Policing Seattle

POLICING SEATTLE                                          W. Edward Reed, PH.D

HUMT 400-02/CRJS 306-01                              Office Hours: Tu & Thurs 2:30-3:30P

Fall 2003                                                      & by appointment

Administration 202                                          E-mail: reede@seattleu.edu

                                                                   wed_reed@hotmail.com

Tuesday & Thursday                                         Office: (206) 296-5404

3:35 – 5:40 p.m.                                            Phone: (206) 320-7980

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to inform and acquaint students with ways (theoretical, analytical, & practical) to understand the role of police in our society and the City of Seattle, in particular.  The goal of the course is to create inspired and educated citizens/students that have a passion for justice, fair play, accountability and equity.  Furthermore, the overriding goal of this course is to move students beyond the cop and reality shows that have informed Americans about “Law & Order” for the last twenty years.  For example, see the following website for review at your leisure: www.media-awareness.ca.

How will we as a class achieve the noble mission of understanding the role and duties of such a complex profession?  I contend that through the readings, mini lectures, discussion and guest speakers, the path to knowledge of the “noble profession” will be clearer and understandable.  For students, we will work with you to facilitate ride-a-along visits to the police academy and police museum.  Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to meet and greet our police chief, detectives, higher echelon officials, middle managers, community policing officers and patrol officers.

 Texts & Order of Reading:

Police Unbound by Bouza. Focus on historical police roles, duties, and responsibilities in society, poverty, racism, social and equality, a few bad apples, race profiling, and police role in society since 9/11.  Read for overview and class discussion and preparation for reaction papers.

Profiles in Injustice by Harris.  Read to gain a-deeper understanding of race profiling, and for (3-5 page) reaction paper.

Policing the Poor by Websdale. Read to gain a through understanding of police, poverty and the war on drugs in Nashville, Tennessee. (3-5 page) reaction paper.

The Politics of Community Policing by Reed.  Read to gain an understanding of the author’s three (3) theoretical perspectives and insight into community policing in Seattle, Washington. Final Bluebook exam.

Structure of Course

The structure of the course is rather simple and straightforward.  The professor will offer ways of looking at the readings, the police profession, and our quest as a society for public safety and justice.  The format will offer a seminar approach and the professor will make ample use of the Socratic method which is utilized in our nations law schools.  What does that mean for us?  Each class will be presented with a focus and a theme from the readings.  You’re not required to speak or get involved in discussions, however, we highly suggests that the two hours we are together as a class will move much more efficiently if you get involved.  If you have problems or issues with this approach, please see the professor as soon as possible.

Testing and Grading

Please contact the professor weekly if you have any question(s) regarding readings, extra credit work, exams, and changes in the course outline or expectations we might have of you.   We are extremely fair and understanding of emergencies and family matters that occur during the quarter.  E-mail me of call me at home if you have problems, emergencies, issues or concerns regarding the structure of the course, assignments, books and, or guest speakers.   Messages can be left at my home phone or email: wed_reed@hotmail.com.

Make-up Procedure:

Missed in-class assignments cannot be made up, i.e., the in-class midterm.   The option is to write a 5-page in-depth book analysis, or reaction paper, based on one of the assigned books.  I am open to discussing all emergencies and will try to be fair to all students at all times.  A missed final cannot be made up and students will receive a lower grade.

Attendance:

Attendance is important.  Attendance and class participation will be the deciding factor for borderline grades.  Since the test will be based on (4) books and class mini lectures, discussions, and guest speakers.  Good Attendance is a must.  You cannot learn if you are not in class.  Also, please do not make outlandish requests, such as, “I have to leave early;” “Can you cue me some slack?”  You are cheating yourself and your classmates by your absence.  Having your classmate cover for you is not a sound way of educating yourself and learning about police in Society and Seattle, Washington.

Writing Assignments:

Assignment #1: Police Unbound- 3^rd week of course. 

Students are required to write a (3-5 page) reaction paper to the author’s thesis, world view, data, & conclusion.

Assignment #2: Profiles- 6^th week of course. 

Students are required to write a (3-5 page) reaction paper to the author’s thesis, world view, data, & conclusion.

Assignment #3: Policing the Poor- 9^th week of course.

Students are required to write a (3-5 page) reaction paper to the author’s thesis, world view, data, & conclusion.

Final Bluebook Exam: 12/10/03 @ 4:00-5:50pm

The highest total course points will be 400 points which is an A grade.  If you have any problems understanding the grading procedures of the professor’s expectations see him immediately.

My grading procedures are simple.  Since each exam is worth up to 100 points I will average your numerical score. I will also assign numerical score for your research paper, “C”=75, “C+”=78, etc.  You numerical scores will then be averaged to determine your course grade.  Thus in your overall average is 76 you course grade will be the numerical equivalent of a “C” in the UW grading system.  I do not issue “incompletes” to students who by the end of the quarter have not taken an exam, handing in an assigned paper or otherwise met the course requirements.  If you have not completed all of the course requirements by the end of the exam week, and you have not, by that point, explained why, your grade will be lowered accordingly.

Schedule:

Themes & Question(s) That Will Guide Policing Seattle:

-Police Chief Perspectives (Seattle Police Department Chief & Bouza)

            Q: Bouza talks about our society’s ruling elite and middle class.  Is he convincing or accurate based on your values?

            Q: What was the central message offered by SPD Chief?

-Profiles in Injustice (USA) Race Profiling by David Harris.

            Q: What is the central message offered by Harris?

            Q: Does racial profiling work for citizens and police?

-Police the Poor (Nashville) By Neil Websdale.

            Q: Why is Websdale so cynical of community policing?

            Q: Is his analysis/understanding of societal response to African American street crime           accurate?

-Politics of Community Policing by Wilson Edward Reed.

            Q: What are the three theories that inform readers about community policing?

The author, Wilson Edward Reed, Ph.D.

Book examines Community Policing in Seattle 1985-1993

This book offers three (3) theoretical explanations of why the Seattle Police Dept. implemented a form/variant of policing.  Internal and external pressures to do “something about street crime” are examined.  Full adoption of community policing involves substantial organizational changes including the leveling of the bureaucratic hierarchy.

Reed shows how some police departments are resistant to such changes and fight any form of bureaucratic leveling.  True community policing is a partnership between police and citizens.  Many police departments claim to be doing community policing.  However, community policing efforts observed by Reed demonstrates piecemeal projects, symbolic programs, and political posturing.

Most police chiefs want to be perceived of as “doing something” about street crime. This book looks closely at police citizen partnerships during the period outlined above and the level of success attained in two (2) precincts in Seattle, Washington.