Components of the criminal justice system - Essay Example

Contemporary Problem in Law Enforcement The essay aims to present a of a problem or challenge and recommendations for the future from one of the three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, or corrections. The chosen component is law enforcement, and the problem that would be discussed focuses in addressing assassination plots to law enforcement officers in the US by a notorious Mexican gang. The analysis would include a description of the problem, factors believed to have contributed to the problem, recommendation(s) for a solution, and proposed implementation plan for the solution.

Ensuing Problem in Law Enforcement A published report in Ten8 (2010) entitled “U.S. Homeland Security Issues Alert: Mexican Assassin Teams Targeting U.S. Law Enforcement” proffers pending problems pertinent to summarily assassinating law enforcement officers and other members of the criminal justice system extending to their families by the Barrio Azteca gang, a notorious Mexican gang, allegedly retaliating on a reported crackdown of its members. According to a report published by the Homeland Security Newswire (HSNW, 2010), “the Barrio Azteca gang, which formed in Texas prisons in the 1980s, is a brother organization to the Aztecas gang in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the epicenter of Mexico’s violent drug war… members of the gang’s “assassination teams” are thought to work for very small monthly fees.

One official from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has said Aztecas have been known to kill for as little as $100” (par. 7). The factors that contributed to this problem is the imposition of restraint and forceful regulation in activities of the members by law enforcement officers. As indicated in the HSNW (2010) report, “the paramilitary-style gang has an “open policy” to kill its rivals and may turn its sights toward local law enforcement officers” (par. 4). To solve this problem, law enforcement agencies have issues warnings for intensified efforts and alert bulletins for additional safety precautions and to be more vigilant of members of the group who could endanger the lives of law enforcement officers.

However, despite the dangers posed by the gang, any illegal activities should not be tolerated and legal actions, consistent with proper procedures must continue to be applied until all the members have been disbanded, apprehended and held legally accountable for their criminal actions. Therefore, law enforcement officers must adhere to the standard operating procedures to monitor, apprehend and to apply legal proceedings when members of the gangs are caught under their jurisdiction. References Homeland Security Newswire (HSNW). (2010). DHS: Mexican assassin teams targeting U.S. law enforcement.

Retrieved 07 June 2011. < http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dhs-mexican-assassin-teams-targeting-us-law-enforcement> Ten8. (2010). U.S. Homeland Security Issues Alert: Mexican Assassin Teams Targeting U.S. Law Enforcement. Retrieved 07 June 2011 < http://ten8.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/u-s-homeland-security-issues-alert-mexican-assassin-teams-targeting-u-s-law-enforcement/>