FINAL REFLECTION - 032005

Wow! Is it that time already??? Can't believe how fast the time has flown by!!!

The Capstone Class was one that was anticipated to be a difficult class to get through because of the barrage of writing papers that one had to write to pass the course. Because of my love for writing (can you tell???), I think I actually loved this course most of all because it challenged me to think back upon my prior criminal justice courses. Amazing at the level of knowledge that it made me remember and apply to the skills that I knew I have acquired throughout the years.

I am looking forward to my graduation day with the Kaplan University's Criminal Justice's Associate Degree Program. I am also looking forward to the next phase of my education wherein I will tackle the Paralegal Studies Bachelor's Degree Program at Kaplan University and concentrating in mediation, which will be a perfect place for my criminal justice skills, as well as skills I have obtained through my law office/paralegal experiences and the advocacy experience I have obtained over the last 15 years. To make myself absolutely marketable and have a backup plan to the mediation field, I would also like to get the Criminal Evidence Certificate that Kaplan University offers.

At 46 years of age, I finally feel that I have a direction and purpose that Kaplan University has provided me throughout the last couple of years. The education is bringing a renewed sense of focus and hope as I move forward with some additional education.

Thank you Kaplan University, thank you very much!!

CPCA - Special Response Team - 031505

Oops. I missed this class because I was wrapped up into working on my Kaplan University studies. Not realizing it until much later signifies my level of concentration in the matter.

My apologies to the CPPD tonight.

2005 National Crime Victims Right's Week

I wasn't aware that there was a week for this; but, I am glad that there is. I was surfing the web (as per usual :) ) and happen upon the Office for Victims of Crime website. Eventually, that lead me to the 2005 NCVR Week Resouce Guide. In this Guide, it not only delineates the guidelines for this year's National Crime Victims Right's Week, it also provides handouts, posters, flyers and other materials needed to assist in putting together a good event, as well as a background and history of the development, including details of Ronald Reagan's initial proclomation of this dedicated week 25 years ago.

In the meantime, what does this mean to my career? I think I still have a soft heart towards crime victims in general and would love the opportunity to work with more crime victims in the future. I am glad that events like this do take place because it certainly acknowledges those who aid in helping crime victims directly and indirectly. There are many people behind the scens who often do not get recognized for their accomplishments -- especially true with the aid to crime victims. I would love to be a part of putting on this event to recognize those such people.

CPCA - Criminal Investigation Overview - 030805

This was an amazing night. They told us to come prepared for having our outfits messed up with fingerprinting techniques, but we didn't get around to that -- at least, not to the extent that we thought we were going to do.

A couple of detectives shared their "war" stories in CID (the Criminal Investigations Department) of the Cedar Park Police Department. Amazing stories indeed and certainly that will be engrained in my head for years to come.

However, the most impressionable point of that evening was visiting the Crime Evidence Room. It was later told to us that no one, outside of the force, had had the opportunity to be in that room. I was amazed at their storage of an array of crime evidence storage areas -- including a lab room of sorts (not like CSI's), a enclosed area for storage of weapons within individual lockers, a mobile file cabinet to store various tapes and items in a compacted means, a desk area to type up various reports and a pass through system where evidence is locked down until it can then be logged in, processed (if need be for dna/fingerprinting/etc. testing), and stored for trial. Being of a paralegal background and having had to batestamp documents for trials, etc., I am very appreciative of the work that is involved in the processing of the evidence through the evidence room.

I would think that someone with my background could do well in that area, but would be improved upon by the Criminal Evidence Certificate that Kaplan University offers its students. Something that I am certainly going to have to look into myself.

Very interesting evening. I am glad I have been a part of the Cedar Park Police Department's Citizens' Academy Program.

APD Stats re Consent Searches

Austin police search fewer cars

It was interesting that The Daily Texas (Online) would have this as one of its leading articles; however, it is well known that drugs are a prevalient problem among all colleges not just The University of Texas and the issue of consent searches would be a prominent concern, especially, among those students who are involved with the drug use.

It is also interesting that they only included, though, the stats for the Austin Police Department and didn't include other surrounding areas such as Round Rock Police Department, Pflugerville Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Lakeway Police Department, San Marcos Police Department, Bastrop Police Department, or any one of the other surrounding areas because the students of The University of Texas are not known just for being strictly in the City of Austin. They do visit the other surrounding towns/cities as well.

It would be certainly interesting to see if the stats from Austin Police Department would compare to the stats from the other surrounding towns/cities on the same consent issue.

As a result, I don't think that The Daily Texas (Online) did as good as a job on this article as they could possibly have, which isn't really standing up to the reputation of the education level at The University of Texas.

I only hope that with my education that I am getting at Kaplan University, I will be a little more thorough in my research for an article/paper that I write in the future. I think sometimes, even the students of today, forget to include the answers to the whole gambit in their writings.

To me, this article in The Daily Texas (Online) has a lot of unanswered questions. I have been approached about writing a book; perhaps, I will follow through with that dream!!

Senseless Wounding as 5yo Boy Shoots Mom

Woman accidentally shot by 5-year-old son

It seems so senseless to be wounded "accidently" by a gun, especially when your husband is a County Sheriff and should be cognizant of leaving his weapons within reach of his children. Noted that he didn't need the weapon for his job as a jailor.

This happens so very much -- negligent gun usage, including the placement of guns within reach of the children. My father had lots of guns as we were growing up, but they all were locked up in a special closet that only he had a key to; I don't think that my Mom even had a key to this closet. He simply didn't take any chances with us kids being able to accidently access that closet.

Don't get me wrong. He did use his guns -- primarily for the use of hunting. When he took his guns out to use, he always had them carefully stored. Even when it came to cleaning the guns, I suppose that he waited until we were asleep and/or not at home in order to bring them out to clean.

You would think that someone that has a Peace Officer License/Jailor's License and the Concealed Weapons License, the county jailor would have been much more cognizant of his actions of leaving the gun on the dresser. This county jailor will have to live for-ever with the memories engrained of his son accidently wounding his wife. If the Mom does die, does the 5 year old get punishment for killing his Momma, albeit it was accident; or, does the father get punishment for killing his wife due to the negligence of leaving the gun on the dresser/nightstand in the first place????

I am certain whatever the case, the two of them will have those memories to live with for the rest of their lives and shall, hopefully, have learned something from their actions. I certaily wouldn't want to be in their shoes -- even for a split instant!!

One thing stressed in our classes is observation and ethics. Observation was the key here because the father observed his gun on the dresser/nightstand when he placed it there and didn't think twice about putting it straight up at that point in time. Ethics plays a role here because, had the role been in another person's home and their son got hold of the gun, there would have certainly been a lawsuit for negligence flying off (friend or no friend) of this jailor. Because of his status quo in the corrections facility, he is, and should be, held at a higher standard that someone with no law enforcement/correctional facility experience and background.

It will be interesting to see what the outcome of his wife/the son's mother is to see how they will lay down the punishments of the "crime".

CIT ACROSS AMERICA

NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) presents a "Friday Facts" each and every Friday, updating the member of NAMI with updates of what is happening in the proactive approaches for the good of its members.

One of the latest approaches of activism includes a survey about the areas Crisis Intervention Team ("CIT") programs in law enforcement entities across the country. It is asking for the support of its members to help get a snapshot of the type of CIT Program, which was originated by the Major Sam Cochran of the Memphis Police Department with his "consensus project" and Dr. Randy Dupont.

This Friday's news included the following information emailed to its members:

"As you know, law enforcement officers are frequently first-line responders to people with serious mental illness in
crisis. In an effort to better prepare these officers to respond to these individuals, a number of communities have developed police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs.

A significant body of research indicates that these programs have proven effectiveness, both in reducing injuries and in diverting people to treatment instead of arrests. The NAMI Board of Directors is conducting a
survey to identify communities that have adopted CIT programs across the country and evaluate certain characteristics of these programs. A brief questionnaire
has been developed to assist in obtaining this information. If you are involved or knowledgeable about CIT programs in your state or community, we would very much appreciate your help by taking a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire.
Or, please forward the questionnaire to others who are knowledgeable about these programs. The questionnaire and accompanying cover letter can be accessed at
CIT Survey

Although the program started in 1988 in Memphis, it is a continual process to ensure that law enforcement entities across the nation practice these approaches when needed. After all, everyone deserves to be treated like a human, don't they????