Spring 2026
Police Systems & Practices
Approved: TNS 1/6/26 Police Systems and Practices (CRIJ 2328) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the establishment, role and function of police in a democratic society. The course begins with the history of policing. It will then focus on types of police agencies and their organizational structure, police-community interaction, police ethics, and use of authority. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Explain the historical development of policing. 2. Describe the types of police agencies and explain the role of police in America within the context of a democratic society. 3. Describe the selection process for police officers. 4. Describe means and methods utilized to ensure police accountability. 5. Compare and contrast organizational structures, policies, strategies, and tactics employed to ensure police effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Vernon Clay Email: vjclay@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-790-1631 Office Location: Virtual Office Hours: By appointment REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Policing: A Text/Reader by Carol A. Archbold, 2013 edition. Sage Publishers. ISBN number is 9781412993692 ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance will be based on on-line activity. You are expected to log into the course a minimum of three times per week to ensure participation and that announcements are received. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified data as listed in the College Calendar on the Student Succes web page. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR WEEK TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) DISCUSSIONS (Due on this Date) 1 Intro – Discussion 1 01/24/2026 2 Section 1 – Assignment 01/29/2026 3 Section 2 – Assignment and Discussion 2 02/05/2026 02/07/2026 4 Section 3 – Assignment 02/12/2026 5 Section 4 – Assignment and Discussion 3 02/19/2026 02/21/2026 6 Section 5 – Assignment and TEST 1 02/26/2026 TEST 1 – 02/28/2026 7 Section 6 – Assignment and Discussion 4 03/05/2026 03/07/2026 8 SPRING BREAK No Assignments 03/09-13/2026 9 Section 7 -Assignment 03/19/2026 10 Section 8 – Assignment and Discussion 5 03/26/2026 03/28/2026 11 Section 9 – Assignment and TEST 2 04/02/2026 TEST 2 – 04/04/2026 12 Section 10 – Assignment and Discussion 6 04/09/2026 04/11/2026 13 Section 11 – Assignment 04/16/2026 14 Section 12 – Assignment and Discussion 7 04/23/2026 04/25/2026 15 Section 13 – Assignment and TEST 3 04/30/2026 TEST 3 – 05/02/2026 16 Course Project 05/06/2026 16 FINAL EXAM (OPTIONAL) FINAL – 05/09/2026 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Weekly Assignments 30% 2. Discussion Posts 30% 3. Tests 30% 4. Course Project 10% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS For the latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc., review the Minimum Computer and Equipment Requirements on the LIT Online Experience page. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. Late assignments will be assessed a 10-point penalty for the first week, then a grade of zero will be assessed. 2. There will be 3 tests and an optional comprehensive final. If you choose to take the final exam, I will drop your lowest test grade (including the final). 3. Attendance Policy. Attendance will be monitored through activity on Blackboard. 4. Additional class policies as defined by course instructor