Implementing a Conducted Energy Weapon Program
You are employed on the staff of the Association for Municipal Cities, a “think-tank” organization of researchers who take on projects for various mayors and city managers. You specialize in research on the organization and operation of the police department. The League’s latest client is the City of Virtual.
The Virtual City Police Department was created 63 years ago. The department has emerged as one of the primary policing agencies in the state. It has become a modern police department with 155 sworn officers. There are 70 civilian employees appointed to positions ranging from clerical support to correctional officers to crime scene technicians. The department is considered “medium” size in the spectrum of police departments across the country. (The organizational chart is the same as the chart for Project 1.)
The Mayor of the City of Virtual, and the Chief of the Virtual City Police Department are considering adopting Conducted Energy Weapons, for use by the members of the Virtual Police Department. As there are significant concerns with these weapons, the Mayor and Chief have want to have a full understanding of the issues related to using Conducted Energy Weapons,
The Mayor has asked the League to prepare a literature-research position paper for her on moving forward with this proposal (or not) based on the pros and cons uncovered in your research. She may ultimately use this objective research document as part of her portfolio on the appropriate use of technology in support of public safety.
Conducted Energy Weapons are more commonly known by the brand name of TASER, which is sold by a company known as Axon. However, there are many manufactures making these weapons.
As this paper is intended for the Mayor to decide to implement a Conducted Energy Weapon program, so there is no reason to recommend a specific device for adoption.
Clearly, should the Mayor decide to adopt a Conducted Energy Weapon program, the Use of Force polices and training must be updated. This also does not need to be discussed in the paper.
Assignment:
As a member of the staff of the Association for Municipal Cities, you have been assigned to prepare a research paper for the Mayor of Virtual City on implementing a Conducted Energy Weapon program for the Virtual City Police Department. She has asked that you present both the pros and cons as objectively as possible.
Your personal recommendation is not part of this research report.
In this instance, the cost is not an issue.
Formatting requirements:
Your report should include:
- An APA formatted cover page with your name, project title, course, and date submitted
- An introductory section that explains the purpose of the paper
- Five (5) FULL narrative pages, (not including cover page and references page) separated by no more than double spacing, 12 pt. font, and 1 inch margins.
- The composition may be a combination of outline and narrative with outline statements and submit to the assignment folder.
- At least 4 external sources; 2 supporting police use of Conducted Energy Weapons and 2 against them.
- External sources should come from the UMGC Library data base materials or other peer-review publications such as professional journals, peer-review articles, etc. Because these materials are more creditable, they will receive higher point consideration. Internet-based articles, news reports, etc. are also acceptable but may receive lower project point scores.
- Wikipedia is never an external resource. However, the footnoted material in Wikipedia may lead you to the original source document which may be acceptable as a creditable external source.
- Resources, including course materials, must be cited both in the narrative where appropriate and on a separate references page, using American Psychological Association (APA) citation rules.
- External sources should come from the UMGC Library data base materials or other peer-review publications such as professional journals, peer-review articles, etc. Because these materials are more creditable, they will receive higher point consideration. Internet-based articles, news reports, etc. are also acceptable but may receive lower project point scores.
- At the instructor’s discretion, this project may be submitted to Turnitin or other service for verification of originality.
