Pursuing Criminal Justice - Essay Example

? Pursuing Criminal Justice of Learning Introduction Many scholars, schools of thoughts and various individuals perceive the meaning of justice differently. However, in law enforcement, there is no single definition of the concept justice, which is an attempt to protect innocent people both civilians and non-civilians wrong doings such as the psychological and psychological abuse. The wrongs committed to the innocent people vary from trivial to serious matters. Therefore, the purpose of justice is to find a middle ground with an aim to building consensus on both the less sensitive and more sensitive issues in a fair way (William, 2011). In order to ensure that the innocent person is protected against harm, the federal government has established various departments and structures to facilitate these duties, namely the courts of law, correctional facilities and other agencies, which are very independent. In the United States, it is very important to recognize the existence of a criminal justice agency. In every 50 states, this totals to 51 criminal agencies in the United States (William, 2011). Indeed, one cannot deny that justice is synonymous to law enforcement. Therefore, the law enforcing agencies are tasked to treat both the individuals encountered and perpetrators with utmost unfairness. This touches on the morality of the law enforcing agencies and their ability to enforce laws of the land while at the same time; they maintain a moral and honorable move. It is justice that encompasses upholding of right and respect of individual freedom by the law enforcers. The origin of the criminal justice, particularly in the United States dates back to 1967 when the presidents’ commission mandated with the powers of law enforcement and administration of justice came up with a report called “The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society.” The report was seen by many as a ground-breaking since it provided more than 200 proposals in an approach towards fighting and prevention of crime (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). This commission created a structural approach on criminal justice and among its recommendations was a methodology that would ensure coordination among the legal court systems, correctional agencies and law enforcement improve. It is this commission that tried to define criminal justice as the enforcing standard of conduct that could be significant to protecting communities and individuals from committing crimes. Moreover, the discipline of criminal justice dates back to 1920 with August Vollmer, the Berkley police chief, an established criminal justice department at the University of California. It was O.W. Wilson, a student of August Vollmer, who started and researched on the meaning of the criminal justice (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). Throughout the evolution process of the criminal justice, its scope has included the additions or removals of certain forms of punishments. Precisely, policing has led to change in customs and rights of offenders that are considered among other transformations in the criminal justice system (Ritter, 2006). Essentially, it is of the best interest to promote justice in the society, having the knowledge of how many people have suffered as a result of the injustice. It is important to uphold the moral values of the professional law enforcement agencies, which demands that one remains partisan at all times and have the utmost sobriety when carrying out justice. This means that both the victims and the offenders have the right to fair treatment. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every stakeholder in the judicial system to make sure that proper legal procedures are set in place (Ritter, 2006). One can be able to achieve promotion of justice as a law enforcing agent, through the protection of the freedom of speech, affirmative action, gay rights, and gender rights, build anti-poverty and economic opportunities that would help the poor. In addition, ending the mandatory arbitration to provide legal services to the poor and the working families, and make sure there is effective criminal justice system. These legal efforts are not only intended to the less privilege members of the society, but to all the citizens (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). There are several achievements by the law enforcement agencies that have come as a result of their practices. Largely, these practices can be demonstrated in the discussion that follows. Investigation: this is a very fundamental practice, particularly, in an attempt to promoting justice. Here, the law agencies collect crucial evidences on and off the scenes of crimes. These evidences can be used as a proof or a basis on which the accusations are made. This means that those who are given jail sentences are guilty, while the complainants in a case are satisfied for the justice committed (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). Another important practice by the law enforcing agencies includes the patrol and the maintenance of law and order. This particular practice has helped a lot because the law enforcers are able to stop a crime before it happens. Maintaining law and order means that the weak in the society are able to move freely without fear since they know that the authority is on the look out to protect them from harm and to provide the necessary legal justice. During the police patrols, they are capable of responding faster to the crime scene (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). The law enforcers are not only limited to the maintenance of law and order, arresting criminals or investigating the criminal offenses, but they can also be credited for the provision of social services. Since these social services are provided for each individual citizens’’ well-being, it is at the centre of the focus that such practices by law enforcers promotes justice, especially when they help the needy (Frank, Daniel & Hall, 2009). It is important to note that though there are those who still feel that these practices have shown high levels of justice. As already witnessed earlier, investigation, patrol and maintaining order with the provision of social services that are crucial in the society, without which one hardly survives. The lack of such basic necessity might lead one to committing crime such as stealing and prostitution to earn a living (Frank, Daniel & Hall, 2009). Interesting, one cannot deny that these same practices tend to promote justice. For example, if the investigation is not properly conducted by the concerned law enforcement agencies, there are very high chances that the result ruling might not be just. A suspect might end up in prison unfairly due the wrong court verdict delivered by the presiding judge (Frank, Daniel & Hall, 2009). Another way these practices can lead to injustices includes the situation where the patrols and maintenance of the law and order are done selectively, that is in the presence of the law enforcing agencies. Therefore, the presence of the just society enables people to live in a peaceful co-existence with one another. In terms of the provision of the social services, in case there are people, whether immigrants or criminals, a particular race or ethnicity who are residing in the United States, are denied the basic social services, it is a clear sign of injustice. Everyone has the tight to the basic necessities and other social services (Greenberg & Colquitt, 2005). Changes Provided by the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks The combined tragedies of the 9th September remain the most devastating experience in the United States since the assassination of the former president, John F. Kennedy. In fact, the consequences of the event impact more heavily oh the law enforcement. Generally, the law enforcement has since then charged from being reactive to a position of productivity to help in combating immediate crimes (William, 2011). Particularly, in the criminal justice system, a lot of changes have been witnessed. For example, the implementation of the US Patriot Act and the Department of the Homeland Security (DHS) that has greatly transformed the face of the criminal justice system. In October 2011, the US patriotic act, which has since then signed into law, greatly affected the individual citizen’s rights as a result of the big inputs made by the authority of the law enforcement agency (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack ,2011). As a result of the establishment of the department of the homeland security act that was initiated by the former governor of the Pennsylvania. Tom Ridge led the formations of the new organizations, which include transport security administration that is mandated to run all the security issues in the United States airport to counter threats of terrorism attacks (William, 2011). This come hand –in-hand with the increased surveillance in and around the airport. Emergency response services and effective communication systems have been improved to promote the communication systems among the law enforcement agencies. This facilitates a proper response to react swiftly. Across the country, the law enforcement agencies have embarked on training programs that would help in averting the 9/11 attack (William, 2011). The national commission on terrorist attack, a branch of the law enforcement agency was established after the bombing. The agency helps in sharing information, logistical and military support to combat terrorism. Efficiency amongst the law enforcement agencies has also been promoted through training and working together of the federal agencies (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack (2011). The changes can be said to have been positive over time because the federal government has been able to keep at bay the activities of terrorists away from the soils of the United States. Notable is the “Justice” that has been met by those who lost their loved ones, and the victims who were compensated (David, 2004). Activities of the law enforcement agencies have seen perpetrators of the terrorism and those who executed them being identified. The biggest achievement is the recent killing of the top leader of the Al-Qaeda terror network whose organization had claimed responsibility of the attacks. Some other members of the terror group have also been brought to justice to face the full force of the law. This forms a significant step and achievement in the justice system (William, 2011). The changes in the criminal justice system are very necessary, an idea supported by many analyst of the criminal justice system. This has made it easy to deal with the devastating effects of the criminal activities. The attacks brought about fears among the citizens of the United States (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). The crimes caused massive loss of life and property. Many people were severely affected since they lost very vital body organs, children were left orphans and the national pride of the country was greatly affected. The fact that these changes have yielded positive results is a subject of debate. Therefore, the federal government cannot be blamed for these changes in the criminal justice system. The law enforcing agencies have done the best they can to prevent crimes in the country (David, 2004). One cannot argue that these particular changes were met by any negative responses from the professionals in this field. The truth is that some quotas were not fully familiar with the changes, arguing that either they were not sufficient or not effective. Contrary to this fact, many professionals agree that these particular changes were in the best interest of the innocent people, that is, they were adopted in the search for justice and should be supported (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack ,2011). On the other hand, some few members of the public echoed their concern about the wrong that such changes would pose a big economic challenge to them in terms of taxes. However, majority of the people were behind the government giving their full support because they felt that such changes were very crucial to protect the land and citizens of the United Nations from another devastating terrorist attacks and also to foster justice for the victims. Therefore, one can be attempted to say that these changes had a better support of the professionals and the public (David, 2004). The government attempted to seek the support of everyone on board. Therefore, there is need to embark on civic education of the public on how these new changes were going to be effected and become effectively successful. The government also had to convince the public that the land of America and its citizens had to be protected at whatever cost. Though, it had to neither explain carefully and convince the citizens that the economic growth of the country would nor be affected as a result of the war (William, 2011). It is challenging whether or not such changes could have occurred even without such drastic causes. The events of the wars and terror attacks were looming before the 9/11. Therefore, it was just a matter of time before the government effected such changes, though one can argue that the magnitude of such changes were very devastating (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). Some of the challenges facing the law enforcement agency cannot be assumed. These include the diversity in terms of culture across the globe that affect what people consider as just. This makes it very difficult to formulate clear policies that are universally considered as just. However, it can be noted that the present trend of globalization, mobility and spreading diversity might harmonize our culture. Moreover, communication is still a big challenge (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). Effective and the most efficient technological methods and infrastructure are needed to help in the crime management. Therefore, this might hinder efficiency of the law enforcement agencies. Incase one has some crucial information, which could be on the terror bombing groups and targeted place, the crime detective experts can move in swiftly to stop the crime. The most appropriate risk control measure must be used to reduce or eliminate the crime. The following hierarchy of risk control should thus be considered. The first objective should be to eliminate the risk. This involves removing the crime through measures such as stopping criminal operations. Second, the management should focus on substituting the crime management process with a less one if it can not eliminate it. Third, the crime should be isolated by restricting access to specific machines. Fourth, the management should focus on appropriate engineering. This involves redesigning a work procedure or equipment in order to make it a less crime. Fifth, administrative measures should be taken to reduce the crime. Such measures include adopting standard work procedures, training citizens on how to respond to crimes and providing adequate information about crimes at the country. Finally, the management should provide personal protective equipment to be used by citizens in case of an emergency such as bomb blast and a fire breakout (David, 2004). Crime management should be implemented as an on-going process in order to enhance improvements over time. Thus the monitoring and review process should include the following. The effectiveness of the existing control measures should be evaluated regularly. New control measure should thus be formulated to replace ineffective ones. Data should be collected regularly in order to identify emerging crimes. Scheduled inspections should also be conducted regularly by independent organizations to give the nations a better understanding of the crimes (The National Commission on Terrorist Attack, 2011). Conclusion These challenges can be handled well if the law enforcement agencies are committed to bringing justice to the people of the United States. The sharing of the intelligence information and unity is very crucial in the crime management. Essentially, it is important to ensure that the information given by the public is taken seriously. The members of the public are advised to report any suspicious activity that might lead to crime. In sum, it is clear that justice is a mandatory requirement in the society to help avert criminal activities, which cause loss of life and destruction to property. In this regard, the citizens also have a crucial role to play in the crime prevention and management. The needed information should be timely provided to the law enforcement and intelligent agencies. References David, C., 2004. Cultural Intelligence. California: Barrett- Koehler Publishers. Frank, J.S., Daniel, E. & Hall, J. (2009). Criminal Law Today. Irvine: McGraw-hill Publishers. Greenberg and Colquitt (2005). Handbook of Organizational Justice. New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Longman Publishers. Ritter, N. M. (2006). Preparing For Future Criminal Justice in 2040. New York, NY: National Institute of Journals. The National Commission on Terrorist Attack (2011). The 9/11 Commission Terrorist Attack. New York, NY: Norton and Nations. William, J. S. (2011). The Collapse of the American Criminal Justice. Harvard: Harvard College. Read More