The Criminal Justice Sector - Essay Example

Reflective Account on the Competencies Required To Work in the Criminal Justice Sector The criminal justice sector has myriad and diverse occupational opportunities. It comprises of a system of practices, as well as institutions affiliated with the government. The major objective of this sector is to uphold social control, mitigate criminal activities and deter the same from repeatedly happening in the society. One of the occupational roles that exist in the criminal justice sector is the criminal intelligence analyst role (Andrews & Peterson 2000). The criminal intelligence analysis role is one of the roles that facilitates prediction and prevention of crimes. In addition, it also incorporates joint monitoring of the ongoing criminal activities. This activity involves gathering of vital information via surveillance, communication records and other sources of evidence. The next responsibility is to ensure that this information gets evaluated, and verification gets conducted upon the level of accuracy. Most essentially, the information that acquired undergoes analysis after which the analyst provides it to a law enforcement officer (Andrews & Peterson 2000). The information, if gathered professionally, is sufficient to facilitate successful prosecution. Accordingly, intelligent analysts ought to show ample capability to establish the relationship amongst plethora of information under analysis. Concurrently, one ought to show absolute comprehension of the criminal mind in a bid to establish connections between criminal suspects. This calls for a portfolio of logical, investigative and criminology skills for one to effectively carry out this role (Andrews & Peterson 2000). The service of a criminal intelligence analyst remains paramount in various cases. For instance, it is both necessary and sufficient when a case of terrorism, mass destruction, and other cleverly organized crimes surface within the society. There are a number of competencies affiliated with this role. Thus, for one to serve effectively as a criminal analyst, the possession of these competencies is essential. First, a sufficient criminal intelligence analyst should portray ability to perform strategic, tactical, as well as, spatial analysis (Andrews & Peterson 2000). In addition, one should carry out substantial research regarding the criminal matters at hand. Precisely, one ought to have the skills of performing investigations on a public or disguised position. Thirdly, one should stand a position of using and understanding analytic software such as mapping software. It is not feasible for a criminal intelligence analyst to exhibit his or her qualities without having ample knowledge about the tools of work. These tools and basic skills possessed by a criminal intelligence analyst enables him or she to perform accurate analysis and present comprehensive reports to law enforcers. A criminal intelligence analyst should be aware of the policies, regulations and operations of designated justice agencies. It becomes hard for anyone who lacks these qualities to perform desirable in the role. This role demands that one should easily evaluate the thinking of and level of insights with reference to the kind of case that gets presented pending resolution. Accordingly, the criminal intelligence analysts should possess the ability first to identify, relate and interpret data, as well as, data sources (Andrews & Peterson 2000). Further, the analyst should have the skills to generate a number of axioms and inferences about a criminal issue. These skills and abilities are collectively used to ensure that reliable results get acquired. Absence of any of these skills depicts that one does not qualify to act as a criminal intelligence analyst. Finally, experience related kinds of services are paramount for anyone who purposes to deliver precise results to law enforcers. This gets clearly stipulated in the ethics or code conducts. Criminal intelligence analysis is an important element of effective policing and administering of timely justice. The complex nature of the task carried out by the intelligence analysis demand that they should easily perform research. Thus, the personnel in charge of this task cannot resolve it not unless the necessary intelligence gets used. For instance, the role of the criminal intelligence analyst is to gather information and analyse it professionally. The aim of performing the analysis is to provide reliable information to the law enforcers. First, the use of technological methods of analysis and equipment of analysis is essential (Andrews & Peterson 2000). Accordingly, the ability to use analytic software leads to sufficient operations within any given criminology justice sector. For example, a criminal intelligence analyst can serve in the National Crime Agency. Therefore, the objectives of this agency are to ensure that all criminals get depleted from the society. Hence, the agency requires the service of a qualified intelligence analyst. The first role that this analyst has to perform is gathering information. The skill of researching and gathering useful information is just but the first step towards achieving its goals. The information collected need to undergo synthesis and analysis. Thus, the skill to analyse information and retrieve appropriate hypothesis and inferences is important (Andrews & Peterson 2000). The National Crime Agency aims at forwarding substantial information to the judicial system of the state regarding already investigated crimes. Feasible prosecutions of the criminal element within the society offers the agency a relief. The agencys duty is to ensure that the offending entities and individuals get erased from the society. Therefore, ample and reliable skills of the criminal intelligence analyst suffice the expectations. The skills affiliated with criminal intelligence analysis role in the criminal justice sector may seem easy to acquire. However, the sufficient truth is that a number of steps have to get undertaken to acquire them. The first step involves engagement in a theoretical class. A theoretical class offers information regarding general intelligence and the history of superb intelligence servicemen in the past. The next step is ensuring engagement in proper practical experiences that directly refer to the intensive intelligence practices. For instance, the classes ought to provide a reliable basis of information of what criminal intelligence analysis entails. This will facilitate fathoming of appropriate and ethical policies, rules and regulations related to criminal intelligence analysts and his responsibilities (Andrews & Peterson 2000). All these can get done while still in school. In addition, it is almost impossible for a fresh graduate to acquire employment in this sector without experience. Therefore, participation in practical sessions is very essential to the development of the career. For instance, there are numerous agencies and organizations that offer training opportunities. This is one of the options that can assist in developing and nurturing the career from a professional platform. Most of the people that have secure and permanent jobs in these agencies are ready to offer practice and professional assistance to trainees. Hence, they act as learning platforms. For example, there are suitable agencies and organizations such as security services, independent police complaint commissions, and the National crime agency can offer this kind of training. Most organizations or agencies demand that recruits or applicants ought to have ample work experience. Hence, volunteer services or internships with this organization will facilitate the development of the career. Bibliography Andrews, P. P., & Peterson, M. B. (Eds.). 1990, Criminal intelligence analysis. Loomis, CA: Palmer Enterprises. Read More