Running head: DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 1

Developing Law Enforcement and Public Safety Knowledge and Skills for the 21st Century
Joaquin Gurrola
LEPSL 599: Integrative Capstone
University of San Diego: Professional & Continuing Education.
Running head: DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 2

Law enforcement leaders currently deal with many of today’s social issues and crime

challenges with effective communication and engagement strategies. However, as leaders we

must also attempt to forecast social, economic, and political challenges which may impact the

effectiveness of law enforcement. California is currently plagued with a population of mental

health challenges, as well as displacement of offenders from early prison release programs.

Furthermore, with many technological advances in tackling crime, there holds some legal

challenges that can anchor law enforcement agencies from being one step ahead. Regardless, law

enforcement must be prepared with the assistance of government and community leaders to

combat the challenges officers face which are prone to test us in the future. There is no doubt

that every aspect of society needs to do better, but the ultimate burden of resolving challenges

rest on the shoulders of front-line officers on the street.

Since my start in law enforcement 17 years ago, we can all agree that society and technology

has created an abundance of challenges for law enforcement in a short span of time. The biggest

test I have seen on law enforcement has been the increase of prison offenders re-entering

communities without effective guidance strategies and mental health services. In my first paper,

The Correctional Challenge, I discuss how many political amendments to lessening criminal

offenses and reducing prison populations have created and wealth of problems for local

communities and governments. My second paper, Drone Integration reflects on a critique of

implementing the use of unmanned vehicles to assist officers in preventing and solving criminal

encounters. Lastly my third paper on Super-Body Worn Cameras, is hypothetical memo to my

chief which discusses legal and privacy concerns of a super-body-worn computer and its

constitutional challenges.
Running head: DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 3

In my first paper, I highlight in depth an increasing challenge of early prison release programs

in California. If early prison releases continue at its current pace, it could mold the justice system

into an ineffective model for years to come. Deinstitutionalization of hospitals have also

challenged local leaders and communities which have resulted in county jails and prisons

transforming into the largest mental health institutions. If the problem of not resolving re-

integration of prisoners back to the community is not remedied, crime and homelessness will

continue to increase and will continually challenge the safety of citizens and peace officers.

The increase use of drones in military operations has proved its effectiveness on the

battlefield. However, the increase implementation of Drone Integration in the county has

amplified its awareness of effectiveness and privacy usage. Drone / UAV technology is the way

of future policing and can be a valuable tool to investigate ongoing criminal activity and can save

lives. But it also must be weighed with the privacy concerns of our citizens. As leaders, we must

adapt to use state of the art equipment to combat crimes but also weigh the moral and ethical

challenges which modernize equipment may produce.

Lastly, my third paper on Super-Body Worn Cameras, is a theoretical scenario where I am

raising concerns regarding the use of a “super computer” affixed to the body of an officer. This

document raises some pragmatic privacy concerns which could face law enforcement leaders in

the future. Constitutional law has measured the use of future technology and the legal uses for it.

Law enforcement leaders must be able to interpret case law to abided by constitutional

interpretations by not violating fourth amendment provisions.

As leaders in law enforcement continually adapt to the ever-changing social climate of today

and tomorrow, it is important as leaders to think ahead to meet the future challenges to be better

trained and organized to meet those encounters with ease.