CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS

Challenges of Criminal Justice Organizations

Challenges of Criminal Justice Organizations

Introduction

In the fastly changing world characterized by increasing terrorism, crime, rape, and misuse of drugs, criminal justice organizations, and more specifically law enforcement entities like New York Police Department (NYPD) face numerous challenges. Coping with these challenges demand much dedication and utilization of highly sophisticated technology and information resources. The optimal use of committed, well-trained, ethical, and qualified potentials may help such organizations in dealing with the rise of criminal cases, helping the society to implement constitutional privileges and ensure the civilian liberties of people. With the growing threat of terrorism, NYPD is set to its best in the areas of criminal activities (Evans 2011). This paper will explore the various challenges currently faced by leaders of criminal justice organizations and relate those challenges to NYPD. This paper also lists the steps I can take as a criminal justice professional in improving the performance of the organization I am serving.

Discussion

The definition by the State Department has more importance in relation to law enforcement after the September 11, 2001 attacks, as terrorism has extended the law enforcement role to many areas including premeditated crimes and those stemming from political motives sourced from any of the sub-national groups or clandestine and anti-state agents. Presently, the U.S. police force is granted a greater degree of surveillance powers in reaction to possible threats of crimes of all nature, including drugs and terrorism. The domestic terrorism is growing, especially given the fact the financial pressures are rising among the locals, and when immigration policies are lax. U.S Patriotic Act has demanded strict maintenance of educational records of all students; particularly those coming from abroad and strict measure are to be taken by law enforcement in this regard.

Many smaller agencies which are not as highly staffed usually cross train staff in multiple areas (for example, an officer normally serves on the traffic unit yet is also a member of the youth task force). Other options include contracting with larger agencies for specialized services such as a crime lab or dispatching. According to some authors this method may cause employees to lose sight of police service as a whole by encouraging only specific functions on a micro level (Hellriegel et al, 2001, p. 489). Place design refers to the actual zoning of an agency's jurisdiction in order to maximize its coverage.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Right had recommended the city should establish an independent monitor to review the police in New York City and there should be an independent prosecutor who would handle high-profile cases involving allegations of deadly force that has been used inappropriately. The commission has also called for an independent review of substantiated cases paying particular attention to cases where the NYPD did not initiate disciplinary action (Evans 2011). The commission also called for the establishment of annual town hall meetings in each borough as part of a viable outreach program. There would seem to be a considerable way to go before ...