the United States and …

Incorporating A Peer Support Program In A Criminal Justice Department, Joshua Gerving, Joshua J. Gerving

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This research aims to provide police agencies with a step-by-step guide for developing a Peer Support Program. It will address how to design the program, overcome complex changes in an agency, create a crisis communication strategy, and budget for the new specialty department. This research will address ethical and moral dilemmas a peer support member may face as they perform their duties. Furthermore, the author will present a code of conduct that will serve as the foundation of the program. The researcher will also explain how training, ethical accountability, and stewardship are crucial in making an ethical program for first …

Where Do We Go From Here? Reconsidering Crowd Management And Control In The Wake Of The George Floyd Era Of Protests., Nicholas Steiger

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This research evaluated police response to protests and considered crowd management and control in the wake of the George Floyd era of protests. The research reviewed the history of crowd management and control and evaluated new methods to increase police legitimacy. It proposed the adoption of the Elaborated Social Identity Model of crowd control and provided agencies with additional recommendations that may increase ethical decision-making. It proposed that forming multi-jurisdictional mobile field force teams for crowd management and control will increase the professionalism of the police and help ensure the rights and safety of those participating in First Amendment activities. …

Title: The Truth Behind A Guardian Ad Litem, Klarissa Stovall

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The role of a guardian ad litem is at the forefront when acknowledging the significance of the role in its entirety when considering the safety and wellbeing of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect. Also focusing on the supportive topics including adequate training, effective communication, and safety is equally important when discussing the role of a guardian ad litem. Furthermore, being able to acknowledge the role of a guardian ad litem is extremely helpful when remembering how vital they are to the future of a child, specifically when involved in child protective services or family law. …

Understanding Wellness In Law Enforcement: A Crisis, Phil Baebenroth

Doctorate in Education

This study investigates the perceptions of current licensed peace officers in Minnesota regarding reforming their profession. From 2017 to 2020, more police officers in the United States died by suicide than officers killed by gunfire, assaults, crashes, or accidents in the line of duty (Officer Down Memorial Page, 2023 & Blue H.E.L.P, 2023). These statistics present a wellness crisis in the policing profession that deserves immediate attention. There have been worldwide calls for changes in policing from people outside of law enforcement, but few incorporate the practical insights of police officers and even fewer are concerned with officer wellness aspects. …

Crime Leads To Time And Time Back To Crime: The Effect Of Employment On Recidivism, Connor Weiss

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This paper opens with a general history of prison systems and the recurring issue of overpopulation in prisons, which leads to the main topic of recidivism rates amongst former offender populations who find themselves with work opportunities. A summary of this issue as a whole is brought up with possible solutions to address the issues, as well as the problems that can and would arise with the proposed implementation of a streamlined prison-based career exploration and job training program. Continuing through the paper, the focus shifts to the ethics of the topic. Ethics play a significant role when looking at …

Law Enforcement's Assistance To The Mental Health Community, Megan Thompson

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Mental health calls are an overwhelmingly consistent part of the law enforcement profession. With the lack of resources for the mental health community, law enforcement officers are becoming the contingency strategy. Relationships between the law enforcement and mental health communities are becoming imperative for every community. While developing these relationships, law enforcement officers can begin to develop response teams to handle mental health calls for service. Bringing on board clinical and non-clinical professionals from the mental health community can provide different intervention and therapy programs. Basic ethical principles, accepted in culture, include but are not limited to respect, honesty, and …

Paramilitary Model And Civilian Employee’S Impression Of Law Enforcement, Deanna Vue

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Law enforcement agencies have long been facing a leadership crisis. Much of law enforcement organizational structure and leadership have been focused solely on police officers. Law enforcement leaders forget these traditional models and rigid structure also affect civilian personnel. The chain of command serves to streamline communication, not to facilitate unchecked behavior. However, many law enforcement leaders continue to rely on the chain of command for everything from mentoring, to coaching, to evaluation. Civilians may feel they are treated unequally and suffer from an unbalanced psychological injury. Some may consider it blasphemous to change the traditional organizational structure of law …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Early Retirements In Law Enforcement, Alecia Ainslie

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The American Psychiatric Association defines post-traumatic stress disorder as a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury (Torres, 2020). Why are law enforcement officers retiring at an alarming rate due to post-traumatic stress disorder? “Law enforcement professionals anticipate and accept the unique dangers and pressures of their chosen profession. However, people under stress find it harder than people not experiencing stress to connect with others and …

Culture Of Wellness Toward Resiliency, Shelby Stemig

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Stress and burnout are increasingly prevalent amongst law enforcement officers and civilian staff due to job demands and job-related traumas. A culture of wellness planning is how administrations can build resiliency against stress and burnout. A wellness plan should emphasize organizational responsibility, officer responsibility, formal and informal leadership, and external collaborations. Agencies can also utilize the same cognitive behavioral therapies that supervised release agents find beneficial for clients. There are great similarities between the utilization of cognitive behavioral interventions, evidence-based models, and thought behavioral links between supervised release clients and law enforcement staff members. Often, cognitive behavioral therapies are used …

Law Enforcement’S Use Of Social Media: It Is More Then Just A Post, Brad Litke

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Social media has become a preferred way to communicate for many and can be a look into the user’s personal life. However, law enforcement also knows this. Law enforcement’s use of social media for investigations has been proven to be effective in monitoring gatherings and helping to solve crimes. While legal, law enforcement also has an ethical responsibility to the community and have strong policies in place to prevent misuse of this tool. This is not the only use of social media by law enforcement. Social media is also used to interact with the community. Reviewing the good and bad …

Formation Of A Mental Health Co-Responder Unit, Tom Smith

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The current models of treating mentally ill people with police contact are not working and have never worked. Mentally ill people, or those in crisis, often slip through gaps in the criminal justice and hospital systems. It is time for criminal justice and medical treatment systems to work together to help those with mental illnesses. Properly implemented programs and policies will allow officers to respond better to people experiencing a crisis. These programs, and ethically implemented policies, will enable officers to better serve people by getting them the necessary services while limiting the potential for using force, jail, and hospitalization. …

Considerations For Marijuana Legalization, Joe Ainslie

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Marijuana legalization began approximately 29 years ago but legalization has only gained momentum in recent years. Most states in the US have enacted laws allowing for medical marijuana or recreational marijuana use. These laws have all been enacted with the past 20 years and highlighted the complicated issue of legalization of once heavily controlled substances. Minnesota is now beginning the process of legalizing recreational use of marijuana and introduced legislation. Legalization has brought with it public health and safety concerns as well as ethical dilemmas. The specific concerns about an increase in driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), crashes, heightened criminality, and …

Persons In Crisis: Law Enforcement's Response To Mental Health Calls, Sean Farnham

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This research paper provided insight and the history surrounding the mental health epidemic in the United States, the burden that is placed upon the law enforcement profession and offered strategies to address to the problem. The paper offered suggestions on how the various strategies can be implemented within a law enforcement organization, considering funding, personnel, and policy and procedure. The paper offered research surrounding several response methods for law enforcement to utilize when responding to calls involving mental health factors, the ethics concerns surrounding the response methods, and offered suggestions on how organizations can begin to implement new response methods …

Women Incarceration And Attitudes Towards Restraints Used During A Child’S Birth, Wade Chit

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The complexities of women's incarceration are misunderstood and often not spoken of, and as a criminal justice worker myself, it is very interesting to me to learn more about crimes, especially finding out more about crimes among female offenders’ because most of the time, we hear about crimes and the majority of the offenders are males. Therefore, I believe that it is important to find out more about crimes on the women's side and see what it is like and how they differ from the men. Unlike male offenders, female offenders have a different background in committing crimes. For instance, …

Native Americans And The Criminal Justice System, Kenneth Foster

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

How does Native American culture affect policing and victim services? There are many contributors, including awareness and past traumas such as historical oppression and forced removal from homelands. Even though the people responsible for those actions are not around today, mistrust is still prevalent in the community. Ethical considerations must be incorporated into practice to bridge the gap with the shortcomings in the Native American community, such as trust, policing, and victim services. This is done by implementing utilitarianism, deontology, and administrative oversight. The inception of the Tribal Police is unique, as it started in 1800 and grew into modern-day …