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Chapter Eleven–Peter Becomes a Cop

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My name is Peter Anderson and I spent the years of my youth listening to the exploits of my Grandpa Gordon. I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and become an airforce fighter pilot as he did so before me. Prior to my sister Yua being kidnapped in 2000, I was just counting the days till I could join the airforce. I even had aspirations of flying with the Thunderbirds like my Grandpa.

All my hopes and dreams were dashed when Yua was stolen from our family. As a matter of fact, the lives of everyone in our immediate family were adversely affected on that day. However, we all came together as a family unit like never before. No words of recrimination were ever spoken by anyone in the family. Instead, there was an outpouring of love and sympathy.

It happened when she was playing with her friends at her favorite park in Washington D.C. From that day forward, all I could think about was helping to find my beautiful baby sister. She was just four years old, and I was 12 years old when the kidnapping occurred. The kidnapping altered my live irrevocably. I will, in fact, become so tormented by the kidnapping that I will spend the next 22 years obsessing over it. I will remain focused on this obsession until it is brought to a satisfactory resolution. I will do so because my family needs closure. No, I need closure.

I would give anything to see my sister one more time. Deep in my heart of hearts, I know that this is not likely to happen, but I can’t give up hope. I wish time travel was possible because I would go back to that day, and no matter how sick I was, I would force myself to go with her to that park.

I am currently 16 years old, and I am getting very antsy. I can’t wait till I can apply to the police academy. I have it all worked out in my head. I will first join the D.C. Metro Police, so I can gain the skills I will need to begin the search for my sister. While I am paying my dues as a beat cop, I will work on getting my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

My goal is to become a detective in the Missing Person’s Department. With this new skill set, I will stand a better chance of discovering what happened to Yua.

I know that my obsession with Yua’s kidnapping is not healthy. I should be out doing stuff with my friends. Instead, I spend all my free time on my laptop computer going through human trafficking websites, studying police procedures, and learning police radio call signs. I figure the more I know the easier it will be to successfully complete the Police Academy program.

Throughout my high school years, I spend most of my time in academic pursuits unlike my father, who was a three-letter man. He competed in track n’ field, baseball, and football. He went to state in all three of them and could have gone professional in football if he hadn’t been seriously hurt in his senior year of high school.

While I have the “never give up” attitude of my Grandpa and my father, I am not a jock either. However, I am not a total nerd. I workout with light weights and I do calisthenics five days a week. I also go on three mile runs four days a week. I do this not because I love to exercise, but because there is a minimum physical fitness requirement for admission to the police academy.

My senior year finally came and went and I graduated with honors from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in 2006.

That fall, I applied and was accepted to the Metropolitan Police Department Academy. It is a 28-week program.

Recruits undergo classroom and scenario-based learning. The Recruit Officer Training Program curriculum is comprehensive and includes some of the following subject areas:

They also, as I have alluded to before, have a rigorous physical fitness program.

Maintaining physical fitness is an important part of being a police officer. Prior to beginning any physical training program, it is recommended to be cleared for physical activity by your physician. All recruits are strongly encouraged to begin working out and conditioning themselves physically prior to starting academy training. In fact, it is recommended that all applicants begin working out in preparation as soon as they start the application process.  

All applicants must also pass a physical agility test as part of the hiring process.  

The program while comprehensive went by fairly quickly. The mixture of coursework, physical conditioning, and skills such as self-defense, target practice, and learning techniques to safely subdue antagonists helped to make it both interesting and challenging. I felt like I learned so much in those 28 weeks. Sometimes, it felt a little overwhelming in its compass.

As an aid for anyone choosing to follow in my footsteps, I have included the requirements of the Washington D.C. Metro Police Department.

Washington DC Police Officer Requirements

The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has rigorous requirements for potential recruits. To be considered for a position with the MPD, candidates must:

While residency in DC is not required, residents do receive preference points in the hiring process. Preference is also given to military veterans.

Required Exams

The process of being hired as an MPD officer begins with completing a job interest card and attending orientation. During the orientation, known as the MPD Prospect Day, candidates will take the physical ability test and initial screenings, followed by the written test. Recruits who successfully pass these tests will then undergo a background investigation, a polygraph test, and medical and psychological examinations. Once approved and offered employment, a new recruit may then attend the academy for basic training. Once hired, MPDC cops are required to remain employed as sworn officers with the department for two years. Officers who leave before two years have elapsed may be required to reimburse the department for their training.

The Academy was well regarded by the Metro Police Department, and the vast majority of the cadets were immediately hired by the department. I managed through hard work and rigorous studying to graduate in the top five percent of my class. So I was quickly hired by the department.

My Field Training Officer, or FTO Sergeant Tomlinson was a twenty-year veteran. He was a friendly, no-nonsense individual. He was highly competent and what he didn’t know just didn’t matter. I was very fortunate in the selection of my FTO. Some of my fellow graduates didn’t fair as well.

While Sergeant Tomlinson was by the book, he was also quite patient and seemed to like working with new recruits. I think he would have made an excellent instructor at the academy. He never became impatient when I peppered him with questions. He said he became nervous when new recruits didn’t ask any questions. That either meant that they didn’t care about their job or that they thought they knew everything, neither of which was good in a new officer. He would also query me to see how well I understood the subject matter.

Another thing that impressed me with Sergeant Tomlinson was that he kept in shape. Even though he had been doing this for twenty years, he could still run down perps trying to escape.

Another thing that set him apart from other FTOs is that he also involved me from the very beginning with arrests and in questioning family members and witnesses as well as the perps. I felt that by the time I was finished with orientation, I would be very well-prepared to handle just about anything thrown at me.

One thing I liked about our precinct and that was you always had a partner. In some cities, police officers are by themselves. In today’s society, I think that is a big mistake. Even if you have a personal camera on you, it still doesn’t help you in making an arrest.

My plan was that as soon as I finished my orientation and got settled in, I would start working on my Criminal Justice degree. I was lucky in that my high school had a lot of college prep classes. So I was actually able to complete a few of the basic classes in my senior year. This saved me one whole semester of classes. Every little bit helps, especially with me working full time as well.

As a beat cop, we had quadrants that we patrolled. Our job consisted of driving around all day, or until we received a call from dispatch for either an emergency or a crime being perpetrated. We also on occasion responded to calls for backup.

I have to admit the work is very interesting and there is never a dull moment. What I find amazing is how truly dumb people can be. Whoever said that criminals are smart never worked as a beat cop. If you want to see what we go through, the closest thing to the real thing is the show Cops on the Fox channel. It first aired on March 11, 1989 and will eventually run to May 4, 2013. It lasted 15 seasons and ran for a total of 752 episodes.

Since I was basically at “Ground Zero” when it comes to crime, I have decided to explain what it is that I am dealing with. So I will spend a little time discussing the breakdown of crime in the United States. Theft is the most common type of property crime, while assault is the most common type of violent crime. I have always asserted that a picture is worth a thousand words, well in this case it will be a table.

One thing has become evident in my research, we have it seems been doing something right for a change, because crime in all categories has been on the decline over the last few years from 1999 to 2008. While I can’t take credit for any of this, I certainly want to be a part of it from hence forward. This is precisely one of the reasons I have become a cop. Of course, you know the primary reason, but if I never find closure at least I can make a difference in the meantime.

I hope these tables have helped to show how crimes are broken down in our country. If you have studied these tables at all, you will see that progress is being made. At least there seems to be some hope for us. In Chapter Thirteen, I will discuss my life as a detective in the Missing Person’s Department. In that chapter, I will discuss the current trends in sex trafficking as well. Unfortunately, we seem to be losing ground in this area. However, at this juncture in my career, I won’t be able to have much of an impact. I know with time I will be able to make a difference here as well, I just have to be patient. You must first learn to walk before you can run. It, after all, has taken eight years to get to where I am at now, so what are a few more years.

The more that I am exposed to crimes and criminals the more strange feelings I am getting. I just can’t put my finger on them or what they mean. Whatever they are, a force or something is drawing me towards something or someplace. It is the strangest thing. Well, enough of that for now.

Finally my eighteen months of probation are over, while I did not have the typical eight to nine FTOs that most new hires get exposed to I did, however, have three FTOs. I was quite fortunate in that they were all experienced and highly approachable. During my probationary period I learned a great deal. While I am by no means a grizzled veteran, I do have more confidence in my ability to perform my duties as an officer of the law.

One good thing about the Washington D.C. Metro Police department as I have previously stated every beat cop has a partner. Today is the day that I’ll find out who my partner is going to be. Even though I’m finished with my probation and official training there is still a lot to learn. So it’s important that I get a good partner for my first one because he will essentially be my mentor for the next several years. When I went to see Captain Terrence Smelter to find out what my fate was going to be, I saw Sergeant Frank Tomlison talking to the Captain in his office. I immediately crossed my fingers in hopes that he was going to be my partner.

I tentatively knocked on the captain’s door. The captain immediately replied, “Come in, Officer Anderson. I have been expecting you.” I entered the office and immediately saluted the captain. He saluted back and said, “This is not the military so any further saluting will be totally unnecessary. By the way, I’d like to introduce Sergeant Tomlison to you, however, I believe that you already know him. He will be your new partner. In case you are wondering, the sarge here requested you. I also want to let you know that he had his pick of who he wanted, so you should consider it an honor, because he is quite choosy when it comes to partners.”

“Thank you sir,” as I grinned like a damn fool. “I consider myself to be quite fortunate, and I will do my best to make sure that Sargeant Tomlison never regrets his choosing me as a partner.”

“Well, if neither one of you have any questions for me, you are dismissed.” Captain Smelter concluded.

On my first day off I went to the University of the District of Columbia where I submitted my application. Two weeks later I was notified that I had been accepted in the Bachelors in Criminal Justice /Criminology Program at the University of the District of Columbia. The nexr four years of my life would certainly not be dull or boring that is for sure.

In case, the reader is unsure of what Criminal Justice or Criminology studies entail, I have included some information on the subject below.

Criminology Degrees and Courses

Criminologists study violent crime, violent offenders, and the victims affected by these crimes. Their work involves analyzing the behavior of criminals for a variety of reasons, including:

Criminology, which is a subdivision of sociology and contains many components of psychology, anthropology, psychiatry, biology, statistics, and economics, is a broad discipline that works to explain the causes of criminal behavior to better develop preventative measures.Criminology may include the study of:

A degree in criminology or a related field should focus on the complex social phenomena of crime and its causes, effects, and prevention. It should also include study in:

Criminology Degrees and CoursesA degree in criminology from an accredited school or college examines how crime is defined, why people commit crimes, and how society responds to crimes. A criminology program also investigates the culture of crime, how the criminal justice system works, and how criminal behavior relates to any number of factors, including mental health, drug use, ethnicity, and family relationships.Typical degrees in criminology through accredited colleges and universities include:Bachelor of Arts in CriminologyA Bachelor of Arts in Criminology focuses on the causes and consequences of crime and crime control policies through the examination of a number of perspectives, approaches, and social disciplines. Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in criminology often pursue work in criminal justice agencies at the federal, state, and local government levels, in social work, counseling, or other human service programs, or graduate work in criminology or criminal justice.Core courses in a bachelor’s degree in criminology program typically include:

Criminology Degrees: Related Majors and Careers

Individuals pursuing a career in criminology may also seek degree programs or study in:

Common degrees in these areas may include:

Criminologists often find work as:

Administration of Justice – Bachelor of Arts Degree

While the Bachelor of Arts degree is Administration of Justice, the name of the program is Crime, Justice & Security Studies, sometimes referred to as Criminal Justice. It is the scientific and humane study of crime, examining how the justice system works and how we can effectively promote public safety in our community. Do you enjoy “CSI” or “Law and Order”? We can give you a chance to see how the process really works.The Crime, Justice & Security Studies program provides you the ethical foundation and commitment to human rights to succeed in any context of the field, whether working with youth in your community or researching emerging technologies such as the geo-mapping of crime data. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice  at the University of the District of Columbia prepares you for a career in youth work, law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, and related areas.Faculty members are highly qualified professionals, actively involved in discipline-related national and international professional associations.  They serve students as teachers and mentors in an engaging learning environment that encourages teamwork and civic engagement required by the profession.

Crime, Justice & Security Studies: Vision, Mission, Goals & Student Learning Objectives

VisionTo prepare students for employment in careers broadly relating to justice, crime or security studies; or for graduate or professional school, as well as community service.MissionTo design and implement an academic program that offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum from a public safety perspective that includes content from the social and behavioral sciences, human relations, ethics, legal studies, research, software application, professional practice, and crime statistical analysis.Goals

Student Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of the requirements in the Crime, Justice & Security Studies program, students will be able to:

Program of StudyStudents must complete 120 credit hours, including 82 credits required by the major, to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. The core curriculum and plan of study emphasize modern aspects of the criminal justice field including:

Computer-based research, computer software modeling, analytical writing and public speaking courses are required components of the applied research focus of the Crime, Justice & Security studies program. A concentration in Homeland Security, Science, and Technology and the opportunity to take courses from a specific area of interest, such as youth studies, law enforcement, corrections or STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) are also available.  Students conclude the degree program by completing a senior research project.

CJUS 1101 – Introduction to Law Enforcement

4 credits–This course covers the spectrum of policing in America. It is a comprehensive introduction to policing including its historical evolution, recruiting, community policing and use of force perspectives. The course covers the various policing agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. A review of the recruitment process for becoming an officer is provided so students can learn of the requirements for applying to a certain agency or department. This course will examine police administration from multiple perspectives; from a systems perspective emphasizing the interrelatedness among units and organizations; from a structural perspective emphasizing administrative principles, management functions, and the importance of guidelines; a human behavioral perspective emphasizing the human element in organizations; and a strategic management perspective emphasizing communications and information systems, performance evaluations, strategies and tactics to increase effectiveness of police agencies.

CJUS 1102 – Basic Law Enforcement I

9 credits– Prerequisite: Acceptance into Basic Peace Officer Training AcademyThis course covers the first half of 728 + hour Basic Peace Officer Training Academy. Basic Law Enforcement I and II provide the student with the fundamentals of entry-level peace officer training for employment as a law enforcement officer. The student will learn the technical and social skills needed to perform in the area of law enforcement. There is an increasing demand for better educated law enforcement personnel so the successful student can expect job opportunities as a peace officer. This program is offered in conjunction with the Greenfield Police Department. This is a state certifying academy and is conducted under the guidelines mandated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

CJUS 1103 – Basic Law Enforcement II

9 credits–Prerequisite: CJUS 1102This course covers the second half of 728 + hour Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy. Basic Law Enforcement I and II provide the student with the fundamentals of entry-level peace officer training for employment as a law enforcement officer. The student will learn the technical and social skills needed to perform in the area of law enforcement. There is an increasing demand for better educated law enforcement personnel so the successful student can expect job opportunities as a peace officer. This program is offered in conjunction with the Greenfield Police Department. This is a state certifying academy and is conducted under the guidelines mandated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

CJUS 1104 – Private Security Training

6 credits–This 157 hour training academy is designed to meet the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code for armed private security officer certification and will address all academic and skill areas of basic private security duties.

CJUS 1105 – Asset Protection & Loss Prevention

3 credits–The course focuses on administration and management issues related to corporate security functions, including strategic and operational management, risk management, contract security services, management of emergencies and loss prevention. Students will assess vulnerabilities and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report on the terrorist attacks against the United States. Facility protection standards are used to determine appropriate courses of action, from a security management perspective, using threat models and risk assessment concepts. Research is required and application of critical thinking is applied to address external threats and countermeasures. Practical exercises are conducted to apply research findings.

CJUS 1111 – Introduction to Correction

2 credits–This course will examine the institutional and non-institutional aspects of contemporary corrections. Community corrections, probation, parole and other forms of intermediate sanctions and incarceration alternatives will be analyzed. The operations of jails and prisons will be evaluated, focusing on safety, security, classification and programming.

CJUS 1115 – Interpersonal Communication

2 credits–This course analyzes the basis of effective communication in corrections and law enforcement by focusing on report writing, interviewing and interpersonal communication skills. Students will learn note–taking techniques and learn how to gather information from an interview/interrogation. Verbal and non-verbal communication methods are explored in addition to the planning, organizing, preparation and editing processes for reports.

CJUS 1125 – Criminal Law

3 credits–This course will explore the history, scope and nature of criminal law. It will analyze the general nature of crime, constitutional limits on crime and general principals of criminal liability. Topics include legal language and machinery, parties to crime, classification of offenses, act and intent, capacity to commit crime and various defenses. Primary emphasis will be on common law and modern statutory criminal codes. Students are provided knowledge of the building blocks of criminal law to include elements of crimes and defenses to criminal charges. The role of the police, criminal courts and attorneys in the administration of the criminal justice system will be discussed in detail. The course will teach the student how to analyze and brief criminal cases and identify and discuss criminal issues. An overview of the criminal justice process and rules of evidence will be provided.

CJUS 1199 – Seminar

1–6 credits–A discussion of particular problems related to chosen program and areas of interest.

CJUS 2201 – Criminology & Victimology

3 credits–The first part of this course will explore the origin, nature and extent of crime through an analysis of various causation theories. The various types of crimes, classifications of offenders and an overview of society’s response to criminal behavior will be discussed. The second part of this course will introduce students to the role of victimology in today’s criminal justice system. The discussion will focus on specific theories and coping strategies pertaining to domestic abuse, sexual assault, child maltreatment, elder abuse, property crime and homicide. Information regarding the victim’s rights movement, legislation and programming will be incorporated throughout the course.

CJUS 2215 – Ethics in Criminal Justice

2 credits–This course is an examination of issues of professional and ethical behavior within the criminal justice system. Key issues examined include professional behavior of the individual and the agency. Current topics such as sexual harassment, accreditation and maintenance standards and community relations are also discussed.

CJUS 2218 – Police Administration

3 credits–Prerequisite: CJUS 1101, CORR 101 or LENF 101This course will examine police administration from multiple perspectives; from a systems perspective emphasizing the interrelatedness among units and organizations; from a structural perspective emphasizing administrative principles, management functions and the importance of guidelines; a human behavioral perspective emphasizing the human element in organizations; and a strategic management perspective emphasizing communications and information systems, performance evaluations, strategies and tactics to increase effectiveness of police agencies.

CJUS 2220 – Restorative Justice

2 credits–This course will introduce students to the restorative justice movement in the criminal justice system. The historical background as well as the philosophies and practices resulting from this movement will be explored. Students will learn the significance of victim-offender mediation, community service and other reparation-based practices that seek to not only help heal those victimized by crime but also help reintegrate offenders into and with the community.

CJUS 2230 – Critical Incident Management

2 credits–This course will explore the volatile nature of managing critical incidents that occur within the field of corrections and law enforcement. Specific focus will be on the dynamics and methods involved in hostage negotiations, intervention strategies during a critical incident and the utilization of effective interpersonal communication skills. Team intervention approaches will be discussed along with information regarding post-incident debriefing.

CJUS 2233 – Criminal Investigation

2 credits–This course will introduce the fundamentals of criminal investigations through practical and theoretical approaches. Interviewing strategies, evidence collection and crime scene processing will provide a basis on which to manage an investigation and prepare for its presentation.

CJUS 2234 – Constitutional Criminal Procedures

3 credits–The first part of this course will examine the United States Constitution by applying the Bill of Rights to the operations of the criminal justice system. Information regarding judicial philosophies, interpretations and decisions will provide a basis on which to discuss the role of the United States Supreme Court and its ability to affect law. The second part of this course will examine a multitude of legal issues facing correctional staff. Sources of correctional law and specific constitutional amendments will structure discussions regarding the confinement and treatment of incarcerated inmates as well as those supervised in the community.

CJUS 2235 – Law Enforcement Internship

2 credits–Prerequisites: CJUS 1101, CORR 101 or LENF 101 and sophomore standing and good academic standingOn-the-job placement, selected by the college or by the student and approved by the college, will provide the student an opportunity to experience working in a criminal justice agency.

CJUS 2236 – Current Issues in Criminal Justice

3 credits–The first part of this course will explore major issues facing corrections today by analyzing the social context in which punishment occurs. Statistical data and varying points of view will broaden the scope of the topics allowing students to examine the impact of these correctional problems on the criminal justice system and society. Topics will include prison violence, gangs, institutional crowding, societal change and its impact on correction, inmate subcultures, female offenders, juvenile offenders, rehabilitations and treatment needs of offenders, correctional privatization and the death penalty. The second part of this course will examine the day-to-day policing and the stress found in both the daily grind and the division and stigmatization of certain branches of a law enforcement agency. Topics will include the dangers of misplaced loyalties, policing priorities and restorative policing.

CJUS 2240 – Correctional Case Management

3 credits–Prerequisite: CJUS 1101The first part of this course will analyze the function of probation, parole and community corrections as well as the role of those persons/officers conducting supervision of criminally convicted adults and juveniles. Offender classification, supervision and programming are examined with emphasis on case law, ethical issues and current trends. The second part of this course will examine correctional counseling, treatment and intervention practices from an intuitional and non–intuitional perspective. Specifically, the student will be introduced to methods of conducting initial assessments in order to determine offender risks and needs. Case planning practices including goal setting and referral will be discussed with emphasis placed on special populations of correctional offenders.

CJUS 2241 – Comparative Criminal Justice Systems

3 credits–Prerequisite: CJUS 1101, CORR 101 or LENF 101This course examines the differences in criminal justice systems of nation states, sovereignty issues and the impact of international crime on the quality of life and its ability to undermine the rule of law and democratic government.

CJUS 2245 – Crime Scene Investigation

3 credits–Prerequisite: CJUS 2233This course will introduce students to the role of the crime scene investigator in today’s criminal justice system. Major topics include the identification, collection and preservation of physical evidence at the crime scene.

As a beat cop, you never know what you are going to be exposed to from day to day. Unfortunately, domestic abuse seems to be our bread and butter. We also get a lot of petty larceny, destruction of private property, and violence against homeless people. We are the front line for murders and rapes, that is at least until the detectives arrive on the scene of the crime and take over the case. Being a police officer is a great way to get exposed to the seedier side of society.

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