NCJ Number
36519
Date Published
1976
Length
33 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THIS PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE TRUE ROLE OF THE POLICE OFFICER IN THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
ANOTHER MAJOR AIM OF THIS PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1975, WAS TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN POLICE OR OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS. DESIGNED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 125 STUDENTS IN EACH SCHOOL, THIS PROGRAM BEGINS IN THE TENTH GRADE AND CONTINUES TO THE TWELFTH. IN THE SENIOR YEAR, STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CO-OP PROGRAM AND TO WORK AT VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE JOB SITE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THE EVALUATION OF THIS PROGRAM INVOLVED ASSESSMENT OF THE DEGREE OF ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAM GOALS. BASED ON THE RESULTS OF STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND PRE AND POST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS TESTS, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROGRAM HAS HAD A DEFINITE IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION. NOTED WAS THE SUCCESSFUL RECRUITMENT OF BLACK AND LATINO STUDENTS INTO THE PROGRAM, MEDICAL SCREENING OF STUDENTS TO ASSIST THEM IN CORRECTING DEFICIENCIES THAT WOULD HINDER LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREERS, AND AN ALMOST 100 PERCENT INCREASE IN TESTED KNOWLEDGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS REPORT ALSO INCLUDES A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE CURRICULUM GUIDE USED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS PROGRAM.