Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Policing in America

 Title Abbreviation:   POLICING IN AMERICA

 Department:    CJ

 Course #:    114

 Credits:    3

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    3

 CIP:    430103

 EPC:    832

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Covers the history and three eras of policing; police procedures, practices and trends. Introduction to the history of motor vehicle laws and the applicability to society. Exploration of the various codes of RCW, Title 46, and WAC 468-38, and elements comprising each violation as written therein. Covers court preparation and applicability to juveniles.

 Prerequisite  

None

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Discuss the history and the three eras of policing.
  2. Discuss and understand police procedures, practices and trends.
  3. Understand the history behind the motor vehicle laws with which each state�s transportation system is dependent.
  4. Relate the elements which comprise the various traffic laws as written in RCW Title 46.
  5. Develop a working knowledge of the WAC and its applicability to transportation laws.
  6. Understand and recall those sections of RCW 46 which are considered felonies and gross misdemeanors.
  7. Develop an understanding of the hazardous materials section of Washington State and its applications to accident and local enforcement methods.
  8. Understand the principles behind the use and enforcement methods of applicable Federal transportation codes.
  9. Possess a working knowledge of the State and Federal transportation laws (if actively working in the criminal justice field).
  10. Possess an above average knowledge of the use and understanding of State and Federal transportation laws that will enhance their actual driving knowledge, thus performance (non-criminal justice personnel or those seeking a career in criminal justice).

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.6 Recognize how the value and biases in different disciplines can affect the ways in which data is analyzed.
2.7 Identify and evaluate connections and relationships among disciplines.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.5 Adapt to and function effectively in communities and cultures different from one's own.
4.6 Utilize ethical practice in relation to diverse communities and cultures for the promotion of equity and social justice.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the development and impact of technology in human experience (history, global, and local).

Course Contents

  1. History of policing.
  2. Three eras of policing.
  3. Police procedures, practices and trends.
  4. Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
  5. Revised Code of Washington (RCW), RCW 46.
  6. Applicable Federal Laws.
  7. Uniform Code on Traffic Control Devices.
  8. Enforcement procedures.
  9. Residency requirements.
  10. Reciprocal agreements between states.