CJS 225 - Criminal Justice Ethics

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Provides a historical analysis of the moral and ethical issues encountered in policing, corrections, probation, parole, prosecution and criminal defense. Examines the consequences of ethical transgressions in the various areas of criminal justice practice. Topics include history of the criminal justice system, regulation of criminal justice professionals, professional discipline, police brutality, police misconduct, police-community relations, correctional misconduct and violations of policy and law. Explores the process for investigation of acts of misconduct and unethical behavior in the criminal justice field.

Crosslisted: Also offered as CJS 225H ; credit not given for both CJS 225 and CJS 225H .

Location(s) Typically Offered: Arnold Main Campus (MC) and Online (OL)

Term(s) Typically Offered: All terms

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define ethics, morals, norms, and values.

2. Define and describe ethical relativity and ethical absolutism.

3. Describe, explain and analyze the history of the criminal justice system.

4. Describe and analyze the structure and dynamics of criminal justice agencies.

5. Define oaths, rules, regulations, codes and laws.

6. Define due process of law.

7. Describe, explain and analyze the law enforcement code of ethics.

8. Describe, explain and analyze the American Correctional Association Code of Ethics.

9. Describe, explain and analyze the Federal Probation Officer’s Association Code of Ethics.

10. Describe, explain and analyze police corruption.

11. Describe and explain use of force.

12. Describe, explain and analyze police brutality.

13. Describe, explain and analyze the concept of whistleblowing in criminal justice.

14. Describe, explain and analyze civilian review boards.