Criminal Justice Competency
Describe the components of the United States justice system and how they are interrelated
Explain how various types of communication skills are utilized by sworn and civilian criminal justice professionals
Scenario
You are a community outreach coordinator at your local law enforcement agency. The department has undertaken an initiative to reach out to diverse populations in your community. There is always a need in your community for support toward becoming a citizen; numerous recent immigrants, resident aliens, and documented immigrants could benefit from a outreach materials that explain how the criminal justice system works in the United States. You have been given the task of creating outreach materials for this initiative. The materials you’ll create for this project are specific to the juvenile justice system or allied professionals; choose just one for the focus of this project.
Directions
Initiative Materials
Your initiative needs professional materials to support it. Create one or more relevant products that address all of the required elements:
Explain how your topic—either the juvenile justice system or allied professionals—relates to the law enforcement branch of the criminal justice system. Include information from one of the main bullets below.
Juvenile Justice:
School resource officers
School-to-prison pipeline
Juvenile rights
Status offenses
Allied Professionals:
Victim’s rights advocates
Goodwill ambassadors
Counselors / psychologists
Community service professionals
Explain how your topic—either the juvenile justice system or allied professionals—relates to the courts branch of the criminal justice system. Include information from one of the main bullets below.
Juvenile Justice:
Restorative justice
Court process for juveniles
Diversion / alternatives to arrest
Allied Professionals
Guardians ad litem
Witness protection
Counselors / psychologists
Explain how your topic—either the juvenile justice system or allied professionals—relates to the corrections branch of the criminal justice system. Include information from one of the main bullets below.
Juvenile Justice:
Juvenile parole/probation officers
Separation from adults
Allied Professionals:
Auditors
Mental health counselors
Contractors:
Food services
Medical services
Explain how social media relates to communication skills that are important in your topic.
Who uses social media?
For what purposes do people use social media?
Explain how active listening is a communication skill important in your topic.
Who should use active listening?
Why should active listening be used?
Explain how cultural awareness is an important communication skill in your topic.
Why is cultural awareness important?
Sample Solution
The United States’ criminal justice system is designed to enforce laws, ensure public safety, and deliver justice to those who have committed crimes. It is comprised of government bureaus, private agencies, and overarching policies that all work together to maintain order in our communities. While there are many moving parts, there are three major components of the criminal justice system. These all play an important role in keeping the public safe: Law Enforcement; Courts; Corrections. U.S. courts work closely with law enforcement and corrections in scenarios such as deciding whether or not to hear a case, sharing intelligence, asking law enforcement officers to testify during a trial, engaging in presentencing investigations, and determining alternative sentencing options.
