Riverland Community College

This course addresses the Criminal Justice Process, Constitutional and Criminal Law for Peace Officers, the Criminal Justice System, Civil Law, Civil Liability and Civil Process, and Juvenile Law and Procedure. Students gain a general knowledge and background of the history and development of the criminal justice system and the various theories, concepts, and resources used and currently utilized in this field. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course involves a 90 hour on-site experience in a professional criminal justice/corrections/law enforcement/government agency or other non-profit organization.  Students participate in progress meetings to process experiences in the professional environment.  Prerequisites:  Enrollment in the Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement program.

(2Cr – 0 lect, 2 lab)

This course involves a 90 hour on-site experience in a professional criminal justice/corrections/law enforcement/government agency or other non-profit organization. Students participate in progress meetings to process experiences in the professional environment. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement program and must have completed CRJU 1104, Criminal Justice Field Experience I. (3 Cr - 0 lect, 3 lab)

This is an introductory course for the basic fundamentals of crime scene and post-crime investigation. Students analyze methods of handling the crime scene, use detection and identification equipment, and prepare the case for prosecution. The second portion of this course examines interview and interrogation techniques utilized by peace officers. Students differentiate between interviews and interrogations. Students perform simulated interrogations to demonstrate understanding of the interrogation process. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota Police Officer Selection Test (P.O.S.T.) licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. Prerequisite: Students must be enrolled in the Peace Officer or Criminal Justice program or obtain instructor approval prior to registering for this course. (3 Cr – 2 lect, 1 lab)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the importance of being able to identify persons in crisis, including themselves. Students will learn about stress and its effects, how to manage stress, and the importance of being physically fit. Students will also learn verbal de-escalation skills as well as some mediation skills. They will learn of support services available to them and the communities in which they work. This course will also provide students with an in-depth and comprehensive discussion of ethics, ethical behavior and discretion afforded Peace Officer and Criminal Justice professionals. It will also discuss the importance of building Community Relations. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. (2 Cr – 2 lect, 0 lab)

This course focuses on victims themselves.  Most courses in criminology focus on the offenders and various criminal offenses, with only cursory examination of their victims.  The term “victimology” generically refers to the study of victims—patterns, characteristics, and the various types of harm victims incur.  The role of victims in the criminal justice system throughout history, the nature and extent of crime victimization, and victim characteristics will be studied. Also covered are the various types of costs experienced by victims, as well as the various legal rights of the victims.  The myths of victim perception and various efforts to blame victims for their own victimization, as well as other factors that influence victimization (e.g., drugs and alcohol and the mass media) are included.  Specific types of victims (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide) and their treatment in the criminal justice system will be discussed.

(3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab) 

This course addresses the history of community-based corrections, pretrial release and diversion, restorative justice, treatment perspectives, assessment and risk prediction, management and case planning, along with parole, reentry and problematic offenders. Students gain a general knowledge and background of the history and development of the community-based corrections and the various theories, concepts, and resources used and currently utilized in this field. (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces the student to the corrections field in the United States. Students examine the corrections systems used in Minnesota and other states. Community corrections as well as other correctional systems are explored. Various correctional treatment methods and sentencing alternatives are examined. The county jail, state, and federal prison systems are discussed with a focus on the functions of the institutions. Levels of security for inmates within various institutions are explored. Probation and parole functions are introduced with an exploration of the various levels of service offered. Field trips to various correctional facilities (both adult and juvenile) may be incorporated into this class. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces concepts, theories, and statutes associated with juvenile offenders with specific treatment method and modalities as applied to this offender group. Students are introduced to the various correctional facilities, programs, and professional interventions available to youth offenders. Specific differences among delinquent offenders and various types of juvenile statutes are presented along with the dispositional alternatives available ranging from Diversion through Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ) and Certification. Several landmark legal cases involving juvenile matters are presented. The Minnesota Juvenile Code and Court Procedure are examined. In addition to traditional educational experiences, students have opportunities to attend and participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or other relevant training sponsored by various associations and organizations within the criminal justice system. These experiences provide avenues for possible future employment in Juvenile Corrections. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. (3 Cr ? 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course focuses on communicating more effectively in personal, social, and professional environments and examining the practical and theoretical aspects of human communication. The course also addresses such topics as self-esteem, listening, effective language, nonverbal communication, perception, disclosure, conflict and cultural communication. Human diversity issues and cultural/intercultural factors and how they affect human communication are examined. Students will also reflect on the role interpersonal process plays in relationships and reflect on individual strengths and weaknesses with regard to personal interpersonal communication.

• MnTC (Goals 1/CM 7A/HD);
• (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces students to the writing of clear, factual peace officer reports. Wellwritten reports are emphasized and relevant to investigating and prosecuting criminal cases. Students are required to take thorough field notes and transfer information to the appropriate paperwork. Successful completion of this course prepares students for the Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing exam. This course includes criteria required by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, and Learning Objectives for Professional Peace Officer Education. Prerequisites: ENGL 1101 or instructor approval. (2 Cr – 2 lect, 0 lab)

This beginning-level course addresses the need for law enforcement officers to speak Spanish in order to perform their duties more effectively.   As a two-credit class, the goal is learn two-and three-word phrases and questions involving vocabulary specific to what would be useful and important for law enforcement officers to know how to say and understand when Spanish-speakers are involved.  This is important not only to communicate information, but also to set the tone of the given situation as one incorporating respect, professionalism, increased safety and reassurance to people involved in crisis situations.  Coursework will involve an introduction to and practice with vocabulary specific to real-life situations in the law enforcement profession. Emphasis will be placed on active participation and role-playing. Previous knowledge of the Spanish language is helpful but not required.

      (2 Cr – 2 lect, 0 lab)