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Northern Essex Community College

Module 3 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

In this assignment, you will examine the structure and organization of law enforcement in the United States by evaluating a proposal to create a single national police system. Unlike many countries that operate under centralized policing models, the United States relies on a decentralized system consisting of thousands of federal, state, county, tribal, campus, and local law enforcement agencies. This structure reflects the principles of federalism and local control that are deeply embedded in American government.

You will analyze a hypothetical proposal that would abolish state police agencies, county sheriff’s offices, and local police departments in favor of a single U.S. Department of Law Enforcement. Using concepts from this module, you will evaluate the potential benefits, drawbacks, and political consequences of such a proposal while considering how various stakeholder groups would likely respond.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Analyze competing approaches to organizing and administering law enforcement agencies. (SLO2)
  • LO2: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized policing systems. (SLO2)
Assignment Topic

Imagine that you are a member of Congress. One of your staff assistants presents a proposal to nationalize law enforcement throughout the United States. Under this proposal, state police agencies, county sheriff’s offices, and local police departments would be abolished and replaced by a newly created U.S. Department of Law Enforcement.

The proposed agency would be led by a Secretary of Law Enforcement and would establish police units in every state, county, city, and town. Supporters argue that such a system would reduce duplication of effort, improve coordination, create consistent national policies, standardize training, and provide equal salaries and benefits for officers across the country.

Before deciding whether to introduce this proposal in Congress, prepare a policy analysis that addresses the following questions:

  • What potential advantages could result from creating a national law enforcement agency?
  • What undesirable consequences or unintended problems could develop if the proposal were implemented?
  • How might a centralized national police force affect local control, accountability, community policing, and law enforcement discretion?
  • How would the proposal impact federalism and the traditional relationship between federal, state, and local governments?
  • As a politician, how do you believe each of the following groups would react to the proposal and why?
    • Voters
    • State and local politicians
    • Police officers and law enforcement organizations
  • Would the proposal improve or weaken public trust in law enforcement? Explain your reasoning.
  • Would you support or oppose the proposal? Why or why not?
  • Support your position using course concepts, examples from American policing, and comparisons to policing systems used in other countries when appropriate.
Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help identify examples of policing systems, summarize research, or compare centralized and decentralized law enforcement structures. All information must be verified using credible sources.
  • If you use AI during the research process, your final submission must reflect your own analysis, conclusions, and writing. Submitting AI-generated work as your own violates course academic integrity policies.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be 2-3 pages, using APA style, including 12 font and 1-inch margins.
  • A minimum of at least two (2) sources, with proper APA citations in a Reference Page and proper in-text citations.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Organize your paper using an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Address each stakeholder group and clearly explain how they would likely respond to the proposal.
  • Develop a clear position supporting or opposing the proposal and defend your position using evidence and analysis.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF format.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.