College of Justice and Safety

Criminal Justice & Police Studies

Police Studies Program

Course Descriptions

PLS 103 – Foundations of Policing. (3) I, II.
Formerly PAD 103. Overview of police functions and responsibilities at the local, state and federal levels. Police operations are examined relative to effectiveness in crime control, delivery of services and maintenance of order.
PLS 216 – Criminal Law (3) I, II.
Formerly PAD 216. The nature of the criminal act; the essential elements; theories of responsibility; exculpatory matters; overview of common law offenses; identification of trends in the law.
PLS 220 – Criminal Investigation (3).
A. Fundamentals of criminal investigation, crime scene search and recording, collection and preservation of physical evidence, scientific aids, modus operandi, sources of information, interview and interrogation, follow-up, case preparation and case management.
PLS 315 – Police Administration and Management. (3) I, II
Formerly PAD 315. Critically examines the theories of motivation, leadership, and organization in the police context. Police administrative and management functions studied emphasizing personnel management and organizational change.
PLS 316 – Criminal Evidence. (3) I, II.
Formerly PAD 316. Overview of trial procedures; classification of evidence; proof; presumptions; relevance; eyewitness identification; testimonial privileges; character; hearsay; impeachment; scientific evidence; collection and preservation of evidence.
PLS 320 – Workshop in Law Enforcement (1-3)
A. Formerly PAD 320. Designed primarily for in-service law enforcement personnel; focuses on current problems, issues, and strategies in law enforcement. May be retaken to a maximum of six hours.
PLS 326 – Police, Liability, and Ethics. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 326. Police conduct is examined relative to ethical and legal principles. Application of federal and state civil, criminal and administrative law including civil rights issues.
PLS 330 - Topics in Police Studies. (1-3)
A. Formerly PAD 330. Examination of a contemporary issues in policing including historical perspective, societal issues, present statues and future development. The police response to a specific problem is the core of this course. Course may be retaken for a maximum of six hours on different topics.
PLS 349 - Cooperative Study in Police Administration. (1-8)
A. Formerly PAD 349. Prerequisite: departmental approval. Work, under faculty and field supervisors, in placements related to academic studies. One to eight hours credit per semester or summer. Total hours: eight, associate; fifteen baccalaureate. Minimum 80 hours work required for each academic credit. A maximum of three hours of PAD 349 and 424b can be applied toward the PAD major or minor.
PLS 375 - Terrorism/Counterterrorism. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 375. A study of domestic, foreign, and transactional terrorism, with emphasis on the philosophical bases, organization, equipment and operations of terrorist groups. Role of law enforcement agencies in implementation of anti-terrorist measures is examined. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for APS 375.
PLS 390 - Predatory Crime and Crime Patters. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 390. Examination of selected crime categories including predatory street, conventional property and sex crimes. Areas of concentration include theoretical and ecological characteristics, victim-offender relationships, and crime patterns emphasizing police responses.
PLS 408 - Police Computer Technology. (3) I, II.
Formerly PAD 408. Prerequisite: CIS 212, 230, or instructor approval. Overview of police computer applications and the impact of computing technology on police operations, including the prevention, detection, and investigation of computer crime.
PLS 410 - Human relations in Policing. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 410. Theoretical and practical problems and issues in the relationship between police agencies and the total community. Various police-community relations programs are outlined.
PLS 415 - Contemporary Police Strategies. (3)
A. Review of contemporary police issues, programs, and strategies. Detailed analysis and the relationship between the police and the community. Assessment of police reform measures and accountability merchanism. Prerequisites: senior standing.
PLS 416 - Criminal Procedure. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 416. Prerequisite: PAD 226 or instructor approval. A detailed study of the laws of arrest (including the use of force), search and seizure emphasizing the constitutional basis, historical development, statutes, and recent court decisions.
PLS 424 - Field Experience. (3-12)
A. Formerly PAD 424. Prerequisites: instructor and departmental approval. Maximum of 12 semester hours. Designed to broaden the educational experience through appropriate observational work assignments. (Intended for pre-service students in non-sworn positions). A maximum of three hours of PAD 424 and PAD 349 can be applied toward the PAD major or minor.
PLS 426 - Federal Criminal Law. (3)
A. Formerly PAD 460. Prerequisite: PLS 216 and 316. An examination of the federal criminal law enforcement system with a focus on substantive offenses. In addition to specific crimes, the bases of federal jurisdiction will be studied.
PLS 460 - Independent Study. (1-3)
A. Formerly PAD 460. Prerequisite: departmental approval. Individual study and/or research on a problem relating to police studies. May be retaken to a maximum of three hours. Student must have the independent study proposal form approved by faculty supervisor and department chair prior to enrollment.