Due February 13 at 11:59 PM

The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week on the basis of the course competencies covered.

For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.

To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates initial postings. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Cite sources in your responses to other classmates. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

The dangers inherent in police work are brought to the publics mind when police are killed in the line of duty. This is especially true when it is apparent that the officers were deliberately ambushed. Clearly, the relationship between police and community differs widely from place to place.

• Discuss how perceptions of police can differ across different communities or cultures.
• Critics of police have questioned the militarization of local police in America. Explain what is meant by this term and analyze whether it is an accurate characterization.
• Earlier in the course, we examined positive theories, which suggest that criminal behavior is often influenced by factors outside the offenders control. Can positive theories apply also to police officers who use excessive force or otherwise abuse their power?
• Police agencies across the country are increasingly turning to the use of body cams. These are devices worn on the uniform of a patrol officer in order to record audio and video during encounters with residents. Proponents believe body cams will deter and detect instances of police misconduct. What are the drawbacks of body cameras? What position do police unions take on this issue?