Recommended Study Sequence

This unit provides the social context for the detailed study of criminological theories in Crime and Criminology. The definition of particular social problems as crimes, how crime is measured and explained and who are identified as criminals or victims is not straightforward. This unit challenges conventional criminology that accepts at face value that crime can be defined by criminal law or by a conceptual analysis of the harm done. The unit examines how police, courts and corrections influence processes of criminalisation and victimisation and the societal context in which this occurs.

This unit introduces students to the historical and continuing influences that have informed policing policy and practice and shaped police institutions. Content reflects the emergence of policing in Britain and North America; contrasting these developments with the history of policing in Australia since colonisation. The unit covers alternative models of policing practice which emerged following the 'contemporary crisis' in policing since the 1960s, and considers new trends such as privatisation, globalisation and technological developments which continue to transform police institutions.

This unit provides an introduction to contemporary policing roles within legal and regulatory frameworks. It combines this theme with an overview of how communities are policed under the 'rule of law' and how police forces relate to governments. The content also explores the police powers and roles as part of the wider criminal justice system, including the relationship with the courts. The statutory and common law basis for police powers is examined within the framework of the office of constable.

This unit introduces students to the central concepts, theories and methodologies of sociology, and demonstrates the ways in which sociological thought contributes to a systematic and critical understanding of contemporary society. The unit draws upon case studies from Australia and other societies.

The unit introduces students to the major theoretical approaches within criminology, from the eighteenth century criminology of the Enlightenment through nineteenth century criminological positivism to contemporary forms of critical criminological theory. It does this through a careful study of the work of particular thinkers associated with these traditions and the international body of scholarship in the field of criminology. Students will explore a range of issues and apply criminological theory and research in an integrated way while developing their skills at working in groups.

Globalisation has become a key term in contemporary social science, and is much debated, in both popular and academic forums. The processes of globalisation appear to be creating not so much a single homogenous world culture, but rather, a world in which citizens participate in , and identify with, both global and local cultures. This unit traces the emergence of a global capitalism and through the use of case studies drawn from throughout the world, examines the links between global structures and local cultures. It aims to provide students with a broad understanding of global social science.

The management of traffic law and the prosecution of traffic crime has evolved as an interrelated activity of policing involving the community, road users and a range of statutory authorities. Policing in this context has often been considered mundane or simplistic. This unit challenges that assumption, examining some of the issues that have led to current policies and practices in relation to traffic policing. The unit critiques and explores the success of community education and driver education programs in meeting the objectives of effective traffic management. It also explores issues in relation to vehicle crime, including the theft and illegal trade of vehicles and their parts and the impact of that theft on the unlawful registration and use of vehicles. Traffic safety is a key theme throughout the unit, for example in relation to drink driving countermeasures and speed control.

An important aspect of contemporary policing in Australia involves co-operation between policing institutions, various government and non-government agencies and community based groups. This broad based multi-agency network is responsible for assisting in the prosecution of crime and for the implementation of crime prevention strategies, whilst identifying and attempting to minimise the socially constructed causes of crime. This unit examines the way policing and other government agencies theoretically and practically interact. The content focuses on multi-agency effectiveness in responding to major crime, family voilence, emergency management and other challenging behaviours within the community.

This unit raises awareness of the ethical dimension of policing practice, and provides students with the knowledge and skills to engage in ethical on-the-job decision making. It includes an examination of the basis for personal and professional ethics, a review of guidance provided by professional codes of practice and human rights standards, and the application of ethical principles via applied policing case studies. Major ethical problems such as discrimination, corruption, deception and excessive force and examined using material drawn from commissions of inquiry, internal affairs investigations, published literature, human rights documentation and the everyday life of serving police officers.

Authoritative and effective policing requires a working knowledge of the fundamentals of law, the legal process and the rules of evidence. This is particularly so when police are performing a prosecution role. This unit is predominantly concerned with key statutes and Common Law pertaining to criminal law and procedure in New South Wales. Fundamental rules of evidence under the general categories of relevance, reliability and fairness are scrutinised with some of the more difficult concepts relating to; the lawful gathering of evidence, hearsay, admissions, opinion, identification and circumstantial evidence, being examined in depth. The unit's focus is on the application of the laws and procedures relating to policing practice. Some of the less fundamental, yet integral procedures, revolving around court attendance and bail are also examined.

This unit introduces students to the criminal investigation role of police officers. Whilst the term 'criminal investigation' is used to describe the work of detectives, in reality, all operational police officers undertake criminal investigation. Uniformed officers and detectives alike must have a sound understanding of common criminal offences, police powers and the appropriate means of presenting evidence to the courts. This unit outlines different types of criminal investigation undertaken by police. The unit focuses on basic investigative practices which are common to all investigators and provides insight into the more specialised investigative techniques utilised by detectives. The unit feature case-based scenarios covering a broad range of criminal offences. This unit's content builds on the content of Introduction to Policing Practice and Law, Evidence and Procedure.

Technology is impacting on the criminal justice system at an almost alarmingly fast rate. Policing has endeavoured to keep pace in the application of the latest technology for both detecting and prosecuting all crime including the more traditional property crimes, the more serious crime-against-the-person and the more recent technologically-based information crime. This unit reviews the range of technological advances which are impacting on policing performance, including application of technological advances that detect, investigate and ultimately lead to the prosecution of a range of criminal activity. This review also focuses on the increasing use by offenders of technology to both commit crime and to escape detection.

Students of policing are required to experience, by observation and practice, a variety of policing roles and models within the context of local operational centres including Local Area Commands (LACs). Within limits of confidentiality, students observe a range of policing functions with the aim of gaining knowledge and skills appropriate to the office of Constable. This unit provides students with a practical insight into the dynamics of LACs. Students develop and understanding of the LAC structure and command, including the specialist roles of investigation, intelligence, custody management, community and business liaison, brief management, crime prevention, youth liaison and the tasks of ancillary units. Students also understand the deployment of staff, the implementation of teamwork principles, specific policing methodologies and legislation applicable to operational environments (including cultural and socio-economic parameters) and the processes of communication with alleged offenders, witnesses or victims.

This unit introduces students to the criminal investigation role of police officers. Whilst the term 'criminal investigation' is used to describe the work of detectives, in reality, all operational police officers undertake criminal investigation. Uniformed officers and detectives alike must have a sound understanding of common criminal offences, police powers and the appropriate means of presenting evidence to the courts. This unit outlines different types of criminal investigation undertaken by police. The unit focuses on basic investigative practices which are common to all investigators and provides insight into the more specialised investigative techniques utilised by detectives. The unit feature case-based scenarios covering a broad range of criminal offences. This unit's content builds on the content of Introduction to Policing Practice and Law, Evidence and Procedure.

Computer crime is one part of the wider band of corporate crime and fraud. It has become a "big ticket" item in contemporary law enforcement and crime prevention. The changing nature of work environments, the rapid incorporation of technology into commercial and industrial contexts has exposed individuals and corporations to this new form of criminal activity. This unit constructs accurate definitions of computer crime and describes its characteristics. The difficulties associated with legislating against the globalised nature of computer crime will be discussed and students will be provided with a developing knowledge of the key issues facing law enforcement agencies in controlling for preventing its spread.

Crime control has been described as a reactive, time-limited strategy targeting offenders, the domain of few criminal justice agencies. Crime prevention is a longer-term strategy directed to changing conditions and eliminating opportunities which contribute to crime. Crime prevention is the responsibility of all agencies, organisations, communities and individuals. This unit considers the theories, models and strategies for the prevention of crime as an alternative to prosecutorial policing. The unit also explores the concept and steps necessay in the planning of crime prevention programs.

Police have considerable contact with young people and sometimes, police-youth encounters are marred by tension and hostility. The challenges posed by these dynamics, coupled with the specific criminal justice legislation for young people, create an often contested area of policing. This unit deconstructs some of the key features of police-youth relations and provides a thorough analysis of youth crime, the juvenile justice system and proactive strategies employed to improve police-youth relations. This unit explores the relationships between police and young people in managing the above issues.

Australian police have had a close and often controversial relationship with government. This unit explores that crucial relationship in the context of the political environment, and analyses the range of factors, both internal and external to the organisation, which influence institutional structures and practice.