The (Unnecessary) Dichotomy Between Law Enforcement and Civilians

The (Unnecessary) Dichotomy Between Law Enforcement and Civilians

If given the opportunity, my ten-episode series would be comprised of a split theme. Five of the episodes would focus on giving students an in-depth look at the thought processes of various organizations and individuals involved in law enforcement. The other five episodes would provide a detailed view of the experiences of civilians in regard to each theme. These themes would be based on the five ethical problems mentioned in the Ethics in Criminal Justice course description: discrimination, corruption, deception, racial profiling, and use of excessive force. My intention is to spend two weeks exploring each of these issues, alternating between the civilian viewpoint and the perspective of members of law enforcement. As the course concludes, students should be able to analyze the ethical conundrums that are involved in current law enforcement-community relations. The basis of my series is to create a viewing experience that stimulates invigorating discussion about potential solutions to these major ethical issues. Each episode would be construed using published data, documentation from human rights advocacy groups and administration, and interviews from people who have had personal experiences with these issues. In our modern age, there is a growing rift between authority figures and the populace. The dichotomy between law enforcement and civilians is not only unnecessary but detrimental to our society. I know that once the students have a better visual representation of these issues, they will be better equipped to move forward in their criminal justice careers.