Hi! I am a student in need of help.

[rascalchic]

Hi. I am a criminal justice student from Chicago and am kind of stumped on a subject for a paper I have to write. I thought maybe you guys could toss some ideas at me, since multiple brains is better than one! Anyways, the topic must be a contraversial topic regarding police. I must be able to reasearch both sides of the fence and present a debatable argument for both. In regards to the term police, it may be a city, state or federal police issue. However, it must be regarding police, not the courts or corrections. I appreciate any feedback you guys could give.

Thanks,
Rascal

[dwf]

write about cops writing other cops tickets, that always fires up the crowd with good arguments on both sides of the debate and neither side budging.

Another hot button is pay, especially whether or not there should be overtime or holiday pay for holidays. Another topic with valid arguments on both sides.

[txinvestigator1]

To pursue or not to pursue, that is the question...................

[Jenna]

Shifts seem to be a hot topic as well......8hr vs. 12 hr shifts etc....more time off for the officer, but are officers as effective after so many hours on the job etc...

[modeler80]

How about the media and public awareness.
Or even more specifically the use of force and how the media/public perceives it compared to how an officer justifies the need for it.

Just a thought

[elisa8002]

polygraph test always seems to be a major issue here. im sure people will have alot to say on that topic

[Soon2bRookie]

Try this as a topic. I know in my classes that i have taken, and even in my academy now we talk about it a lot. Talk about if it is right or ethical for police officers to accept gratuities or half price meals/items, or "freebies" just because of their job position. How can these discounts affect an officers actions later is he is confronted with someone who has given him/her something for free? Are they owed something? I know that a lot of people don't think it is a big problem, but others are at the opposite end. In a way, these can be considered bribes, others are gratuities. Something as little as a cup of coffee is can be considered unacceptable. This can probably be seen at all levels of enforcement. Hope this helps.

[vadep]

I'm with TX on this one, "to pursue or not pursue"

The court of public opinion is still out, and the debate will continue to rage. With LAPD's recent very public policy shifts, this is once again becoming a "hot topic."

[rascalchic]

Thanks for all the thoughts guys. A few of those sound interesting and may just fill me up 5 pages! ;) I have to clear the one I choose through my professor.

Rascal

[Scubapro]

Pursuit is a great topic. It's also near and dear to my heart. I'm sure you would find alot of info on the subject.

[vbgecko]

A topic that I did a paper on was 'Excessive Force' and also touched base on some of the misconceptions. Made for a good paper and the information isnt that hard to find.

[dwf]

I'll weigh in with the pursuit topic, lots of information, misunderstanding and even division among LE. will make for great topic