Maricopa Community Colleges  LET125   19926-19952 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 05/26/92
LET125 19926-19952 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
Overview of the basic guidelines of the United States and Arizona Constitutions, focusing on those parts which deal with the rights of the individuals. Also covers laws of arrest, common civil and criminal liabilities experienced by law enforcement officers and agencies, the civil process, rules of evidence, and courtroom proceedings. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
LET125   19926-19952 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
1. Identify the purpose of the Bill of Rights and the content of the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments of the United States Constitution. (I)
2. Explain constitutional concepts for police officers. (I)
3. Name the four elements of arrest. (II)
4. Describe the degree of physical force which may be used when effecting an arrest or detention of a misdemeanor. (II)
5. Identify the general principles of civil liability as they relate to law enforcement officers. (III)
6. Name the leading causes of civil litigation against law enforcement officers and agencies. (III)
7. Describe Arizona laws which pertain to the service and execution of warrants, summons, and subpoenas. (IV)
8. Describe the more common problems which may confront the police officer in dealing with civil cases. (IV)
9. Identify the application of the rules of evidence as used in law enforcement. (V)
10. Differentiate between direct and circumstantial evidence. (V)
11. Define and explain hearsay, confessions, dying declarations, documentary evidence, competency of witnesses, and privileged and non-privileged communications. (V)
12. Name the steps of a pre-trial preparation. (VI)
13. Describe the proper and improper techniques, attitude, appearance, and mannerisms displayed during a simulated trial. (VI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
LET125   19926-19952 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
    I. Constitutional Law
        A. Brief History of the Constitution
        B. Content of the Constitution
        C. Relations Between the Nation and the States
          1. Distribution of Powers
          2. Reciprocal Duties
          3. Federalism at Work
        D. Constitutional Concepts for Police Officers
        E. Exclusionary Rule
      II. Laws of Arrest
          A. Why Police Officers Need to Have a Knowledge of the Laws of Arrest
          B. The Police Officer's Authority to Arrest
          C. Arrest
            1. Four Elements or Arrest
              a. Intent
              b. Authority
              c. Seizure of Detention
              d. Understanding
            2. Two Basic Types by Officers
              a. Probable Cause Based on an Investigation or an Officer Witnessing a Crime
              b. Arrest by Virtue of an Arrest Warrant
            3. Elements of a Valid Arrest Warrant
            4. Use of Force in an Arrest
          D. Securing of Prisoners
        III. Civil Liability
            A. Definitions and General Principles
            B. Principles of Tort Liability
            C. Intentional Tort Liability
            D. Defenses
            E. Negligence
            F. Burden of Proof
            G. Early Termination
            H. General Police Duties
              1. Reasonable Care When Performing Duties
              2. Care of Incapacitated Persons
              3. Emergency Medical Care
              4. Arrestees
              5. Reasonable Medical Care
              6. Duty to Protect Property in Custody
              7. Police Aid to Private Citizens
              8. Statutory Duties
            I. Due Regard for the Safety of Others
            J. False Arrest
            K. False Imprisonment
            L. Constitutional Restrictions
            M. General Concepts
            N. Other Liability Issues
          IV. Civil Process
              A. Powers and Duties of Sheriff
              B. Summons/Complaints Issued by Arizona Courts
              C. Civil Procedures
                1. Method of Service
                2. Return of Service
                3. Service/Executions
                4. Court Orders
                5. Seizures
                6. Pawnbrokers and Peddlers
            V. Rules of Evidence
                A. Types of Evidence
                B. Witnesses
                C. Hearsay Rule and Exceptions
                D. Dying Declarations
                E. Public Records
                F. Former Testimony
                G. Privileged and Non-Privileged Communications
                H. Corpus Delicti
                I. Miscellaneous Rules of Evidence
              VI. Courtroom Proceedings
                  A. American Judicial System/Concept of Jurisdiction
                    1. Federal
                    2. State
                  B. Participants and Roles in the American Judicial System
                  C. Officer's Role as A Witness in Court
                  D. Testimonial Conduct
                    1. Techniques
                    2. Attitude
                    3. Appearance
                    4. Mannerisms
                  E. Cross Examination
                  F. The Processing of a Criminal Case
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