Theory in the Profession

I’ve chosen to highlight a triumphant story of the Phoenix Police Department. Officer Chad Lutz collaborated with the school social workers at North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and led a selected group of students in an interventional regiment that would prove quite successful. Some of the participants were victims of unhealthy relationships modeled at home, which resulted in them acting out through violence when faced with challenges.

The goal of the program was to build healthy relationships and juvenile relationship violence awareness and prevention. Some participants volunteered to be a part of the program because they were interested in learning more about preventing adolescent relationship violence. Some students were selected to participate due to exposure to violence. The program was 8-16 weeks, with each class lasting 25-50 minutes. Learning coping skills to overcome adversity, anger management skills, building healthy interpersonal relationships, and decision processing to make positive life choices were topics covered.

While interacting with the students, Officer Lutz wore his uniform. Although the uniform is a symbol of authority – this program humanized Officer Lutz. The school social worker worked closely with the school counselors, teachers, and staff and made sure students fully participate in the sessions. There were several beneficial factors to this program; it offset school suspensions for delinquent behavior, although the classes were not a consequence of misconduct.

Crime is a violation of the law, and deviance is a violation of social norms and rules. Regarding how I view crime, I reference the reading resource that highlights the two adult Iraqi refugee brothers who married two minor sisters. In Iraq, this is a custom; however, a crime in the United States. This story has somewhat changed my view on how I view crime. In my estimation, an adult marrying a minor should be a crime, as the child is still developing physically and mentally. Despite this, such conduct is morally and legally permissible in some cultures. Killing another person is a crime unless the action occurs during times of war. A disadvantaged mother stealing food for her children would be considered deviant however may not be held criminally accountable based on societal standards.

One perfect example of how criminal justice professionals can create positive social change is by reaching children early and engaging them in programs such as the Phoenix Police Department. Prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation must remain a top priority to ensure social change. A transformation that results in positive outcomes requires the collaboration of various entities, private and government. Most notably is the involvement of the human component.

References

https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/CPOS/ss/4_03_SPS_Phoenix_FINAL_508.pdf

Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:

Sage Publications. Chapter 1, “An Overview of Crime and Criminology” (pp. 1–21)

STUDENT #2 Robin Bryson

The difference between deviance and crime. Deviance is a violation of societal norms. Crime is a violation of state law. Agents in control of the crime are the police, other law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system. Agents that are in control of deviance are societal pressure and the fear of God. The government can deal with crime, and society has no coercive power to deal with deviance.

I love the story for the state of Missouri. The citizens help the police with policing the neighborhood. They report any suspicious activity to the police department. Assisting the police build a strong bond with the citizens of the community. When neighbors see that helping the law is making the neighborhood safer, you will get more cooperation.

Reference

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. GRANTEE SUCCESS STORIES. GRANTEE SUCCESS STORIES | COPS OFFICE. https://cops.usdoj.gov/granteesucces

Lawson, T., & Heaton, T. (2010). Crime and deviance. (2nd ed.). London: Palgrave Macmillan.