Dean John Champion states that every profession in today’s society possesses a “Mission Statement” which acts as the primary motivator for organizations. Mission statements, according to him, are objectives and orientation statements employed by organizations to convey their purposes and responsibilities. Furthermore, they offer direction and motivation to employees.
The mission statements of three organizations in the field of criminal justice, namely the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the Foundation for Criminal Justice National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of Crime, will be examined in this paper.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. Their mission is to bring organizations and principal members involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances for illicit traffic to justice. Additionally, they aim to reduce the availability of illicit controlled substances through non-enforcement programs. The DEA carries out various tasks such as investigating, preparing, and prosecuting major violators of controlled substance laws at interstate and international levels. They focus on criminals or drug offenders who may manufacture, distribute, and dispense legally produced controlled substances within local, state, and federal jurisdictions.
The main objective of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is to prioritize public safety, encourage positive change in offender behavior, aid in reintegrating offenders into society, and assist victims. Their primary focus is on ensuring the safety of the Texan public.
Similarly, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) aims to uphold and promote the fundamental values guaranteed by the Constitution within America’s justice system. These values include due process, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, fair sentencing, and access to effective counsel.
In support of these objectives, the Foundation for the Criminal Justice System supports NACDL’s efforts. Personally, I align more closely with this foundation’s mission statement compared to the other two organizations mentioned.
The mission statement serves as the foundation for all individuals in the criminal justice system to aspire to and imitate. Similar to how the Marine Corps teaches its members the same values, each individual may interpret them differently, but we all understand their significance and what they symbolize, regardless of the reader. This is because each person in the criminal justice system specializes in a specific area to guarantee its maximum enforcement.
The Apple Corporation has a distinct mission statement that sets it apart from the criminal justice field. While both have goals and aspirations, Apple’s mission is centered on providing the best personal computing experience to diverse groups such as students, educators, creative professionals, and consumers worldwide. They achieve this through their innovative hardware, software, and internet offerings. Unlike enforcing laws for protection, Apple’s entire mission revolves around ensuring customer satisfaction.
Personally, I believe that a mission statement doesn’t necessarily have to be publicly displayed or strictly followed in order for a task to be completed. It can simply involve having the determination and drive to achieve something. For instance, back in January 1998, I experienced a car accident which led to me being hospitalized for two months. After my recovery, I had to undergo knee surgeries and also suffered from a lacerated liver. The orthopedic surgeon who treated me advised that it was best for me to leave the Marine Corps since he believed that I would never be able to run more than three miles. Taking his advice into consideration, I made the decision to resign.
Despite facing physical challenges, I remained determined to become a Marine. Through rehabilitation training in the gym, my goal was to run over three miles. Once achieving this milestone, I decided to re-enlist after six months of recovery. Contacting the recruiter and expressing my desire to return to service, I completed the necessary steps including the Physical test and successfully passed. Proudly swearing in once more a month later, I reenlisted in my beloved Corps. Progressing through ranks over fifteen years, today I hold the position of Gunnery Sergeant. Not only can I run more than three miles but also completed four Marathons.
When considering motivation to complete a particular task, it doesn’t have to come from a published work. It can also arise from personal beliefs or commitments. Here are some references you can explore:
