Defending Law Enforcement & Restoring Criminal Justice
By: National Police Association
Description
The National Police Association created ‘Defending Law Enforcement & Restoring Criminal Justice‘ (29 chapters, grades 9-12) as a free homeschool elective credit. It is an introduction to the law enforcement environment as it exists today and seeks to help reverse the change in attitude toward the police which has essentially deteriorated to increasing degrees with each new generation.
The Silent Generation (1928-1945) performed national service via the draft. A shared set of values was established by the military experience. Essentially: Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. The more those values are adopted the more likely a person is to seek a career in law enforcement or at least respect law enforcement.
The Baby Boomers (1946-1964). Only boomers born through 1954 were subject to the draft because it ended in 1972. Boomers too young to be drafted typically had family members with military service and were exposed to those values indirectly.
Generation X (1965-1979) Less so.
Generation Y (1980-1994) And less.
Generation Z (1995-2009) And less.
Generation Alpha (2010-2024) And less.
The political climate surrounding policing has become increasingly polarized. Students often find themselves in educational and social environments where anti-police sentiments are prevalent. This peer pressure can influence their attitudes and discourage them from pursuing careers that are perceived as controversial or morally questionable.
Education plays a significant role in shaping students’ career aspirations. Schools and universities are often at the forefront of societal changes and reflect the prevailing attitudes towards various professions. The current educational climate, with its emphasis on social justice and critical examination of institutional power structures, may contribute to a less favorable view of law enforcement careers.
The NPA’s homeschool course adds to the other initiatives pursued by the NPA to assist with the above. It is written from the perspective of someone with military values while exploring the challenges that have resulted from the increasing loss of those shared values.
Subject
- Electives
- Social Studies
Grades
- 9th Grade
- 10th Grade
- 11th Grade
- 12th Grade