Hi, my name is Christopher Rodelle. I am 19 years old and currently enrolled in the BCC’s criminal justice program. I chose to speak on the three essays that best reflect my interest in this area of study. The best essays that best reflect this theme are my argumentative essay, my ethnography and my memoir. I have had an interest in law enforcement since middle school and  would often watch documentaries on law enforcement and the criminal justice system. From there I decided to pursue an education with a major in criminal justice.

In my argumentative essay I talk about the importance of surveillance cameras in Chicago. Where this is a sensitive topic for many that want to preserve their full privacy, not having extensive use of surveillance cameras reduces the effectiveness of law enforcement and crime prevention. When used responsibly by trained ethical professionals, surveillance cameras are a critical tool to protect the community and citizens.

In my ethnography, I interviewed a personal relationship of my mine which is also a State Police officer. This interview provided me with a deeper understanding of the job and the training that goes into becoming a State Trooper. While policing in general is similar, there are a few key differences of a State Trooper compared to that of a town officer. For instance, many new officers will be transferred through out the state during their first years in their new position. Jurisdiction is another area of distinction as State Troopers are not limited to town or county limits. The one thing that remains the same is the impact of crime.

In my memoir I recounted my encounter with State Troopers during my accident. Where Route 6 is a State highway it falls into the jurisdiction of State Troopers. The two State officers that responded to the call were highly professional and I appreciate their concern for my safety, This experience, while awkward, inspired my interest in law enforcement further.

In conclusion, I hope you enjoyed my sharing of all three reviews as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you and the possibility of peeking your interest in this exciting field.

A fourteen year old boy and a group of gang members, in which they have mistook him as a rival gang member. In this case this incident shows that surveillance cameras are very important. The fourteen year old boy that was shot and killed, was later identified as Roberto Duran. According to his family, friends and neighbors he was very loved by the community. Salvador Duran, which is Roberto’s father, said that “his son was loved by a lot of people and that his life is torn up”. He was a very good student in school, very active and was very involved in computers and soccer. The shooting took place in Chicago, during the summer of 2006. The suspects of the gang, were later caught and put in prison (thanks to the surveillance cameras) that were put there. ‘Camera on Every Corner’: Protection or Invasion? author is (Horng)

Also another of couple really good reasons to have surveillance cameras is, when people commit robberies you can play the surveillance video and it makes it easier to track them down in order to catch them. The other good reason is, when police officers have a dash cam and they pull someone over it always records you. So if the officer or the person pulled over is in the wrong, it will show the true side of the story in court. Also the dash cams give the officers a really good benefit, if you are wanted for drug trafficking, a DUI or a warrant out for your arrest etc., the dash cam will allow them to go back in the video get their license plate number, track you down and get you. For all of these reasons I think having surveillance cameras are a good and an important thing. Surveillance Cameras Win Broad Support -author is (Litzerman)

Many people say that this is a privacy issue, instead of protecting us. These surveillance cameras in fact do protect us to an extent. They protect us by, if an individual is causing any kind of harm to people or the environment, the cameras make it a lot easier to identify them. A really good example of having these surveillance cameras around is, for the tragedies of the Boston and the London marathon bombing; as (Michelle Littman) put in her article. Since these cameras made it possible to identify the individuals that did the bombing, the police had more than enough evidence to arrest them. These are some of the excellent reasons why having surveillance cameras are a good thing. Surveillance cameras are put around to protect you not to invade your privacy. 21st century policing: policy shifts after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner -author is (Harris)

For the surveillance cameras in London, the British have jumped from 1 million to around 5 million. London’s surveillance network, known as the “Ring of Steel,” is said to have aided in the capture of suspects, including those accused of a pair of attempted car bombings in June. London: City Under Surveillance. (Surveillance Cameras). Several U.S. cities are doing just that. New York plans to blanket Manhattan with 3,000 cameras by 2010. Baltimore is expanding its current network of 500 cameras as well. And Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago are looking to fold private sector cameras into their systems. author is (Horng)

My ethnography reflects on my relationships with individuals in law enforcement careers.  I chose the theme of law enforcement because of my interest and account of the many stories shared by police officers.  I now look towards having a career in law enforcement someday and have selected criminal justice as my major.  I have watched a great deal of police movies, documentaries and t.v shows where I am really interested in police work and the criminal justice system.

One of my close friends, his dad is a police officer, so I would have conversation’s with his dad on his line of work.  Also, when I was in high school we had a full time police officer and when I had a break from my class I would try to find a time that we were both available. When we both had the time we would talk about the police force and his experiences.  So I could gain a better understanding of the police culture, I would often ask him questions about policing and life as an officer.  Where my neighbor is also a police officer, I would inquire about his week and experiences on the job.

The good thing about knowing a few police officers, is that they work in different towns.  This allows me to find out how police stations operate in different jurisdictions within my immediate area.  This includes the city of New Bedford and towns of Bridgewater and Lakeville.  Also, a member of my church is a state trooper, so when I want to know more about operating over a broader jurisdiction of Massachusetts I just ask him.

During my interview with the state trooper I learned that he “loves his job”.  He said that he works “great hours” and that you are always busy, their is never a dull moment.  He also had said that “this is the best job that he has ever had” and that their is so much to do.  He had also told me that if you are very interested in the criminal justice system, but, don’t want to become a police officer there is still plenty of other jobs in law enforcement.  For example, you can become a lawyer, corrections officer, work in the court system, become a dispatcher or a negotiator.

My memoirs of driving include a memorable journey to North Dartmouth with some of my good friends.  We started out the day by having lunch at Panera Bread at the Dartmouth Mall.  After lunch we went our own way as I had a doctors appointment and my friends wanted to go bowling.  As we departed, I headed eastbound on Route 6 and overshot my exit and was forced to head further than anticipated.  Where I was unfamiliar with the area, I chose to take the first u turn I found.  I completed the turn successfully and began driving westward.  Unfortunately, I again overshot the exit….again my unfamiliarity with the area and traffic flow.

So, once again I found myself back where I started. I pulled back onto Route 6 and began heading eastward for the second time.  As I approached the exit to bring me to 24 North, my designated Route, I was unable to make the left lane for the turn due to traffic.  So I was forced to overshoot the exit once again and continued westbound on Route 6.

I had decided to make a u-turn at the first break in the road.  I was unaware at the time that it was illegal to make a u turn at  this single lane turn.  This time I was not as successful as my earlier u turn.  As I made the turn my hand slipped from the wheel while I accelerated and I was now on a collision course with the retaining wall across the opposite lane.  I reacted quickly and regained steering to avoid driving directly into the wall, but, had accelerated to the point where a crash was inevitable.  I managed to avoid a full impact into the wall, but, crashed the whole side of my car into the wall and stopped just a couple of inches in front of a telephone pole.

As I was receiving my citation, I witnessed 2 other vehicles making u turns where I had done so.  Unfortunately, or fortunately for them I should say, the officer was facing me and  did not see them.  From my point of view I could also see for the first time that the drivers side looked okay, however, the passenger side was in bad shape and the front bumper and accompanying license were torn away from impact.  Rounding out the damage was a damaged skid plate and bent tire rim on the passenger side.

While the officers on scene were required to call for an ambulance, I did not need any medical care.  This was fortunate, as the ambulance which they had called for drove by the scene and did not return.  Therefore, I was given the okay by the officer in charge to leave the scene.  I proceeded to head home without even a bruise from the incident, although I felt my ego received some minor damage.