PA- Capstone Outline
Introduction
I have many reasons for wanting to become a police officer, but importantly I feel confident that I am on the correct path for my professional career. Police work gives me the opportunity to help people and take on my responsibilities to my society. I feel comfortable with the work police officers must do, although they work with many kinds of people I like meeting people from all walks of life. I feel good about myself as a member of the community and feel I realized when I was younger I am a person who wants to take action instead of only complaining about problems in society. The work of police officers is to protect people from criminals and crime; I have studied and work many hours to learn how to protect people well. The idea of protecting people to keep them and safe is a job I can feel good about. I am comfortable with all phases of the job that I have encountered from street work to office paperwork. In general I believe that justice and order builds strong neighborhoods and stable countries.
An MPA fits into my professional plans, because the degree helps me accomplish tasks with knowledge. I have a natural inclination to police work, but aspects of the work need managerial skills that I must develop. Public policy issues need to be understood so as a police I can understand the reasons for orders I am given. Studying about public policy also gives me insight to how people the police protect expect from the policies that are in place.
I joined the college and through my hard work and effort, I managed to graduate in 2010. While I was at the police college, I realized that the Abu Dhabi`s police strategic department did well both locally and internationally. The hard work at the department prevailed through several awards and international certificates. In 2010, I graduated from the college with a Bachelor Degree in Police Science and Criminal Justice.
Work as an Investigator
My immediate job after graduation involved investigation, I enjoyed the job of investigator. Since my graduation I worked as an investigator for the duration of one year. Some of the major roles I played as an investigator involved good timing, applying what I have learned and ensuring that investigations are going in the right direction. In addition, I developed a good, close relationship with the key informants that provided essential information related to the cases. Moreover, I recorded the correct observations about the cases on of all the records to make a comparison and links to the information available for the cases. I also classified the issues related to the cases and ensured some evidence was available to aid in the judicial trials. I went further, cooperated with other key agents and offices, and discussed the major issues concerning investigations. Perhaps my main point is that I enjoy my work and I work hard.
While I was working at the Abu Dhabi Police Department, my first commanding officer built into me a sense of purpose and meaning in my profession. The current commanding officer during that time worked hard, and he managed to keep the entire unit in order, united and connected. The Abu Dhabi Department was an ideal place to start my career since it enabled me to grow professionally and gain much experience. Moreover, the Abu Dhabi police department gave me excellent opportunity to pursue my master`s degree in the United States and allowed time to study. I had a great chance to practice the English language among other benefits. The opportunity was great since I could advance in a foreign language and the master`s degree could open up more job opportunities. One of the key things that I valued while training at the police college was good communication. Good communication is absolutely necessary because the police officers frequently interact with diverse people in society to gain information that aids in solving cases. In my community, we have very many people with diverse cultures; the intelligence unit needs to understand the various tactics that are most useful in the investigations.
After the first year was over, I had gained a lot of experience and expertise in making the investigations. The second year was very different since I was working in the Criminal Investigation Department. This department enabled me to gain more experience since I focused on preventing the crimes from occurring. This department was super since it gave me an opportunity to grow through various works. I often engaged with my local community when I was collecting information required for the case. My participation in the society engaged me most of the time, and this was great since I enjoyed my work each day. In addition, I was never exhausted with my job since each day was exciting and connected with challenges and success.
Work as a CID
Nevertheless, I worked later as a CID in the police department. The CID department investigates cases and crimes that need serious scrutiny. At some stage of the investigation, some crimes may require specialists to ensure proper investigation and transparency prevail. The kind of offenses involved includes the murder cases, fraud, robberies, some assaults and sexual offense among others. The CID role requires investigation of the crime that has already occurred since they often have the high workload. The demanding workload of the CID implies that they do not patrol the streets.
At the department, I made a detailed investigation and offered testimonies with substantial evidence required in the trials. In the CID unit, some individual units deal with proper detection and aid in the prevention of the crime. I helped in investigations by carrying out forensic laboratory studies. In addition, I did some great interviews with the friends, family, and relatives of all the victims and suspects. The meetings were necessary since they could aid in revealing some hidden information. More information increases the chances of making a correct decision and judgment. Moreover, a variety of information makes obvious contradictions that help find the truth.
The investigations carried out at the CID involve many duties that include the local communities and society. The community actively affects the CID when it cooperates in providing information and responding by contacting them. CID prevents the occurrence of many crimes in the Abu Dhabi since the community contacts with the CID on time. In my second year of work, I managed to scoop an award for doing a thorough investigation. Throughout my hard work in police departments, I find I love my job and feel that it has enabled me to gain more respect in the community.
After my service in the CID, I traveled to the United States. Further education is crucial since it enabled me to acquire more professional and technical expertise of a public administrator in the Police Department. Studying abroad would be a gateway to the achievement of various skills that aid in sustaining very specialized and skilled employees. One of my desires is to pursue a public administration course since my goals and competencies equal to the set objectives in the Abu Dhabi police. When Abu Dhabi police realized my passion for pursuing the program, they encouraged me since they believed in me due to my previous productive work.
ADD THEORY
Studies in the United States
I am a person with strong communication skills, leadership, supervisory skills and a creative thinker. These personal traits encourage me to pursue the program since it will improve my personal characteristics and reach a proper path for development and growth. The public administration program comes with many benefits that range from an outstanding knowledge concerning management and addresses work experiences similar to my current responsibilities. The new skills gained are essential for the growth and development of any organization. After pursuing the program, I believe that I will initiate investigations that are more comprehensive than cases I have worked on earlier in by career because I have a new skill set and more experience in technology.
In addition, the program was designed so I know how to implement what I learn in the workplace. I believe that the program is important in increasing my efficiency in performing my work. My leadership skills and problem-solving skills in the organization will improve since I will have gained new skills. Studying in the United States will enable me to gain experience that is more diverse and expertise as I interact and communicate with people from different regions. Given a chance to choose an institution to study my MPA, I preferred Kentucky University. My choice is right since the school provides an extensive research environment, quality learning, and exceptional characteristics, among others. The University is among the most famous and well regarded higher education institutions in Kentucky.
The management theories of Max Weber and Luther Gulick are the theories that make the most senses to me. I find that the theory of management an individual applies must be practical and targeted to meet the desired goals of the police department or organization. Police work is complex and requires a lot of attention so Organizing, Directing, Staffing, Coordinating, Reporting and Budgeting (PODSCORB) is something I plan to keep in mind for when I am working on management tasks. Some people may find the theories old-fashioned but I like how both men believed that ethics and values are the firm foundation makes public administration work best.
I studied for three semesters at Western Kentucky University. Later I decided to transfer to Tarleton State University since most of my friends who at Tarleton recommended that I should study MPA at the Tarleton State University. During my studies at Tarleton, the environment that prevailed in the university enriched my experience and skills. I managed to interact and meet new people and utilized the available facilities. The teachings were excellent since the professors possessed considerable knowledge and expertise. I was able to ‘soak in’ all the ideas that teachers tried to deliver in the classes.
The teaching techniques that the teachers use are of high quality, since they incorporate current news reports and other real world events in the classes and teaching. The study of public administration is important since it will enable me to learn the significant factors necessary to gain success in my profession. The major issue of how to apply these skills in real life led me to come up with a skills analysis. I often participate in the extracurricular activities like going to the gymnasium. Moreover, I have attended public administration course lectures in the United Arabs Emirates and the United States. All these activities have greatly aided me in developing my teamwork skills and develop a high quality leadership style, while at the same time allowing me to communicate and cooperate with others well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my career life has positively changed me since I am delighted to say that I have gained a variety of experiences. I started at the Police Department that enabled me to realize that skills from the classroom are different when it comes to real life. While at the CID, I increased my skills and experience due to the large, diverse community. Finally, I realized I needed to further my studies and managed to pursue a master`s degree in Public Administration in the United States. This was a great move because I increased my work experience and skills while in different environments in the United States and opportunities to travel to other parts of the world.
Courses
Western Kentucky University
Political Science 520: Elements of Public Administration
The concept of public administration within political science in relation to being a police officer encompasses different complex concepts that are interrelated and drawn from many academic disciplines and a variety of agencies. At the same time, the concepts and elements of public administration are related to different professions, which work together with a cluster of different categories such as political, legal, occupational, and managerial (Kettl D, 2014). The essence of these categories to a police officer is to ensure that he/she is all-rounded when dealing with the citizens. In the political field, the police officer would understand the operations of the government within the political context, which is declared public. Moreover, the application of the concept by the police officer would be to deal with the issues related to public interest, which cannot be established on an individual capacity.
According to Kettl (2014), public administration is also essential to a police officer within a legal context, which enables one to understand the legal instruments that bound one within the law. In addition, the police officer would acknowledge the laws that are in action within the context of regulations, statutes, codes, and ordination. At the same time, the police officer would be equipped with managerial skills that would be applicable in translating an individual’s will in running the bureaucracy establishment of the public (Kettl D, 2014). Finally, public administration is essential for a police officer in implementing the occupational concept where one would understand the ideologies portrayed within his framework of study and work.
PS501: Methods of Political Inquiry
The application of political inquiry within the public administration, especially the police service, entails introduction and research methods related to political science, which are applicable in systematic approaches and principles that act as a platform within which politics are organized. Moreover, an individual will be in a better position to collect and gather data, which are necessary in establishing a better inquiry within a political platform. At the same time, the police officers or public administrators would be subjected to different methods of political inquiry, which incorporates the empirical and normative theories with the incorporation of quantitative and qualitative research methods in establishing a conclusion.
Subsequently, the police officers would have to accrue some skills and establish other perceptions within the political field. For instance, they would be able to appreciate history through understanding the present state of affairs and disciplines through paying attention to the past events. Secondly, a police officer will also be given the opportunity to survey the landscape through the systematic proponents of the political establishments of cities to countries corporations (Kettl D, 2014). Moreover, the police would be subjected to building a toolbox used in applying different methodologies that are applied through proving claims based on reasoning and evidence. Fourthly, the police officer would be in a better position to reason and think critically through the application of the study: political science is handy here as it gives one the ability to evaluate an issue and acknowledge the facts about it when drawing conclusions. Finally, the police officer would have the knowledge and ability to communicate effectively where he/she would be in a position to master different objectives and reasoned opinions based on clear and concise communication.
PS 541: Public Personnel Administration
Public administrators apply the concept of understanding public personal administration to establish the issues related to human resource management whereby they would use it as a tool of ensuring the workplace or station that undertakes its operations successfully. However, the public administration concentrates on raw labor or work force, though it has been established that the practice itself does not contribute to the successful development of any organization or establishment. At the same time, the public administration usually converts the concept into human recourses through the application of planning that entails a systematic, proper training, and education (Faggiano, y, et.al. 2012). Eventually, the police officers and public administrators would be in a position to apply their personal functions within this system through compensation, development, procurement, and maintenance of the personnel by ensuring there is interrelationship within the organization.
PS 542 Government Financial Administrations
In understanding the Government Financial Administration, the public administrator would be in position to know the economic standing of the government through assessing the different branches of economics such as government expenditure and government revenue through the public authority (Berman, Bowman, West, & Van, 2016). At the same time, the public administrator would be in a position to adjust some of the financial issues in order to achieve the desired effects through avoiding those that are not required (Weikart, Chen, & Sermier, 2013). Moreover, as a police officer, an individual would also take into consideration the issues that affect the government in terms of distribution of income, efficient allocation of resources, and stabilization of microeconomics.
If the three concepts do not meet the proper threshold, then the public administrator would have failed in his duties. For instance, the individual would have allowed the existence of market failure, whereby the allocation of goods and services were not well-balanced (Rubin, 2014). In addition, understanding of the Government Financial Administration gives the individual the upper hand in identifying the proper use of public goods, externalities, and a better establishment of a strong economy of scale.
Criminal Justice Administration
The term 'criminal justice administration' applies to the nature of management of personnel or resources in ensuring that the law is upheld within the community. At the same time, understanding criminal justice administration gives a leeway on focusing on different ways in which one can prevent and punish criminal activities (Stohr, 2014). Moreover, the concept would be very practical to a police officer as it tackles the issues such as prevention of terrorism, policies associated with immigration and social policy. The application is also favorable to the public administrator, as it would enable the individuals to work in different department within the criminal justice system such as court administrators, law enforcement agencies, correction departments, and victim services.
According to Berman et al. (2013), as a public administrator, the study of criminal justice administration would help in understanding the law enforcement and criminal behaviors from a different perspective (Kania & Davis, 2012). At the same time, it has been realized that the study also helps in making individuals within the criminal department be qualified to work in different departments and categories that would require their skills.
Tarleton State University
MAPA 5300 Public Administration
As one engages in learning public administration, the main aim is to be able to offer service to others. Moreover, through understanding public administration, an individual will also be preparing to become a manager and a leader within a government institution. Different universities that offer the courses on public administration prepare the students to exclusively focus on the gaining entry into departments such as managers, administrators or leaders within different organizations (Faggiano & McNall, 2012). The skills that they would acquire would be beneficial to them having better knowledge of the organization, initiating the required goals and leading the other subordinates in the right direction through fiscal administration, organizational leadership, program management, and political advocacy. For a police officer, the program and skills instigated by the studies would ensure that one has both skills and prospects, which can be used in the field and at the office behind the desk.
My plans are to work within a law enforcement capacity in a leadership position. I will continue to work hard on whatever I do and attempt to choose positions as police officers that have potential for promotion. I feel I have a natural ability to lead. My experiences in a different culture (the USA) have really broadened the way I think about the world. Therefore I may like to work in a law enforcement position as a liaison with an international law enforcement organization.
CRIJ 5321 Management of Criminal Justice Personnel
Several factors come into play when one decides to embark on taking management in criminal justice personnel as the main concept is to deal with criminal behaviours and having effective safety measures within the public domain (Stohr, 2013). Moreover, the studies are seen to work closely with the administration and management issues within the judiciary, law enforcement, correction departments, and private security. For a police officer, undertaking the studies would be practical, as one would be prepared to have management skills in different criminal justice departments, as it would be easy to apply the different policies acquired from the department (Kania & Davis, 2015).
MAPA 5345 Managing Critical Social Problems
For a police officer, there are certain social problems that enrolling for classes associated with managing critical social problems would be beneficial. For instance, it is essential to always remain stress free, which is one of the issues that law enforcement experts go through on a daily basis. The officers are seen to be rough, tough, and ever ready to serve and protect, especially when they are seen patrolling the streets as citizens usually feel safe (Leon-Guerrero, 2015). As an officer meets these expectations on day-to-day routine, one would notice that it is challenging though out there people think of them as super heroes. As a result, these studies are essential to the officers as they deal with the worst which comes from everywhere within the society.
On the other hand, the studies would help in dealing with the code of ethics for criminal justice workers as it is one of the issues that face law enforcement professionals. In order to work proficiently, it is appropriate for the criminal justice system to apply a code of ethics as the employees more often face serious conflicts, hence, they need guidance due to the nature of the problems they encounter. In fact, the studies assist in guiding a person in decision-making, which is one of the main applications of a code of conduct (Leon-Guerrero, 2015). For law enforcement organizations to run correctly and smoothly, the guidelines provided by the code of ethics need to be followed. In addition, the studies would help in dealing with forgery, extortion, excessive force, and bribery, as they are some of the behaviors that are unacceptable within the society. Furthermore, law enforcement is the lifeline of law and order in any society.
MAPA 5350 Public Administration Capstone
The study of public administrations entails numerous things, which should be implemented. At the same time, the study has attractive features, which one should accomplish after completion of the studies. The first issue is that the individual would be able to work and manage the colleagues he/she is working with in the same institution (Rosenbloom D., et.al, 2015). Moreover, the individual will also be in a position to develop the leadership qualities since they have studied different subjects related to the skills. Finally, as a police officer, taking the studies would be profitable since there would be a chance of being in an important government position after completion of the studies.
PA- Capstone Table
