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Texas Law Enforcement and the Reid Technique
Get PDFJohn E. Reid and Associates was formed in 1947. Fred Inbau and John E. Reid studied interrogations to take a psychological approach to interrogation, instead of the preceding inconsistent practices utilized by law enforcement at the time (Inbau et al., 2013). In 1962, they published the first of five editions of Criminal Interrogation and Confessions (Inbau et al., 2013). Since that time, the Reid Technique of interview and interrogation is the most frequently trained and utilized interview and interrogation technique for law enforcement in the United States. Since the late 1990s, criticism of the Reid Technique from social scientists, defense attorneys, and false confession experts has caused concern the Reid Technique inherently causes false confessions due to the adversarial nature of the technique. In furtherance of that sentiment, many Reid detractors believe the Reid Technique should be completely abandoned and replaced by non-adversarial interview models like the P.E.A.C.E Model. In reviewing the literature, court holdings, and case studies, the opinions of Reid detractors are seemingly without merit because they mistakenly believe the Reid Technique, itself, causes innocent persons to falsely confess. False confessions occur due to the misapplication and misuse of the Reid Technique. While it is true that training and understanding of adolescent development should be introduced for law enforcement to mitigate the risk of false confession by juveniles, the Reid Technique remains an effective interview and interrogation technique, and law enforcement in Texas and the United States should continue to use it.LEMI
The Need for Financial Wellness Training in Law Enforcement
Get PDFFinancial well-being in the general population of the United States has some concerning aspects. Those working in law enforcement are no different. However, coupled with the various adverse characteristics unique to the law enforcement profession, financial wellness and behavior play a significant role in both the workplace and in personal life. This makes the concerns very real and relevant to the law enforcement community and serves as a driver for strategies to address financial wellness. It is for these reasons that financial wellness training should be provided to police cadets in the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC). With this approach, every new police officer in Texas would receive valuable training that could positively impact several aspects of their lives. Financial well-being can be affected by training officers early in their adult lives so they can potentially not be part of a large group of consumers who live paycheck to paycheck. Also, financial struggles lead to issues that affect the workplace. They can be correlated to absenteeism, several types of stress, fatigue, over-reliance on off-duty employment, and negative impacts on performance and behavior. The potential also exists to positively impact the rate of police suicides. Adverse financial situations are considered a part of personal and family factors that contribute to the elevated risk of police officer suicides when compared to the general population. It is also well known that significant personal life struggles impact workplace behavior and performance. Having a positive state of financial well-being can mitigate marriage conflict and potentially impact divorce rates and probabilities. Financial wellness training of both academy cadets and incumbent officers at agencies should be prioritized for these reasons.LEMI
Licensing Standards: Raising the Bar
Get PDFThe process of hiring police officers in the state of Texas is often plagued with inefficiency. Some of the inherent problems in the hiring process are compounded by other law enforcement agencies' lack of disclosure. All too often, when officer misconduct is present, agencies will forgo sharing vital background information or misrepresent officer misconduct to self-protect their agency from possible litigation. The negligent hiring of officers involved in misconduct can pose severe risks to the community (Grunwald & Rappaport, 2019). The duty to protect the public should far exceed individual jurisdictions, as officers involved in misconduct often shuffle between departments. Agencies' failures to disclose complete background information can leave an officer who has been fired or voluntarily resigned due to misconduct with the ability to obtain future employment (Ingber, 1993). Accountability is crucial in this profession, and the need to expand licensing standards will increase agency accountability. Due to the minimal statewide standards, significant gaps in law enforcement regulations exist. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) should expand minimum background investigations for licensing standards to reduce negligent hiring. This topic is essential because a lack of standards and transparency increases the risk of a bad hire. Establishing licensing standards for background investigations is necessary because it creates consistency among law enforcement agencies and requires them to be transparent in divulging applicant background documents, including internal affairs investigations, regardless of litigation statuses, to reduce negligent hiring.LEMI
Oxides of the 1st Row Transition and Group III Metals: Investigating Novel Gas-Phase and Non-Hydrolytic Synthesis Routes, and Possible Bactericidal and Energy Applications
No full textIn this work, chemical and physical synthesis methods were explored to synthesize 1st transition and group III metal oxide nanomaterials for possible energy and biochemical applications. A chemical vapor deposition method was used to synthesize gallium oxide (Ga2O3) nanostructures on Si(100) substrates with a 10 nm gold catalytic seed layer. A monoclinic β-Ga2O3 crystal phase was determined by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) assisted with elemental analysis by confirming presence of gallium. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the morphology and measure the size of the structures. Initial investigations towards adjusting parameters resulted in microstructures of varying morphologies. Further exploration into the effects reaction vessel reuse had on the size and morphology of β-Ga2O3 structures provided insight into a possible variable related to β-Ga2O3 buildup. Reaction vessels that were used less had nanowires 40 to 80 nm in thickness. As reaction vessels were used more, size and morphology changed into microstructures such as clusters, ribbons, and rods up to 2.8 µm in size. Optical properties investigated by photoluminescence spectra displayed blue and green emission peaks suggesting defects relating to gallium and oxygen vacancies and oxygen interstitials, respectively. Varying reaction conditions allowed for the control of the size and structure of these different morphologies which will be useful for exploring possible energy applications such as electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells.
A non-hydrolytic coprecipitation method and a solvothermal method were used in collaboration with ligand exchange to synthesize and functionalize ethyl xanthate-capped magnetite (Fe3O4) and 1-dodecyl xanthate-capped magnetite nanoparticles. The inverse spinel crystal phase was determined using XRD. The particle size was analyzed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) providing insight into possible agglomeration issues with sizes ranging from 30 nm to 160 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to detect the presence of the xanthate capping agents on the surface of the magnetite nanoparticle core with further confirmation from XRF indicating the presence of sulfur and iron. The bactericidal efficacy of the ethyl xanthate-capped magnetite was investigated against eight bacterial species in the Xanthomonas genus using a plate counting method comparing bacterial colony counts of plates exposed to the nanoparticles against a control
From Miss America to Mr. Popo: Exploring Race and Gender Within Nerd-Themed Podcasts
Get PDFThis paper examines public accounts of women and people of color within nerd
fandom podcasts. Current sociological literature provides a symbolic interactionist
framework for analyzing identity and community within nerd fandom. Social
constructionist frameworks provide explanation for gendered social systems and
racialization, both of which are clearly visible within nerd fandom.
This study supplements the literature with direct accounts from marginalized nerds
via podcast episodes recorded within the preceding five years. Content analysis of twelve episodes from three different podcast series outlined key elements of representation: direct representation (e.g., characters of color in media), indirect representation (e.g., queer- or feminine-coded characters in media), and representation behind the scenes (e.g., writing, directing, and/or producing media). These themes provide critical context as to the experiences of marginalized nerds within nerd fandom
Role of Informants' Well-Being in Evaluative Bias: Effects on Informant Reports
Get PDFPersonality assessment often uses information obtained from knowledgeable informants, but data derived from informant report measures are not entirely objective. This begs the question, what factors contribute to evaluative bias on informant report measures of personality? One factor that might bias informant ratings is the informant’s subjective state of well-being. Since informant-ratings are based on the informant’s perception of the individual being rated, scores can be contaminated by information-processing heuristics that allow extraneous factors (e.g., current state of well-being) to influence the informant’s evaluation of the client. Accordingly, the proposed study explored associations between informants’ subjective well-being and evaluative bias on informant report measures of personality using a Social Relations Model approach. Per the Social Relations Model approach, participants joined the study in groups of five or more and completed the study via round-robin design. It was hypothesized that the amount of variance found on informant report measures attributable to perceiver effects would be inversely correlated with informant’s subjective well-being. Results revealed environmental well-being to be significantly associated with evaluative bias in informant ratings of antagonism, with other associations trending toward significance. The clearer understanding of these interactions has the potential to facilitate improved personality assessment in research and clinical practice
Latino Osteopathic Medical Student Audio Series – Edmundo Zorrilla
No full textBridging Horizons: Audio Series on a medical career journey for undergraduate students with Edmundo Zorrilla. There is an undisputable need to increase Hispanic diversity in medical education and healthcare. Discover the inspiring world of medicine through "Bridging Horizons," an audio series designed to empower and guide Hispanic undergraduate students on their path to medical school. Delve into the personal stories and triumphs of Hispanic medical students, giving insights into their cultural perspectives on how to start the journey to becoming a medical professional. This audio series highlights the cultural attributes of medical students and their successful stories from navigating fears and uncertainties to initiating their medical career path up to their school’s admission. "Bridging Horizons" is a platform that celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic individuals in the initial journey to becoming medical professionals. Join us in fostering a supportive community for Hispanic prospective med students, offering practical advice on engagement to break down barriers, bridge cultural gaps, and provide a roadmap for aspiring Hispanic medical professionals. Tune in for a roadmap to success, from undergraduate studies to medical school admission.SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicin
Latino Osteopathic Medical Student Audio Series – Alejandro Perez
No full textBridging Horizons: Audio Series on a medical career journey for undergraduate students with Alejandro Perez There is an undisputable need to increase Hispanic diversity in medical education and healthcare. Discover the inspiring world of medicine through "Bridging Horizons," an audio series designed to empower and guide Hispanic undergraduate students on their path to medical school. Delve into the personal stories and triumphs of Hispanic medical students, giving insights into their cultural perspectives on how to start the journey to becoming a medical professional. This audio series highlights the cultural attributes of medical students and their successful stories from navigating fears and uncertainties to initiating their medical career path up to their school’s admission. "Bridging Horizons" is a platform that celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic individuals in the initial journey to becoming medical professionals. Join us in fostering a supportive community for Hispanic prospective med students, offering practical advice on engagement to break down barriers, bridge cultural gaps, and provide a roadmap for aspiring Hispanic medical professionals. Tune in for a roadmap to success, from undergraduate studies to medical school admission.SHSU College of osteopathic medicin
Law Enforcement Agencies Should Mandate Biannual SFST Training
No full textLaw enforcement agencies need to take standardized field sobriety test (SFST) training refresher courses more seriously. There is a large number of deaths each year due to intoxicated drivers. The SFST refresher courses in the state of Texas are currently a recommended training class for law enforcement officers to attend every few years. Most officers do not attend the training and therefore do not have the confidence that is necessary to properly perform and administer the SFSTs, and properly detect and investigate intoxicated drivers as well as lack the ability to obtain quality evidence for preparing good cases for prosecution. The average officer does not feel confident in their ability to perform the SFSTs and therefore avoid traffic stops involving intoxicated drivers. There are thousands of people killed each year due to intoxicated drivers and hundreds of thousands of people injured each year by intoxicated drivers. For law enforcement to reduce those numbers, law enforcement agencies must provide more frequent training for their officers so they can build the confidence and desire to enforce intoxicated driving laws, thus reducing the number of fatalities each year of motorists killed by drunk drivers. Some agencies may fear the recurring cost of training for their officers, but many SFST refresher courses are provided free of charge in many areas of the state yearly. Many agencies are short-staffed and feel as though they do not have the time to send officers to refresher training, but don’t realize that the training is only a small four-hour block of training. Law enforcement agencies should mandate biannual SFST refresher courses for patrol officers.LEMI
John Buffett's Diary Entries While Visiting Pitcairn
No full textJohn Buffett was the first immigrant to settle among the descendants of HMAV Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian wives on Pitcairn Island in 1823. Originally from England (b. July 16, 1797, d. May 5, 1891), he became the island’s schoolmaster and diarist of the Pitcairn Island Register (Lucas 1929).Environmental & GeosciencesPitcairn Islands Research Statio