Administration of Justice Courses

This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the juvenile justice system as it evolved in the U.S. justice system. The course explores the theories that focus on juvenile law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles in the U.S. justice system. It also examines recent case law and alternate methods and programs to assist juveniles.

In this course, students will learn strategies for recognizing and evaluating the conflicting statements of others, including victims, lay witnesses, expert witnesses, and other professionals within the field of administration of justice. They will also learn how to gather, analyze and interpret statutory law, case law, data and other information. Upon completion of this course, students will also learn to think critically and independently and support their own written and oral persuasive arguments with facts, research and logic.

This course will examine the impact of leadership, effective communication and organizational integrity in establishing trust in the administration of justice system. Beginning with initial contact with citizens to adjudication and punishment, this course will analyze the challenges of the complex procedures and processes that impact the legal system and the lives of people. The course will emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and ethical leadership by individuals and organizations as a philosophy.

The Law and Democracy course is an interdisciplinary exploration of themes such as equality, citizenship, participation, access, and social justice. We will look critically at how law structures as well as limits democracy and examine the idea of democracy as a universal value.

Students will learn the alternatives to legal action including mediation, arbitration, and settlement conferences. They will also learn the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative process and how to determine which is best suited to a particular case. Upon completion of this course, students will know proven strategies for resolving personal and professional disputes including diffusing conflict, labeling, negotiation, and determining the needs of parties involved in the dispute.

This is an introductory course that examines the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. The course covers the history, theory, and philosophy of administration of justice and the evolution of the principles, operational practices, and structure of the police, courts, and corrections agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, and the challenges and opportunities for law enforcement in an increasingly diverse society. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal processes, and sentencing and incarceration policies.

Investigative reports with emphasis upon accuracy and necessary details. Includes arrest reports, incident reports and miscellaneous field reports. Techniques and methods used to cover information; how to analyze and present information in a clear and concise report.

This course focuses on the major programs within the corrections component of the criminal justice system. It includes analysis of probation, institutional treatment, parole, and community corrections programs. Development of corrections philosophy, theory, and practice will be presented with emphasis on constitutional rights of offenders. Exploration also includes alternatives to punishment, rates of recidivism, types of correctional institutions, and impact on the criminal justice system.

This course offers an analysis of the doctrine of criminal liability in the United States and classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, elements of particular crimes, and defenses to crime. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law and will include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crime.

This course examines the origins, development, philosophy and the constitutional basis for the rules of evidence. During the course of the semester, we will explore the rules and policies governing the kinds of information which can be received at trial, how evidence can be properly developed and obtained by law enforcement officers, and how evidence may be considered by the judge and/or jury. Topics are considered from both a theoretical and a practical viewpoint.

This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, surveillance, source of information, utility of evidence, scientific analysis of evidence and the role of the investigator in the trial process.

This course examines the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict with an emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics include crime prevention, restorative justice, conflict resolution, ethics, and current best practices to enhance public safety while building trust. Students will also engage in analysis of strategies that affect agency culture, policy, administrative process, transparency, community engagement, and interactions with various populations.

Definition of a gang and gang activity. Historical and cultural aspects. Inter-relationships among local, national and international gangs, including prison gangs. Gang activity in relation to drug trafficking.

Analysis of the death case in order to arrive at the true cause and manner of the death, whether it be murder, suicide, accidental or natural. Emphasis on importance to investigation of the death scene.

This course examines due process and the constitutional, statutory and rule-based issues that arise in the formal processing of a criminal case from pre-arrest through trial and appeal.

This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, documents and controlled substances.

Origins of violence in the family including child abuse from the administration of justice perspective. Specific types of violent interactions and abuse among family members and responsible adults. Emphasis on techniques for use by peace officers and other social service professionals to intervene effectively.

This course is designed to prepare the administration of justice student for pre-employment physical ability testing, physical aspects of the Police Academy, and the maintenance of fitness and wellness as an incumbent. Course sessions will address aerobic and strength training, muscular endurance, nutrition and weight management, agility, coordination, balance and flexibility. An emphasis will be placed on injury prevention and back care.

Students will develop knowledge in practices and philosophy of use of force, basic principles and concepts of Arrest & Control and legal issues. Students will develop skills in course development, class planning, instructional techniques, and instructor liability for a defensive tactics program. Students will develop a basic lesson plan and teach assigned blocks of instruction in defensive tactics to other class participants. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the physical techniques of defensive tactics. Completion of this Defensive Tactics Instructor Course satisfies Regulation 1070 in the POST Administrative Manual. This course also satisfies the Arrest and Control perishable skills mandate. Special approval required for enrollment.

Designed to instruct experienced law enforcement officers and related personnel on the unique investigative and legal aspects of conducting internal affairs investigations, both administrative and criminal. Provides instruction on the techniques and procedures used in these investigations, as well as the legal, ethical and moral considerations that may arise when dealing with government employees. This class is designed for POST certified peace officers who hold a minimum of a basic POST certificate or civilian police employees who have been designated by their respective agency as an Internal Affairs investigator. Special approval required for enrollment.

Designed to train individuals to be firearms instructors. Covers basic firearms knowledge, teaching techniques and lesson planning, range preparation, combat shooting techniques and safety. A California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified course designed for full-time peace officers. Special approval required for enrollment.

This course is designed for those newly assigned to bicycle patrol work. It covers basic cycling principles and skills, including riding in traffic, bicycle fitness, gear selection, basic maintenance, health and nutrition, emergency handling skills, hazard evasion, night riding, patrol tactics, legal issues, traffic laws and scenarios. This is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified course for regular or reserve peace officers in federal, state, or local law enforcement. Special approval required for enrollment.

A course designed to provide the necessary rifle and tactical skills for the Sniper/Observer to function in support of high-risk law enforcement operations. Course content includes team missions, organization, marksmanship skills, field craft, ballistics, information collection, reporting procedures and tactical command post. This is a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified course designed for regular or reserve peace officers in federal, state, or local law enforcement and/or active duty military personnel. Special approval required for enrollment.

This course provides instruction and practical exercises focused on the specific needs of the patrol rifle instructor. Includes the use and application of the rifle as it pertains to law enforcement and the skills to instruct others in its use and maintenance. A California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified course designed for full-time peace officers. Special approval required for enrollment.

This course introduces officers to basic weapons and tactical skills associated with the responsibilities of a Special Weapons And Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.) member. Training includes member selection and team make-up, keys to survival, introduction to tactical weapons and movement of fire, weapon retention and take away, tactical building searches, rappelling, incident management under SMEAC and liability issues. This is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified course designed for full-time peace officers approved for SWAT training for their agency. Special approval required for enrollment.

This course is designed to train individuals in the use of the patrol rifle or carbine. Topics covered include rifle safety, marksmanship, zeroing procedures, firing positions, ballistics, reloading drills, malfunction drills, proper use of the rifle sling, basic tactics, low light engagements, and cover. Each attendee will be required to demonstrate proper usage and safe handling of the rifle. This course is intended for full time sworn law enforcement and/or active duty military personnel and other Public Safety First Responders. Special approval required for enrollment.

The Basic Police Academy course provides training in fundamental principles, procedures and techniques of law enforcement and is designed for employed or aspiring police officer recruits. It examines community relations, criminal law, criminal evidence, patrol procedures, investigation, vehicle codes, vehicle safety and operations, communication skills, physical conditioning, self-defense tactics, weapons, and health and safety. The Basic Police Academy Course is certified by the Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Special approval required for enrollment.

This course will cover the basic theories of leadership as they apply to problem-solving. The principles of authority and command will also be explored, as will the concept of failure as it relates to organizational decision-making. Examples will be offered from various models of leadership, including historic leadership styles, command and control, and leadership roles. Problem-solving/decision-making and strategic planning are current themes to be covered in the context of leadership. Students eligible to enroll in this course must have successfully completed a POST-certified basic law enforcement academy and be a peace officer pursuant to California Penal Code Section 830. Additionally, the student must obtain approval to register for this course from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Center. For more information, please visit the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Center website at https://www.sheriffacademy.com