CJE Questions
List two reasons why policy formation should not be left up to officers in the field - Answer-1) It is
unlikely that officers will all come to the same conclusion, and therefore make the same decision, in
regards to policy formation on the field- without a baseline, there will be no uniformity amongst the
department.
2) There are no safeguards in place to ensure that the officers discretion will not turn into
discrimination.
What does the word "policy" mean? - Answer-An explicit agenda for selective enforcement- rules for
officers to follow
Give three reasons why agencies should devote time and energy to establishing policy guidelines -
Answer-1) Policy directives may cover up operational areas that fall outside the criminal law and court
review.
2)They may also allow officers to work off-duty in a private security function.
3) Departments may have procedures in place to deal with natural disasters, evacuations, or accidents
involving hazardous waste materials. Having guidelines in place makes for smoother management when
officers confront issues regarding each of these situations as they unfold in the field.
What is meant by deliberate indifference? - Answer-Deliberate indifference is the conscious disregard of
the consequences of one's acts. In relation to law enforcement, it is the failure to take responsibility for
an officer's actions when their lack of training and the lack of policy guidelines fails to uphold the system
, What could be the outcome if an agency does not have written policy guidelines? - Answer-If an agency
does not have written policy guidelines and an incident were to occur, they would be liable (Civil
Liability) The Supreme Court ruled that the lack of written policy does not insulate an agency from
subsequent liability
What is a Mission Statement? - Answer-A Mission Statement articulates overall agency policy guidelines.
This statement outlines what the agencies top priorities are.
What basic considerations should go into policy development? - Answer-Policy development should: be
workable in real-world situations; be adaptable to training; be written in a positive manner; refer to or
incorporate relevant laws; be pre-tested to assure that all officers understand the specific intent and
consequences of noncompliance.
Why is it important to have policy guidelines that address the area of secondary or off-duty
employment? - Answer-Whatever job the officer chooses to do when they are off-duty reflects on the
department and the officer. Thus, this causes the department to worry whether their officers are
prepared for duty- if an officer is exhausted, preoccupied, and not as productive, they are not dedicating
their full-selves to the department, which calls for policy guidelines that address the area of secondary
employment.
List what you consider to be the most important ingredients of a policy governing secondary or off-duty
employment. - Answer-Employee eligibility for secondary employment; responsibilities; time and
compensation; secondary employment permit form, prohibited employment.
What is the purpose of an Internal Affairs unit? - Answer-This unit is considered to be the "police" for
the police- they serve as a watch-dog organization who monitors employee conduct and any policy or
statutory violations that take place while either on or off-duty.
What type of activities does Internal Affairs monitor? - Answer-Activities such as employee conduct for
any policy or statutory violations, citizen complaints, supervisory reports of improper behavior, use-of-
force reports, misuse of official equipment, and weapon discharges typically get routed to this office for
review and resolution.
List two reasons why policy formation should not be left up to officers in the field - Answer-1) It is
unlikely that officers will all come to the same conclusion, and therefore make the same decision, in
regards to policy formation on the field- without a baseline, there will be no uniformity amongst the
department.
2) There are no safeguards in place to ensure that the officers discretion will not turn into
discrimination.
What does the word "policy" mean? - Answer-An explicit agenda for selective enforcement- rules for
officers to follow
Give three reasons why agencies should devote time and energy to establishing policy guidelines -
Answer-1) Policy directives may cover up operational areas that fall outside the criminal law and court
review.
2)They may also allow officers to work off-duty in a private security function.
3) Departments may have procedures in place to deal with natural disasters, evacuations, or accidents
involving hazardous waste materials. Having guidelines in place makes for smoother management when
officers confront issues regarding each of these situations as they unfold in the field.
What is meant by deliberate indifference? - Answer-Deliberate indifference is the conscious disregard of
the consequences of one's acts. In relation to law enforcement, it is the failure to take responsibility for
an officer's actions when their lack of training and the lack of policy guidelines fails to uphold the system
, What could be the outcome if an agency does not have written policy guidelines? - Answer-If an agency
does not have written policy guidelines and an incident were to occur, they would be liable (Civil
Liability) The Supreme Court ruled that the lack of written policy does not insulate an agency from
subsequent liability
What is a Mission Statement? - Answer-A Mission Statement articulates overall agency policy guidelines.
This statement outlines what the agencies top priorities are.
What basic considerations should go into policy development? - Answer-Policy development should: be
workable in real-world situations; be adaptable to training; be written in a positive manner; refer to or
incorporate relevant laws; be pre-tested to assure that all officers understand the specific intent and
consequences of noncompliance.
Why is it important to have policy guidelines that address the area of secondary or off-duty
employment? - Answer-Whatever job the officer chooses to do when they are off-duty reflects on the
department and the officer. Thus, this causes the department to worry whether their officers are
prepared for duty- if an officer is exhausted, preoccupied, and not as productive, they are not dedicating
their full-selves to the department, which calls for policy guidelines that address the area of secondary
employment.
List what you consider to be the most important ingredients of a policy governing secondary or off-duty
employment. - Answer-Employee eligibility for secondary employment; responsibilities; time and
compensation; secondary employment permit form, prohibited employment.
What is the purpose of an Internal Affairs unit? - Answer-This unit is considered to be the "police" for
the police- they serve as a watch-dog organization who monitors employee conduct and any policy or
statutory violations that take place while either on or off-duty.
What type of activities does Internal Affairs monitor? - Answer-Activities such as employee conduct for
any policy or statutory violations, citizen complaints, supervisory reports of improper behavior, use-of-
force reports, misuse of official equipment, and weapon discharges typically get routed to this office for
review and resolution.
