NIJ Journal Issue No. 248

• NCJ Number: 190631
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 248 Dated: March 2002 Pages: 1-44
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 44 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

Articles in this journal issue address public trust and confidence in criminal justice, how to identify potential school shooters, protecting children exposed to domestic violence, and solving the problem of tired police on the job.

Abstract

The first article examines why public trust and confidence rates regarding criminal justice are declining just as law enforcement becomes more effective. It addresses the racial divide, current demands for change, and potential solutions. Another article summarizes the interim report of the U.S. Secret Service Safe School Initiative, which focused on characteristics of incidents of targeted violence on school grounds. The report identified precursors to targeted school violence that can help in mounting prevention efforts. The third article discusses how prosecutors have been drawn into the debate over how best to protect children in the context of domestic violence. Attention is given to what prosecutors can do for children who are exposed to domestic violence, with a focus on mandates under new laws in some States that upgrade penalties and/or make separate offenses for domestic violence committed in the presence of a child. The fourth article reports on a study that found fatigue to be a widespread problem among police officers, seriously degrading their health, safety, interpersonal skills, and decision-making. Recommendations are offered for how police agencies can both identify and prevent debilitating fatigue among their officers. In addition to these four main articles, recent research findings are summarized for studies that have focused on distinguishing between crack and powder in urine tests, keeping mentally ill people out of jails, the characteristics of Chinese smuggling organizations, breaking the cycle of drug use and crime, and Compstat and organizational change. 17 Notes