Significance and Application in Criminal Justice Policy Proposal
[WLOs: 1, 3] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4]
Prior to beginning work on this assignment,
· Review Chapters 4 and 10 from your textbook, Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice.
· Review the interactive, Addressing Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice.
Screen 1: (Learning Objectives)
This interactive aims to familiarize you with the real-world scenarios you might encounter as
a criminal justice professional (e.g., police officer, prosecutor, or judge). After completing this
interactive, you should be able to:
• recognize ethical dilemmas in criminal justice
• understand the consequences of decisions on racial equity
• develop strategies to address racial disparities
Screen 2: (Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice)
• Introduction Text: Review the video to understand the importance of addressing racial
discrimination in the criminal justice profession.
• Instruction Text: Select the play icon to access the video.
o [Screen 2 has a video with introduction text. This video has a transcript and
closed captioning]
Screen 3: (Selection Screen)
• Introduction Text: Assume the role of a criminal justice professional and engage in three
branching, real-time scenarios to understand how to address racial discrimination in
ethical decision-making.
• Instruction Text: Select any scenario to start the activity. When finished with all
scenarios, select the “Next” button to continue.
• Scenario 1, Scenario 2, Scenario 3
[The screen displays an image of an arrow, and three tabs named Scenario 1, Scenario
2, and Scenario 3. Each of the tabs is clickable. Screen 4 will open on selecting the
Scenario 1 tab, Screen 5 will open on selecting the Scenario 2 tab, and Screen 10 will
open on selecting the Scenario 3 tab.]
Screen 4: (Policing)
• Respond to accusations of racial profiling at a traffic stop
You are stationed at a traffic signal and stop an approaching car. You tell the driver that
his vehicle’s plates have expired and ask for his license and registration. Upon seeing
the registration that is still valid, you own up to say that it was an “honest mistake.”
The driver asks whether he was pulled over because he is Black, an accusation that you
immediately deny. You tell him not to “pull the race card.” He replies, “I just feel what you
did was totally wrong.”
How should you respond to these accusations of racial profiling?
[The screen displays a white police officer working his shift stopping a Black man in an
approaching vehicle]
Screen 5: (Knowledge Check)
• Instruction Text: Select the correct option then select the submit button.
• How should you respond to these accusations of racial profiling?
Option 1. Get into an argument to prove that you are correct.
Option 2. Call your supervisor and threaten the driver.
Option 3. Stay calm and respectful. Apologize again for the mistake.
Correct Answer: Option 3. Stay calm and respectful. Apologize again for the mistake.
Screen 6: (Sentencing)
• Weigh penalties where racial bias may have influenced prior rulings
Robert, a Black man, is charged with the robbery, rape, and murder of a white woman.
Prosecutors made derogatory comments about Black people and struck all prospective
Black jurors. As a jury member, you know this all-white jury will apply a presumption of
guilt rather than a presumption that the defendant is innocent. They are more likely to
view Black defendants as cold-hearted, remorseless, and dangerous.
You know that the jury is biased, and this will influence the ruling. What should you do to
help Robert get justice without any discrimination?
[The screen displays a jury in a courtroom]
Screen 7: (Knowledge Check)
• Instruction Text: Select the correct option then select the submit button.
• What should you do to help Robert get justice without any discrimination?
Option 1. You should question the prosecutors to include Black jurors for an
unbiased and fair decision.
Option 2. Jurors are selected and you cannot do much.
Option 3. You believe the charges against Robert are justified.
Correct Answer: Option 1. You should question the prosecutors to include Black jurors
for an unbiased and fair decision.
Screen 8: (Incarceration)
• Allocate resources in a facility with documented racial disparities
You are a corrections officer in charge of the local city jail. After taking charge, you
realize people of color are disproportionally represented in U.S. jails.
These inmates are suffering and isolated. They receive poor medical care, lack heating
and air conditioning, and are subject to overcrowding, exposure to violence and sexual
assault. There are also restrictions on communication with friends and family. Should
you initiate any steps toward resolving these issues?
[The screen displays a Black man in a guarded prison]
Screen 9: (Knowledge Check)
• Instruction Text: Select the correct option then select the submit button.
• Should you initiate any steps toward resolving these issues?
Option 1. No, you cannot do much to improve the situation.
Option 2. Yes, as a Corrections Officer, you must ensure the equal and fair
treatment of all the inmates.
Option 3. No, you may get transferred to another city jail soon.
Correct Answer: Option 2. Yes, as a Corrections Officer, you must ensure the equal
and fair treatment of all the inmates.
Screen 10: (Summary)
• Racial discrimination in the criminal justice profession remains a critical issue,
influencing public trust and the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies. Ethical decision-
making demands fairness, impartiality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of race
or ethnicity.
Screen 11
You have completed this activity. Select the RESTART button to revisit this activity.
[The screen displays the logo of The University of Arizona Global Campus]
In your paper,
- Identify one aspect of racial discrimination in criminal justice as discussed in the interactive.
- Create a Policy Proposal. The proposal should include the following:
- Problem Statement: A summary of any one issue discussed in the interactive.
- Proposed Solution: An actionable policy or strategy to address the identified racial disparity.
- Ethical Justification: A rationale for how the solution promotes fairness and equity.
- Address the following questions in the proposal:
- What did you learn about the complexities of addressing racial discrimination in criminal justice?
- How did the interactive scenario for the selected aspect of racial discrimination reinforce your perceptions of ethical decision-making?
- What steps can criminal justice professionals take to prevent systemic racial bias from impacting their decisions?
The Significance and Application in Criminal Justice Policy Proposal paper
- must be 1 to 2 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) a
