Criminology Personal Statement

My desire for a career in law enforcement started while pursuing my undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida. As a freshman biology major with hopes of becoming a Radiologist, it did not take me long to realize the medical field was not for me. Peers in my classes had a passion and interest for the material that I did not possess. My grades poorly reflected the type of student I was. Realizing it was time for a change, at the end of my sophomore year I started seeking guidance. Unbeknownst to me, my disinterest in the curriculum was a major contribution to my poor performance. I completed career assessments and sat with academic counselors in several different areas of study. I was feeling more confused than ever because Criminal Justice courses often sparked my interest, but I hesitated due to the dangerous nature of police work.

Before the days when I had a confident mind about what I wanted to achieve in life in order to fulfill lifelong goals, committing to a career in service to criminal justice and law had always intrigued me as a way to earn a living. In high school there was an extracurricular Criminal Justice class that I remember having a profound impact on my life. The lessons of how the structure of the system worked as well as the importance of an honest and honorable way to earn a living played to a keen and personal interest I had in the field. At the time it was a very new post-9/11 world, and departments such as Homeland Security and other federal sectors of government were on my radar as possible outlets for a potential career. The outset of my young,

Criminology is the definition of our crime today, it defines many aspects and elements that challenge our common sense understanding of crime. The term ‘Criminology’ was first introduced into the English language in Garland 1988 by a criminologist Havelock Ellis (jones, 2013, pp. 2-3). However criminology was present in the 1860’s as Henry Maudsley a medic that worked in the prison systems to study insane and feeble - minded criminals (jones, 2013, pp. 2.) Criminology gives an understanding to those that seek justice although some victims may prevent crime or encourage it to gain the same significance. The reasoning of crime has changed considerably over the past 40 years, some say it was the change of the criminal justice system abolishing Capital punishment in 1965, or just the development in different legislations. Making punishment more psychological rather than physical punishment may have increased the velocity of the crime rate today as some may argue it is less harsh. Criminology is one to justify these changes to prevent criminal offences. Criminology is enforced to understand and analyse the extent of offences and how legislation is formed and put into practice. Development in crime in our

Over the past two years I have continuously studied and worked within the criminal justice field. My studies from Vincennes University varied within the field of criminal justice and at times pertained to corrections. Working as a Campus Safety Officer gave me experience with a variety of people and personalities. During my time as a Campus Safety Officer I was educated on defensive tactics, pepper ball training, hand-to-hand combat, OC pepper spray, and Monadnock expandable baton training. I have excellent communication skills and am able to keep calm during stressful situations.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to study Criminology, the idea of gaining a deeper understanding of crimes, the causes and the impact that this has on society is truly fascinating. I’ve always been curious about the way the mind works. Personally, I am most excited about looking at the different aspects of criminal behaviour and how the legal system differs depending on these differences.

My interest in criminal justice goes back to when I was child. Growing up in the South Bronx seeing my people getting arrested for petty or serious crime, not only inspire me to help my community but to help make the criminal justice system better for everyone. I know that John Jay College will be the school to enhance my knowledge in justice and crime. I remember taking SAT pre classes in John Jay College when I was I high school. Looking at the classroom seeing the professor engage with the students and the diversity in the student body helped md understand that this is the environment I want to be a part of.

I am a criminal justice and sociology student as well as a mathematics student. I am passionate about Criminal Justice since my dream is to become a police officer. I was born in California but was raised in Chicago. Since a young age, I always wanted to become a police officer. I grew up in a single-parent household with my mom.

As a recent graduate of National American University with a degree in Criminal Justice, my academic studies have all focused on Criminal Law, US Corrections, US Courts, Constitutional Law, Victomology, Criminological Theory Professionalism & Ethics in Criminal Justice. I was very excited to see your posting for a Parole Office I (Req. No: 182895), as advertised in the Kansas State Employment Center page.

Choosing a major to study and further my education into college was a simple choice to make. Ever since I was younger, I knew working for the government was for me. I grew up watching crime shows such as First 48, Prison Break, How to get Away With Murder, and more. I loved reading non-fiction novels like My Bloody Life, One Last Chance in Texas, etc. My heart was set on this field when I found out it was possible to stop crimes not only on T.V. but in the real world.

The criminal justice system is tasked with the duality of balancing individual rights and public safety. The objectives of the criminal justice system include protection, justice, and a social responsibility. Past experiences have an impact upon the paths that are taken in life. Often, people search for meaning in life or for a calling. The majority of people have had an event prompt their calling in life (Loehlein, McKenna, Robie, Austin, & Ecker, 2015, p. 20).

I have been taking critical fundamental classes towards earning my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice for four years now. During this time I have learned a great deal about criminal justice; based on the scientific study of crime by focusing on its history, causes and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crime, criminals, and the victim of theses crimes. Inside of the justice system I also have gotten acquainted with the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior by analyzing the general principles of criminal liability. Similarly, with examining American courts decisions to interpret the ruling and doctrines. Together with, many other informative courses such as, theories of crime

When I started high school, I hadn't the slightest clue of what I wanted to study in university. It wasn't until eleventh grade that I found my deep interest in the field of criminal justice, through a criminal behaviour unit within my psychology and sociology class. I began watching documentaries revolving around high profile crime investigations, and I decided I wanted to study this all the time. I wanted to learn about cases, how evidence is recovered, how criminals are put behind bars and the aftershocks of their crimes. I want to go into the field of justice to make the world better, and safer.

Criminology first appealed to me during a mental health lecture. My tutor at the time was discussing the statistics of UK prisoners with a mental health condition. I found myself deeply saddened but also curious as to what I could do to help. I found myself wanting to know more. Does their mental illness cause them to commit crime?

White R & Haines F, Crime and Criminology: An Introduction, 2nd ed, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2000.

Figuring out why people commit crimes is one of the central concerns of criminology. Do most criminals act rationally after weighing the costs of crime? Is society ever to blame for an individual to commit a crime? Do mental diseases or even genetics factor into whether a person will live a life of crime. Over the years, many people have developed theories to try to answer these questions. In fact, the number of theories of why people commit crimes sometimes seems to equal the number of criminologists. I explore these questions and much more in the paper that follow.