Overview
CRJS 410: Special Needs Policing is designed to identify those groups, and the various characteristics of those groups, that have special needs with respect to policing. Identifying and assessing these needs within the policing context will better equip police officers to protect and work within these various communities. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a broad understanding of the diverse policing needs within a community, the diversity within a community, and how policing needs change over time. As the dynamics of a community change, so do the ways in which it is policed.
Outline
Criminal Justice 410: Special Needs Policing is divided into 11 units as follows:
- Unit 1: Police Decision Making
- Unit 2: Identification of Special Needs in Policing
- Unit 3: Crimes Against Children
- Unit 4: Women at Risk
- Unit 5: Elder Abuse
- Unit 6: Mental Health and People with Physical Disabilities
- Unit 7: Internet Crimes
- Unit 8: Hate Crimes
- Unit 9: Profiling
- Unit 10: Street Gangs in Canada
- Unit 11: Policing and the Issue of Drugs
Evaluation
Your final grade in Criminal Justice 410: Special Needs Policing will be based on your performance on three written assignments totaling 50 percent of your overall course mark and a final exam, also worth 50 percent of your final grade. Please note that in order to receive credit for the course, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the final exam and an overall course grade of at least 50 percent. The following chart indicates the assignments for credit, their weighting toward the final grade, and the date on which they are due according to the study schedule provided in the course:
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Assignment 1: Policing and the Identification of “Special Needs” | 10% | Upon completion of Units 1 and 2; Week 5 of the suggested study schedule |
| Assignment 2: Dealing with “Special Needs” within a Family | 20% | Upon completion of Unit 7; Week 9 of the suggested study schedule |
| Assignment 3: Working with the Needs of a Community | 20% | Upon completion of Unit 11; Week 13 of suggested study schedule |
| Final Exam | 50% | Upon completion of Unit 11 and all other course assignments; Week 16 of suggested study schedule |
| Total | 100% | |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
The course materials for Criminal Justice 410: Special Needs Policing are mostly found on the Moodle course site. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the various course components. The time you take to get acquainted with the materials will help you to begin your studies with confidence. If you have any problems or questions, contact your tutor for assistance.
Textbook
There is no text book for this course.
Reading File:This course contains a print reading file.
DRR (Digital Reading Room): Other readings for this course are contained in the DRR. You will be directed to these readings at the appropriate points in the course.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CRJS 410 challenge registration, you must complete all components, achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the final exam and achieve an overall course grade of at least D 50 percent.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assign. 1 | 10% |
| Assign. 2 | 20% |
| Assign. 3 | 20% |
| Exam | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form