tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25769210132007924262024-03-05T04:44:39.958-08:00LEMITWebmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987981321201683235noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-59515074716389523002017-10-20T09:59:00.000-07:002017-10-17T10:27:00.856-07:00Building Professional Law Enforcement Agencies for Three Decades<div class="feature">
<img alt="30th Anniversary" src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/30thLEMIT2.jpg" /> <br />
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30th Anniversary</h3>
LEMIT is celebrating three decades of service to the law enforcement community in Texas and beyond.</div>
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Thirty years ago, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) was created by the state legislature to provide professional development opportunities to future law enforcement leaders in the Lone Star State.<a name='more'></a>
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In February, the Leadership Command College – LEMIT’s premiere and inaugural program – will graduate its 80th class, adding to more than 1,800 highly qualified law enforcement executives who have participated in the program across the state, country and world. Over the years, LEMIT has grown to offer ongoing professional development and technical assistance to Police Chiefs, Constables, Command Staff and front line officers based on the latest research-based practices. It has expanded its services to other public safety partners, such as federal agents, fire officials, environmental enforcement officers and dispatchers, to name a few.
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“I'm the one who attended LEMI(T), but countless colleagues and subordinates benefited as all I learned was shared and implemented,” said Lt. Victor Rivera (Ret.) from the Midland Police Department, who attended the second class. “The LCC gave me the tools to progress up in ranks and be able to successfully lead different divisions and operations. LEMIT propelled the profession into the 21st century.”
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The history of LEMIT is captured in a new book, Thirty Years of Putting Theory into Practice: The History of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), written by Mitchel Roth, a prominent criminal justice historian at Sam Houston State University, and Rita Watkins, Executive Director of LEMIT.
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The mission of LEMIT, as stated in 1988, was to “develop the analytical, managerial and executive skills of current and future law enforcement.” The courses were dedicated to focus on “future oriented subject matters that will provide successful graduates with the ability to analyze current issues and trends, the ability to identify probable future events, and the ability to define and execute appropriate management practices that will influence those events.”
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In the beginning was the Graduate Management Institute, the pre-cursor to the Leadership Command College, the premiere offering of the institute. The program capitalizes on the strengths of three top colleges in the state – Texas A&M University, Texas Women’s University and Sam Houston State University -- to develop future leaders skilled in management and communication; social, political and government issues; and law enforcement administration. That program has graduated men and women who now lead law enforcement agencies across the state.
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“As I am steadily approaching my 40th year in law enforcement and looking toward retirement, the education from this program will always be remembered as well as those I met and maintained a strong friendship with will never be forgotten,” said Police Chief Jim Nelson of Dumas.
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The institute was named in honor of Texas Representative Bill Blackwood, a staunch supporter of law enforcement who championed the legislation to create the agency. He died of cancer at the age of 56 while still representing his constituents. The agency was molded by Larry Hoover, a longtime criminal justice professor at Sam Houston State University, who helped develop some of the key programs.
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In 1990, LEMIT introduced its Executive Sessions to provide management training for agency heads and command staff. It also launched Special Programs to address the needs of specific segments of law enforcement as well as innovative techniques and concepts that could be implemented quickly. In 1994, LEMIT initiated the Texas Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Program (TELEMASP) to provide police managers with timely information on administrative polices, programs and strategies across the state.
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By 1997, the Legislature mandated biennial training for the state’s 800 police chiefs and turned to LEMIT to provide the programming. In addition to introducing new chiefs to the roles and responsibilities of the top law enforcement executive, this program also provides continuing education on trends and topics in policing. The Major Cities Initiative also was introduced to address issues specific to big city chiefs, and it currently includes 28 cities with populations over 100,000.
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In 1998, executive training was created for the state’s Constables, a unique position that deals with issues of law enforcement and civil process in the state. Later, the Constable’s Leadership College was added to help these professionals develop future leaders in the discipline.
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Over the years, LEMIT has offered its expertise in developing future executives to other fields, including the U.S. Marshals Service and Alcoholic Beverage Commission, as well as dispatchers and environmental enforcement officers. In 2016, it introduced its latest collaborate program, the Fire Executive Management Training, the first such programs of its kind in the country for fire officials.
Many programs have grown out of these fundamental efforts to build the best law enforcement agencies in the country through strong leaders. With few women in leadership in agencies, LEMIT launched Leadership Inventory for Female Executives (LIFE) to help prepare women for top roles in their agencies. The Post Critical Incident Seminar was adopted as a way to help law enforcement officers deal with traumatic incidents they encounter on the job. After 9/11, LEMIT introduced Incident Command and Simulation Training to prepare agencies to deal with acts of terrorism or natural disasters.
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LEMIT’s influence was not limited to Texas. Over the years, it has built relationships with police all across the globe to help improve executive training opportunities or to exchange ideas on how to address an increasingly diverse populations.
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“All of the LEMIT programs I have been to were top notch!” said Police Chief Dan Pennington of Freeport Police department.
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Through its partnerships with Texas universities, LEMIT continues to serve as a warehouse of new ideas and research to improve practices in the field. In addition to sharing the latest research findings, LEMIT has led the state in addressing mandates from the Legislature on such issues as racial profiling, eyewitness identification, and the use of body cameras. Again and again, the Texas Legislature turns to LEMIT to solve some of its most pressing problems.
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As LEMIT enters its fourth decade of service, it is finding new and innovative ways to serve officers. It introduced online classes and bought programs to remote regions of the state. It invites top scholars in the field to help put research into practice. It continues to lead the nation in providing professional development in public safety.
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“Thank you to every person who has supported the institute,” said Watkins. “I look at our history and say we have had some of the best times, and I say with the future in mind the best is yet to come.”
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-8311111562529925332017-10-19T15:23:00.000-07:002017-11-03T08:05:31.362-07:00LEMIT Launches Lone Star Leadership for Chiefs Nationwide<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/Flags_LEMIT.jpg" alt="police"> <h3>
Lone Star Leadership</h3>
LEMIT is offering its premiere professional development program for Texas Police Chiefs to law enforcement leaders across the country.</div>
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The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is launching a new program, Lone Star Leadership, to offer its outstanding professional development series for police chiefs and command staff to agencies across the country.<a name='more'></a>
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“The occasion to launch LEMIT curriculum onto a national platform with Lone Star Leadership is a dream come true,” said Rita Watkins, executive director of LEMIT. “The vision of our Executive Development team in thinking, planning, developing, and coordinating a program of this caliber speaks to their dedicated service to public safety in Texas and nationally. I’m so proud of our team and this development opportunity. Attendees will walk away with a true Texas experience and essential tools to utilize in their careers.”
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Modeled after the Texas Police Chief Leadership Series, this program is designed to assist top law enforcement managers in developing their leadership skills and recognizing factors that impact the effectiveness of their agencies. This year’s program, which will be held April 30-May 4, 2018 at Sam Houston State University, examines how to build resiliency.
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“Resiliency addresses what we need to do when faced with life’s inevitable difficulties,” says Donna Garcia, Director of Executive Development for LEMIT. “How to bounce back as the leader of a police agency as well as helping those you care about bounce back will help the entire agency become stronger, smarter and with more self-esteem.”
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Among the topics that will be addressed by nationally-known speakers are:<ul>
<li>Discovering why marketing and branding are critical to success</li>
<li>Understanding organizational structure</li>
<li>Protecting and servicing with emotional maturity: Completing the Lumina Spark assessment and taking an in-depth look at your personal profile</li>
<li>Discussing trending issues or best practices from your agency or state</li>
<li>Investigating 360 Community Policing: The Evolution of 21st Century Law Enforcement</li>
<li>Building financial strength in police families</li>
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The topics for professional development programs are developed by focus groups of representatives from small and large agencies across the state, including municipal, university and school district police. The programs represent current issues of importance to law enforcement agencies and reflect some innovative solutions to challenges facing the profession in the 21st Century. The programs stress the importance of evidence-based practices to develop solutions that work.
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Among the speakers for Lone Star Leadership are: <ul>
<li>Lt. Melvin Allick and Lacy Wolf of the Texas Department of Public Safety Fitness and Wellness program discussing a new model to help build resiliency among officers involved in critical incidents or everyday stressors</li>
<li>Professor GM Cox, a former police chief and criminal justice professor, addressing marketing, branding, and recruiting for police agencies</li>
<li>Police Chief Anthony Williams and Chaplain Edward Smith examining changes to community policing</li>
<li>Retired Irving Chief Larry Boyd presenting the importance of understanding organizational culture and how to use it to influence groups or individuals</li>
<li>Nick Daugherty of the Grand Prairie Police Department providing basic financial tools for law enforcement families</li>
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The program will provide an opportunity to network with law enforcement leaders from across the country and share information on initiatives or challenges facing departments in an effort to build better, more resilient departments.
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LEMIT is one of the premiere professional development programs for law enforcement agencies in the country, providing top-notch training for every Texas Police Chief and Constable every two years. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1997, LEMIT is also home to the Leadership Command College, one of the most comprehensive and well-respected programs for up-and-coming law enforcement leaders in the country. In addition to assisting the state with the development on key policies involving racial profiling and eyewitness identification, LEMIT recently expanded its efforts to include other public safety officials, such fire marshals, dispatchers, and environmental enforcement officers.
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LEMIT also is located on the campus of Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice, the top online graduate program for criminal justice in the United States. The CJ College has about 50 faculty members who are the top producers of research in the field and frequently collaborate with LEMIT participants to answer pressing issues in policing.
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The cost of the Lone Star Leadership programm is $1195. For more information, contact Donna Garcia, Director of Exectuve Development at (936) 294-3852 or visit http://www.lemitonline.org/calendar/?mode=view&item=105.
Lyndi Ruesinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15493090081369212301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-86074525455842719142017-10-12T09:18:00.003-07:002017-10-12T14:57:44.158-07:00Police Chiefs Tackle Resiliency in Leadership Series<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/police_chief.jpg" alt="police"> <h3>
Police Chiefs</h3>
The new cycle of the Texas Police Chief Leadership Series examines ways to build resiliency in your agency.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvmvDMl9SNSKQUXVsWTepC_DeG8Vpp58uc_SQkNp1ZwcmwC6uEU5IZJbtd4xNiN7px-h3AlbeT3RrHU1zC2T55ZEhq4l99_CfNfmBoqew-AjfizdFWJKvrNCedsaj-xuhMRC3SI1Ohy8/s320/police_chief2.jpg" width="320" height="213" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>
Police Chiefs from across Texas began the new two-year cycle of training, which includes sessions on recruiting and marketing, community policing, leadership skills, financial planning, and agency resiliency.<a name='more'></a>
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<p>The theme for the biennial Texas Police Chiefs Leadership Series is “Building the Resiliency Advantage: The Capacity to Prepare, Adapt and Recover in 21st Century Policing.” The topics were developed by a focus group representing chiefs from small and large agencies across the state, including municipal, campus and school district police. “Resiliency addresses what we need to do when faced with life’s inevitable difficulties,” says Donna Garcia, Director of Executive Development. “How to bounce back as the leader of a police agency as well as helping those you care about bounce back will help the entire agency become stronger, smarter and with more self-esteem.”
</p><p>At the inaugural presentation, Marcel Brunel investigated leadership through the lens of the Lumina Spark assessment, a self-awareness tool that helps identify and improve communication at home, on the job, and during times of stress. The assessment explored the chief’s natural persona, his or her everyday persona on the job, and his or her overextended persona and helped to predict behaviors during times of stress. These skills help raise awareness around the bright spots and blind spots of an individual’s personality and how to flex correctly during times of crisis. These same assessment and skills can be implemented with officers.
</p><p>Lt. Melvin Allick and Lacy Wolf from the Texas Department of Public Safety Fitness and Wellness Unit introduced chiefs to Strength and Honor in Everyday Lawful Decisions (SHIELD), a model to help build resiliency among officers involved in critical incidents as well as every day stressors. Developed by the military, the program discussed critical incidents and issues that face officers on and off the job and ways to build a foundation to help them bounce back with strategies for the improvement of physical and mental performance.
</p><p>GM Cox, retired Murphy Police Chief and Assistant Professor at Tarleton State University, discussed the need to develop a marketing and branding campaign for police departments as a way to build a relationship with the community and to attract new recruits to the department, particularly those from minority communities and Generations X, Y and Millennials. Law enforcement agencies need to focus on the positive aspects of what they do, emphasize a culture of service, and attract recruits by stressing their ability to make a different in lives of the public.
</p><p>Police Chief Anthony Williams of Cedar Valley College and Police Chaplain Dr. Edward Smith examined the evolution of community policing in the wake of issues that have caused tension between police-public relationships throughout the country. Departments should revisit their programs to determine their effectiveness in the community by identifying police and community behaviors and situations that lead to mistrust and developing strategies to rebuild the bridges and communication between police and communities.
</p><p>Retired Irving Police Chief Larry Boyd discussed the importance of organizational culture, which is the collection of values, beliefs and norms of an entity, and how a leader can help influence group or individual behavior in the organization. To help retain good officers, law enforcement agencies should develop cultures of engagement with a deeply-rooted sense of commitment, pride and loyalty. This can be accomplished in a model that is built on respect, empowerment, supportive feedback, partnerships, expectation, consideration, and trust.
</p><p>Officer Nick Daugherty of the Grand Prairie Police Department provided an overview of financial planning to help law enforcement employees and their families with basic financial tools for budgeting, handling debt, planning estates and building college savings or retirement accounts. The presentation was based on Dave Ramsey 7 Total Money Makeover.
In addition to these sessions, chiefs were provided legislative updates on new laws that may affect their departments and as well as new policies and recommendation from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
</p><p>LEMIT provides professional development for new and existing chiefs and their top commanders statewide, as well as the Texas Major Cities Police Chief Leadership series for special issues affecting major cities. An inaugural program appropriately named Lone Star Leadership, is the same topics of instruction addressed above for law enforcement executive outside the State of Texas. For more information on LEMIT offerings, visit www.lemitonline.org/programs.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-83045757068752174702017-09-28T09:45:00.000-07:002017-10-12T15:00:04.197-07:00Creating a Lifelong Culture of Safety for Law Enforcement<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/below100.jpg" alt="below 100"> <h3>
Below 100</h3>
LEMIT is hosting a national symposium on the best practices to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries among law enforcement officers.</div>
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The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is proud to announce it will be hosting a national symposium on best practices to prevent line-of-duty law enforcement deaths.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>This session, sponsored in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Dell Rugged, will offer a dynamic presentation from renowned risk management expert Gordon Graham. Additionally, participants will hear from award-winning agency administrators such as Burlington, NC Police Chief Jeff Smythe, Hillsborough, NC Police Chief Duane Hampton, and Snohomish County, WA Undersheriff Rob Beidler, all of whom have been recognized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation for their outstanding safety programs based on Below 100 principles.
</p><p>The mission of Below 100: Eliminate preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries through common-sense training and awareness. The Below 100 Initiative consists of five core tenets:<ul>
<li>Wear your seatbelt</li>
<li>Wear your vest</li>
<li>Watch your speed</li>
<li>WIN: What’s Important Now?</li>
<li>Remember: Complacency kills! </li></ul>
</p><p>The symposium, <strong>Implementing a Culture of Common Sense Officer Safety: Best Practices and Lessons Learned</strong> will afford attendees the ability to network with agencies from across the country and share innovative and powerful ways to drive down line-of-duty deaths, reduce injury and lessen liability.
</p><p>“This is an outstanding opportunity for command-level personnel to learn how they can effectively establish a lasting culture of safety,” said Below 100 Executive Director Dale Stockton. “Below 100 is a powerful tool and the lessons that will be shared at this symposium will definitely save lives.”
</p><p>The program takes place Nov. 8-9, 2017 at Sam Houston State University – The Woodlands Center and is open to law enforcement professionals across the country who serve in an administrative, command level, or training coordinators capacity and who are passionate about officer safety. The cost of the program is $99 (lunch provided).
</p><p>Following the presentations, participants will participate in a workshop led by John Bostain, co-owner of Command Presence, Below 100 Core Trainer and 2011 trainer of the year. The workshop is designed to result in an action plan to minimize preventable losses and address hazards in your agency.
</p><p>To register for the program, visit <a href="http://www.lemitonline.org/calendar/index.php?mode=view&item=93">http://www.lemitonline.org/calendar/index.php?mode=view&item=93</a> For more information about the symposium, contact Yvette Shorten at wys001@shsu.edu or James Senegal at jks032@shsu.edu.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-89592692971426508772017-08-15T08:20:00.000-07:002017-10-06T08:59:07.707-07:00LEMIT Offers Training on Investigating Campus Crimes<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/campus2.jpg" alt="bullet"> <h3>
Campus Crimes</h3>
LEMIT offers training on Oct 2-3 on investigating sex crimes, domestic violence and cyberbullying on public school and college campuses.</div>
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<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLaNJKbtVOmoRziPKUl-SeTYnRYlV6yixGdYNcUMbGFqR45JkxcufOfd5kUT2PIwGmCxvJvYDbU6JSE9uHM7Q6xJC680fZ6xyay6J0brgASx-rAxbdnVEo7GsMqfHrs91nY-iyRA-atE/s1600/campus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLaNJKbtVOmoRziPKUl-SeTYnRYlV6yixGdYNcUMbGFqR45JkxcufOfd5kUT2PIwGmCxvJvYDbU6JSE9uHM7Q6xJC680fZ6xyay6J0brgASx-rAxbdnVEo7GsMqfHrs91nY-iyRA-atE/s320/campus.jpg" width="320" height="213" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>With the academic year gearing up for schools and campuses across the state, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas is offering a course on investigating violent crime in educational settings.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>The two-day program, which will be held Oct. 2-3 at Sam Houston State University – The Woodlands Campus, will address violence crimes on campus, such as sexual assault, sex crimes, family violence, and cyberbullying, and provide tips on investigative techniques, evidence collection, report writing and interviewing techniques. The session is designed for law enforcement agencies, public school, university and college campus police. The fee for the course is $125.
</P><p>“Now that we are seeing the gentrification of cities and the growth of social media, we are going to see more of an overlap of these crimes on campus,” said Det. Darcus Shorten of the Houston Homicide Division, Cold Case Squad. “We need to bring awareness to proper investigation of these cases.”
</p><p>As a member of the Homicide Division since 1996, Det. Shorten’s first assignment was in the Family Violence Unit before she was accepted into the Murder Squad. She also spent five years in the Homicide Sex Crimes Unit. She plans to bring in a guest speaker to discuss cyberbullying, a serious crime plaguing campuses across the country. Det. Shorten will share techniques and lessons she has learned in investigating these cases.
</p><p>The course will examine the history of sexual assault and the different types of crimes that may occur, including aggravated sexual assault, indecent exposure, improper videos and photos, and Peeping Toms. She also will guide participants in recognizing the signs of sex crimes and how to conduct forensic interviews with victims to avoid interrogations.
</p><p>Det. Shorten will focus on processing crime scenes and collecting evidence. She will stress the importance of chain of custody to help preserve the case from crime scene through prosecution. She also will discuss DNA evidence and how the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) can be used to identify suspects.
</p><p>For domestic violence cases, Det. Shorten will review the law on family violence and the proper procedures that can be used to identify an abusive relationship, including those involving boyfriends or girlfriends and same sex partners. The session will break down the characteristics of a batterer, and how power and control is used to maintain abusive relationship.
A guest speaker will address the complex world of cyberbullying, and the role the internet is playing in spreading various crimes on campus.
</p><p>The class also will provide an opportunity for participants to practice the skills they learn. On the second day of class, participants will team up to investigate mock crime scenes involving sexual assault and domestic violence. “You will have the tools in the first day,” said Det. Shorten. “On the second day, you are going to use those tools and play them out into action.”
</p><p>For more information on Campus Crimes, contact Program Coordinator Yvette Shorten at (936) 294-3851 or a wys001@shsu.edu . To register for the course, click here
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-23025143739389507382017-07-24T07:08:00.000-07:002017-07-24T11:46:25.400-07:00Study Helps Local Police Agencies Improve Investigations of Violent Crimes<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/investigation.jpg" alt="bullet"> <h3>
Ballistics</h3>
A study by Dr. William King and colleagues led to changes in the way police process ballistic evidence in crime labs.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XljwF6ekB9nTCKDRy8m8rEWdWnZflm6M7mXAjDhM0IY7IwNORIwOz78XBffgowS9ldhUOh8IfCgZ5dLJ_0say__KEay5jscaLOZ-hTphfkGDKhOTfpL4nOAydGv9PlOw4D86mhIJLiM/s1600/investigation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XljwF6ekB9nTCKDRy8m8rEWdWnZflm6M7mXAjDhM0IY7IwNORIwOz78XBffgowS9ldhUOh8IfCgZ5dLJ_0say__KEay5jscaLOZ-hTphfkGDKhOTfpL4nOAydGv9PlOw4D86mhIJLiM/s320/investigation2.jpg" width="320" height="214" data-original-width="215" data-original-height="144" /></a></div>Results of a study of ballistics imaging by crime labs, first published in 2013, have already led to improvements in how labs and police agencies process and use information about violent gun crime.<a name='more'></a>
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Using data from 2012, the study found that ballistics imaging rarely contributed to identifying, arresting or sentencing of suspects because of lengthy delays in processing and the lack of detailed information immediately available to investigators. Ballistics imaging is a potentially powerful forensic tool that can help link crimes involving the same firearm using microscopic comparisons of cartridge casings.
</p>
<p>
However, the study based on 2012 data from 65 gun-related violent crime investigations in nine U.S. police agencies, found that ballistics reports took an average of 181 days to complete and required additional research by investigators to find relevant information. It also found that half of the suspects had been identified and one-third were arrested before a ballistics report was produced. Investigators said that ballistics reports contributed to identifying suspects in about 10 percent of cases, arresting a suspect in nearly 2 percent of cases and obtaining a plea bargain in about 5 percent of cases.
</p>
<p>
“Our results indicate that in 2012, the utility of ballistics imaging reports for investigators was limited, and investigators did not often use these reports during the course of an investigation,” said William King, a professor in the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University.
</p>
<p>
Following the preliminary publication of the study’s findings in 2013, many local agencies and crime labs began to collaborate to shorten processing times for ballistics evidence. “There is evidence that currently, labs and police agencies are utilizing ballistics imaging results to solve violent crimes, in part because of our study results,” said King.
</p>
<p>
The study suggested that improvements in people, processes and technology may help to speed up results. In the meantime, investigators use ballistics reports as one piece of information in complex cases.
</p>
<p>
“As one robbery detective stated, ‘When I work an investigation, it's like I'm hopping down a bunny trail. I want to gather as much information from anyone and anywhere as I can. Anything might prove helpful It may be that investigators like hit reports because of the possibility of illumination, not because the hit reports ‘crack the case’ or yield a tremendous insight,” said King.
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.13380/full">Forensic Evidence and Criminal Investigations: The Impact of Ballistics Information on the Investigation of Violent Crime in Nine Cities </a> by King, Bradley A. Campbell, Matthew C. Matusiak and Charles M. Katz, was published in the <em>Journal of Forensic Science</em>.bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-50588658600850088432017-07-04T09:04:00.000-07:002017-10-12T14:58:50.667-07:00Franklin Appointed "Voice for Victims" at Crime Victims' Institute<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/CVI3.jpg"> <h3>
Crime Victims</h3>
Cortney Franklin will study victim issues and report to advocacy groups and the legislature as head of the Crime Victims' Institute.</div>
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<p>
Cortney Franklin was appointed Director of the <a href="http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/">Crime Victims’ Institute (CVI)</a> at Sam Houston State University, a research center that studies the impact of crime on victims and society and makes policy recommendations to the Texas Legislature and advocacy groups.<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
Franklin, an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, has served as Assistant Director of CVI since 2006 and edited two series on human trafficking and campus sexual assault for the institute. In 2016, Franklin was awarded an Office on Violence Against Women federal grant for $393,000 to evaluate the Houston Police Department’s mandatory sexual and family violence training.
</p>
<p>
“The Crime Victims’ Institute’s work on producing high quality research regarding victimization is of considerable importance as findings can inform service providers and criminal justice system personnel on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to addressing victimization,” said Franklin. “Our work advances the science of victimology and puts these findings in the hands of the professionals that regularly interface with victims so they can make a difference.”
</p>
<p>
Created and funded by the Texas Legislature since 1995, CVI’s mission is to conduct research to examine the impact of crime on victims of all ages, to improve services for victims, to provide a voice for victims, and to inform policy-making at the state and local levels. This year, the institute plans to publish research on several prominent issues, including campus sexual assault, intimate partner violence among sexual minorities, victimization across the lifespan, and findings from a campus climate survey on student attitudes toward safety.
</p>
<p>
Franklin also plans to continue her partnership with the Texas Victim Services Association and other advocacy groups across the state. The Crime Victims’ Institute will sponsor victim awareness activities at Sam Houston State University, including The Clothesline Project honoring victims of domestic violence in Texas and Sexual Assault Awareness Month events on campus and in the community.
</p>
<p>
Franklin said the campus sexual assault series will continue with new issues on athletes and high risk behavior, federal legislation designed to curtail campus crime, the effectiveness of bystander intervention, and responses to sexual assault disclosure.
</p>
<p>
Franklin also served as editor the human trafficking series, which examined police response to human trafficking, sex trafficking of youth, diverse needs of sex trafficking survivors, perceptions of domestic sex trafficking survivors, and human traffickers, buyers, and sex tourism.
</p>
<p>
Franklin joined the College in 2008 after earning her Ph.D. in criminal justice from Washington State University. Her research specializes in victimology and, specifically, violence against women, campus sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and perceptions of sex trafficking. Her work also concentrates on gender and justice issues and police responses to crime victims. She has published over 30 scholarly articles and book chapters on victimization-related topics. This research has recently appeared in <em>Psychology of Women Quarterly, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Violence Against Women,</em> and <em>Journal of School Violence</em>.
</p>
<p>
Franklin is an active member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Society of Criminology. She was awarded the inaugural New Scholar Award in Victimology for the Victimology Section of ACJS in 2012-2013 and was recently the recipient of the Graduate Mentoring Award by Graduate Studies at Sam Houston State University for 2015-2016.
</p>
<p>
At CVI, Franklin hopes to continue to provide a voice for victims in the criminal justice system.
</p>
<p>
“Positive experiences with well-informed victim service providers and justice professionals may mitigate trauma symptoms, encourage service use, enhance suspect apprehension, decrease case attrition, and facilitate cooperation among key community stakeholders,” Franklin said.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-5098329483232647192017-07-03T12:59:00.001-07:002017-07-03T13:03:15.551-07:00SHSU Study Earns Top Award at Policing Journal <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2wmLLEVkc4v3vBLaJyMH8XehdtBM24FZGQmNJ3FOQk4yCiqYm4VtA1NSvAObXiGcIuCa18mD9SWVqcqvbxekm9dpoTNqDDt2SeRcWMtPtL8YNqKGCBdqPl22qYGbK597otBfyVJwsqy0/s1600/JournalAward2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2wmLLEVkc4v3vBLaJyMH8XehdtBM24FZGQmNJ3FOQk4yCiqYm4VtA1NSvAObXiGcIuCa18mD9SWVqcqvbxekm9dpoTNqDDt2SeRcWMtPtL8YNqKGCBdqPl22qYGbK597otBfyVJwsqy0/s400/JournalAward2.jpg" width="400" height="156" data-original-width="900" data-original-height="350" alt="Emerald Award sign built into police lineup"/></a></div>
<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/JournalAward.jpg"> <h3>
Eyewitness ID </h3>
A study examining eyewitness identification practices at the Houston Robbery Division won an award from Emerald Publishing. </div>
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A study conducted by Sam Houston State University researchers on eyewitness identification procedures used by the Robbery Division at the Houston Police Department received the 2017 Award of Excellence from Emerald Publishing. <a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
The study was published by <em>Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies </em>and won the Award of Excellence for the journal. A collaborative study between researchers from Sam Houston State and the Houston Police Department that examined gun violence also received this award in 2013.
</p>
<p>
The research at Sam Houston State University by William Wells, Bradley Campbell, Yudu Li and Stryker Swindle examined 975 witnesses who participated in eyewitness identification procedures, including photo spreads, live lineups and video lineups. “Research is leading to changes in eyewitness identification methods that police use,” said Wells, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University. “Our study contributes new knowledge because we use a large set of data collected from real-world robbery investigations in Houston, TX.”
</p>
<p>
During the study, half of the witnesses who participated in an eyewitness identification procedure did not select anyone from the lineup. When a witness made a selection, they picked the suspect in 78 percent of the cases. Of those who made a selection, 62 percent indicated they were positive in identifying the suspect and, in fact, 94 percent did choose the suspect.
</p>
<p>
“The results show that robbery witnesses face a challenging task,” said Dr. Wills. “It is common for identification procedures to be used when witnesses view a robbery that involves a weapon, when the robbery involves a perpetrator of a different race or ethnicity than the witness, when there is a seemingly large age difference between the witness and perpetrator, and when many days have passed between the robbery and identification procedure.”
</p>
<p>
When witnesses were exposed to a gun or offenders of a different race or ethnicity, they made fewer identifications and more rejections than in robberies that did not involve a weapon or had a suspect of the same race as the witness.
</p>
<p>
The distance between offender and witness as well as the time of exposure also had a significant effect on eyewitness identification. In the Houston study, witnesses with a better view were more likely to select the suspect. Also, witnesses who made immediate selections were more likely to identify a suspect, rather than a filler on the panel.
</p>
<p>
Although many eyewitness identification studies are done in the laboratory, this study was based on real-life work in the field. “This study provides an example of how criminal case data can be used to describe eyewitness procedures in actual cases and provide basic, yet important information,” Wells said.
<a href=http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/PIJPSM-10-2015-0124>“The Characteristics and Results of Eyewitness Identification Procedures Conducted During Robbery Investigations in Houston, TX” </a>can be found in <em>Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management</em>.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-62175104801150380862017-06-26T08:17:00.001-07:002017-10-06T09:00:12.433-07:00International Problem-Oriented Policing Conference in Houston<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/copcar.jpg" alt="Officer standing in front of police car"> <h3>
Solving Problems</h3>
Learn to use problem-oriented policing to reduce specific crimes and safety problems at a Houston conference Oct. 2-4.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmlpkjWP3JgYNfAY-p0W9F5yT69OrZcyk8bSOG4Vqz1Pr6itdenzGPZOeUIHiyChvKQ5Fz9026cjPlOTYqJuOb9YQBq7IFwrK4tecpHyWA-5jrDD6gnnQGJx4Bgrr_NwWfqn2xboBufwv/s1600/copcar19225833_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmlpkjWP3JgYNfAY-p0W9F5yT69OrZcyk8bSOG4Vqz1Pr6itdenzGPZOeUIHiyChvKQ5Fz9026cjPlOTYqJuOb9YQBq7IFwrK4tecpHyWA-5jrDD6gnnQGJx4Bgrr_NwWfqn2xboBufwv/s400/copcar19225833_l.jpg" width="400" height="287" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1149" /></a></div><p>27th Annual International Problem-Oriented Policing Conference
<br>October 2-4, 2017
<br>Hilton Americas Hotel
<br>Houston, TX
</p><p>Join police officers, supervisors and executives, as well as crime analysts and researchers, to discuss what they’ve learned about reducing specific crime and safety problems using a problem-oriented policing approach.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>In addition to presentations from the finalists for this year’s Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing, this year’s POP Conference will feature presentations by agencies using problem-oriented policing to tackle more than 20 different crime and safety problems including:<ul>
<li>Introduction to Problem-Oriented Policing</li>
<li>Introduction to Situational Crime Prevention</li>
<li>Implementing POP in the Durham Constabulary (UK)</li>
<li>Community Livability: Reducing Neighborhood Conflicts in a College Town</li>
<li>Crime and Disorder in Budget Motels</li>
<li>POP and Evidence Based Policing</li>
<li>CPTED Old and New: Cutting Crime with Urban Design</li>
<li>Opiod Abuse and Overdoses</li>
<li>Reducing Traffic Crashes in a Procedurally Just Manner</li>
<li>Understanding and Disrupting Networks of Crime Places</li>
<li>Technological Responses to Police Problems: Which Ones Work?</li></ul>
</p><p>Visit www.popcenter.org for conference registration and hotel information.
</p><p>For specific questions about the conference, contact the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at events@popcenter.org or 980-621-9337.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-80288928998760455932017-06-12T12:56:00.003-07:002017-06-22T13:20:58.167-07:00LEMIT Hosts Training on Trauma-Affected Veterans<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/PoliceVeterans2.jpg" alt="Chief Turnover"> <h3>
Veterans in Crisis</h3>
LEMIT is hosting a free training for law enforcement officers to raise awareness and learn techniques to assist veterans in crisis in their communities. </div>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13aKcJgGvUg-QZ6DqtjurwRGmv-ZEBrpHlf6eXJlCqLMx9x8bG6H_iyYadLgXmrEV9DDBJ9dd6MntL23_2prbv6sbQrblnVO7H4ckWASPby9bUHA3bfNz2zZKtx4M4JvYrstXkeOzN7Y/s1600/PoliceVeterans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13aKcJgGvUg-QZ6DqtjurwRGmv-ZEBrpHlf6eXJlCqLMx9x8bG6H_iyYadLgXmrEV9DDBJ9dd6MntL23_2prbv6sbQrblnVO7H4ckWASPby9bUHA3bfNz2zZKtx4M4JvYrstXkeOzN7Y/s400/PoliceVeterans.jpg" width="400" height="156" data-original-width="900" data-original-height="350" /></a></div>With 1.6 million veterans living in Texas -- the second highest population in the country -- the state is leading the way in offering training for criminal justice professionals to engage better with those suffering from military trauma and to connect them to services in the community.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) will host a free course facilitated by the local Military Veterans Peer Network (MVPN) representative on trauma-affected veterans for law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and jailers. This three-day course, which will be held from Aug. 14-16 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, aims to provide criminal justice professionals with a basic understanding about U.S. military culture; traumas, triggers, and stressors; and de-escalation techniques they may use when encountering veterans in crisis.
</p><p>“This training will bring awareness to the issue of those affected by military trauma and the role law enforcement officers have in potentially aiding them,” said Ashley Taylor, the veteran services liaison at Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare and the MPVN peer services coordinator for Montgomery, Walker, and Liberty counties. “It will help them to engage with these veterans and provide connections to military services in the community. We want to make sure veterans and law enforcement officers are safe so they can both go homes to their families.”
</p><p>The Military Veteran Peer Network, part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Mental Health Program, is the only statewide peer support program in the country to use military veterans to identify and investigate community resources and to act and advocate through training and volunteerism on the veterans’ behalf. In addition to training criminal justice professionals, the program assists with access to mental health programs and various other societal needs. Veterans in Texas represent 18 percent of the population, compared with an average of 7 percent nationwide.
</p><p>“Texas is very veteran friendly, and it shows through our legislative efforts,” said Taylor. “Our state management is currently working with other states to duplicate the program. Texas truly is leading the way and other states are taking notice.”
</p><p>In an effort to address mental health issues in the criminal justice system, this training was mandated by Texas House 1338 in 2015 to provide training for peace officers and first responders on those affected by trauma, especially veterans. The three-day program will include lectures, videos, and role-playing exercises to prepare officers for encounters with veterans in crisis. Participants in the program can earn 24 credits from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
</p><p>“LEMIT is honored to partner with the Military Veterans Peer Network to deliver this important program to law enforcement officers,” said James Senegal, director of Professional Development at LEMIT. “Our veterans have served this country with honor and we owe them a debt of gratitude, praise and thanks for their services in fighting for our freedom.”
</p><p>The program provides information about the military culture and the traumas that may affect veterans, include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Sexual Trauma, and Moral Injury. It will identify the criteria to classify as a veteran, and the resources that can be used to get help. It also will discuss military families, and the roles they play in the veteran’s well-being. Finally, it will explore the similarities and differences between military and law enforcement and de-escalation techniques that can help diffuse crisis situations.
</p><p>A law enforcement instructor also will examine trauma-affected veterans from field experience, including how to recognize veterans and the symptoms they exhibit. For example, an officer may encounter a person with slurred speech, an unsteady gait and anger and may assume he or she is drunk. In fact, these same symptoms may be exhibited by a veteran with traumatic brain injury. The training also will work through every step of the criminal justice process, from dispatch, encounter with patrol, arrest, jail and probation, to demonstrate how each area can be more effective in addressing the needs of trauma-affected veterans and law enforcement personnel. The program also discusses suicide and depression, which also is prevalent among law enforcement officers, and how to access mental health care for veterans and officers alike.
</p><p>Finally, the program offers case studies, where officers can discuss interventions that could be used, as well as role-playing exercises, where teams can recognize and react to real-life situations to learn to react more effectively , to use de-escalation techniques such as active listening and empathy, and to access resources to assist veterans.
</p><p>For more information or to register for the course, visit <a href="http://www.lemitonline.org/calendar/?mode=view&item=59"> Trauma Affected Veterans</a>
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-80299344067673631022017-05-22T08:48:00.002-07:002017-05-22T10:13:04.746-07:00Low Heart Rate Linked to Stalking Behaviors in Men<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/heartrate.jpg" alt="heart rate"> <h3>
Research</h3>
New biosocial research from the College discovered a link between low resting heart rate and stalking behaviors in men.</div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFff6on2tFe7OZnwRWy6LK669jnsbkdpaYRaFD36FFP07o4fcF4QRO1zJPdlhC6U3mJ0LhhOGfL141q8CyYR5M_s2p0BlIYUM6oJ1ueLQC3NbzXqV8AiNwlG1aBOmmCjqu713N1zPKKeQ/s1600/heartrate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFff6on2tFe7OZnwRWy6LK669jnsbkdpaYRaFD36FFP07o4fcF4QRO1zJPdlhC6U3mJ0LhhOGfL141q8CyYR5M_s2p0BlIYUM6oJ1ueLQC3NbzXqV8AiNwlG1aBOmmCjqu713N1zPKKeQ/s1600/heartrate2.jpg" /></a></div>A low resting heart rate, which has been linked to aggression and violent offending, has been implicated in stalking behavior in males, according to a recent study.<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
“Low Resting Heart Rate and Stalking Perpetration,” by Danielle Boisvert, Jessica Wells, Todd Armstrong, Richard H. Lewis, Matthias Woeckener and Matt Nobles, is the first study to incorporate the biological factor of resting heart rate in assessing stalking behaviors and is among a growing body of literature linking autonomic nervous system functions to antisocial behavior.
</p>
<p>
The study found that males with a low resting heart rate were at significantly greater risk of engaging in stalking behavior. Based on arousal theory, those with low levels of arousal are less fearful, more likely to seek opportunities to pursue victims to feel stimulated, and are more likely to exhibit impulsive behaviors.
</p>
<p>
“Participants whose heart rate was one standard deviation below the mean or lower had nearly three times the odds of having engaged in stalking as compared with all other participants, suggesting that low resting heart rate is associated with increased prevalence of stalking behavior,” said Boisvert. “Overall, our findings suggest that while heart rate is generally found to be associated with aggression and antisocial behavior across the sexes, these associations may be sex specific when discussing stalking perpetration.”
</p>
<p>
Recent estimates suggest that 16.2 percent of women and 5.2 percent of men in the U.S. have been stalked at some point in their lifetime, which represents 20 million women and six million men. Stalking can lead to significant psychological, social and economic effects for victims, costing an estimated $342 million in the U.S. annually.
</p>
<p>
The study is based 384 college students from a Southern university who answered a survey on stalking measures and had their heart rate monitored through a finger pulse oximeter. Participants were asked if they followed, watched or spied on someone; or tried to communicate through a variety of written and physical methods with someone against their will over the last year. Of the sample, 32 had engaged in these stalking behaviors, including 15 females and 17 males.
</p>
<p>
The study was published in the <em><a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886260517698823?ai=1gvoi&mi=3ricys&af=R">Journal of Interpersonal Violence</em></a>. Boisvert is an associate professor and Wells, Lewis and Woeckener are Ph.D. students in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University; Armstrong is a professor at the University of Nebraska, Omaha; and Nobles is an associate professor at the University of Central Florida.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-42832603869180770372017-05-22T08:44:00.002-07:002017-05-22T09:47:19.834-07:00Ph.D. Student Named National Emerging Forensic Scientist<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/Glicksberg.jpg"> <h3>
Emerging Scientist </h3>
Ph.D. Student Lindsay Glicksberg was named an Emerging Forensic Scientist by the Forensic Science Foundation for her research on bath salts. </div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EUyUQ3Ma5AnGofSxl_2ltRgPvKEvrVfXo-l2Nx_RmZjsyIcsw4LZdfTSgv_SlTTJXbmjrCaDXGZb9bx3hU4ry5Q_jCci8p8gclqoCugNBHnUW6uMdC0mCLhw_hFI0VJpaAiNTpgYTew/s1600/Glicksberg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EUyUQ3Ma5AnGofSxl_2ltRgPvKEvrVfXo-l2Nx_RmZjsyIcsw4LZdfTSgv_SlTTJXbmjrCaDXGZb9bx3hU4ry5Q_jCci8p8gclqoCugNBHnUW6uMdC0mCLhw_hFI0VJpaAiNTpgYTew/s1600/Glicksberg2.jpg" /></a></div>Ph.D. Student Lindsay Glicksberg received the Emerging Forensic Scientist Award by the Forensic Science Foundation for her research on the stability of “bath salts” in biological evidence.<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
Glicksberg, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Forensic Science, earned the 2017 award for “Synthetic Cathinone Stability in Blood Using Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole Time-Of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry (LC/qTOF/MS).” She studied the stability of 22 synthetic cathinones, a dangerous class of designer drugs that emerged in the US in 2009. Glicksberg’s study found that specimen pH, temperature and chemical structure had a significant influence on drug stability. The study was funded by the National Institute of Justice.
</p>
<p>
“Many factors affect the stability of a drug, especially time and storage temperature, and the project was designed to assess these factors,” said Glicksberg.
</p>
<p>
There has been a rise in the use and media coverage of bath salts, a class of drug that produces a wide range of stimulant effects, similar to methamphetamine, which has resulted in intoxication and death. In 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration banned the use of some synthetic cathinones, and many states also have enacted their own laws against these chemicals. Despite these bans, people are still using these life-threatening drugs.
</p>
<p>
The Emerging Forensic Scientist Award focuses on the reliability and validity of techniques, processes or methods in forensic science. It is presented by the Forensic Science Foundation, the educational, scientific, and research arm of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), a prominent professional organization in the field. Glicksberg’s research was presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the AAFS in New Orleans.
</p>
<p>
“Cathinone stability in biological evidence is of critical importance,” said Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, Department Chair of the Department of Forensic Science and the Director of the Institute for Forensic Research, Training and Innovation at SHSU. “Changes in concentration that take place after a specimen is collected from a living or deceased person can influence how we interpret the results. We see cathinones in a wide variety of criminal investigations, ranging from impaired driving and sexual assault to death investigations and fatalities.”
</p>
<p>
In addition to the award, Glicksberg recently co-authored an article on the ability to identify and measure these chemicals in biological evidence in the crime lab. “Identification and quantification of synthetic cathinones in blood and urine using liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight (LC-Q/TOF) mass spectrometry” which was coauthored by Kerrigan and Kelsie Bryand of the Department of Forensic Science, was published in the <em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27697731">Journal of Chromatography B </em></a>.
</p>
<p>
Designer drugs pose a growing problem to crime laboratories and medical examiners' offices. By the time the drug is identified and banned, clandestine drug chemists have synthesized new alternatives, in an attempt to circumvent the law. “Our findings are particularly important because we were able to identify characteristics of the molecule that influence its stability,” Kerrigan said. “Not only were we able to identify the drugs which were the most unstable, but our research might help predict the stability of future synthetic cathinones that have yet to emerge”.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-24728949875835194632017-05-22T08:42:00.000-07:002017-07-03T12:57:14.570-07:00Alumnus Tackles Race Relations as Presidential Scholar<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/Presley.jpg" alt="Presidential Scholar logo"> <h3>
Alumnus</h3>
Webster Chief Danny Presley was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar for his project to enhance dialogue between police and the communities they serve. </div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rg1fTP5E2Q7TKorlQwkQJXDVnQi9kQavghVlwV_Ct_Lp8RKhPqajrypCduoUI5T5wczTmF9_aXmjz6_ce-UMOJPqBjOoiI8jzNG8IjxQi1BHxwrSdX6ZITe0E8aghhsPbIBsiSdq7Us/s1600/Presley3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rg1fTP5E2Q7TKorlQwkQJXDVnQi9kQavghVlwV_Ct_Lp8RKhPqajrypCduoUI5T5wczTmF9_aXmjz6_ce-UMOJPqBjOoiI8jzNG8IjxQi1BHxwrSdX6ZITe0E8aghhsPbIBsiSdq7Us/s1600/Presley3.jpg" /></a></div>Webster Police Chief Danny Presley wants to jump-start the dialogue between police and minority communities across the country, and he has U.S. Presidents, cabinet members, and business leaders to help him on his way. </p>
<a name='more'></a>
<p>
Chief Presley is one of 60 national trailblazers selected for the 2017 Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, which is designed to gather forerunners from diverse backgrounds to address some of the greatest challenges facing today’s society. Presley is using the program to develop the Law Enforcement Ambassadors for Dialogue (LEAD), a program designed to rebuild trust and resolve conflict between police and minority communities. </p>
<p>
“We want to establish sustainable partnerships that will help meet the challenges unique to each city,” said Presley. </p>
<p>
For his project, Presley assembled an advisory group, which includes U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, criminal justice professionals and attorneys from the Houston area, to develop curriculum for the training sessions. Some of the topics that will be addressed are implicit bias, procedural justice, police legitimacy, and leadership skills in the community to address issues in constructive ways. </p>
<p>
“We want to talk about the complex interrelationship between government, police and minority citizens,” said Presley. </p>
<p>
The Presidential Leadership Scholars Program draws on the expertise of four Presidential Centers – those dedicated to Republicans George W. and George H. W. Bush and Democrats William J. Clinton and Lyndon B. Johnson. The program gives participants a behind-the-scene look at key decisions made during their administrations from Presidential appointees and even Presidents themselves. </p>
<p>
Presley, the only law enforcement representative on the 2017 roster, will work alongside prominent doctors, attorneys, corporate executives, and non-profit leaders to build leadership skills and fine-tune their proposals. Each participant brings his or her own projects to the table, including such issues as child hunger, illiteracy, underserved populations, and substance abuse, to name a few. </p>
<p>
“It is designed not only to teach leadership, but how to build public-private partnership to make sure our projects come to fruition,” Presley said. “It’s all about service and serving others and developing our leadership.” </p>
<p>
During 2017, Presley will visit Washington, D. C. as well as each of the Presidential Centers, located in College Station, Dallas, Austin and Little Rock, AR. During his most recent session in College Station, Presley met former President George H. W. Bush and his wife, First Lady Barbara Bush, as well as former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Among the speakers who presented at the first session in Washington, D.C. were:<ul>
<li>Donna Shalala -- Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Clinton administration</li>
<li>Keith Hennessey -- Professor, Stanford University; Chief Economic Advisor to President George W. Bush</li>
<li>Valerie Jarret – Advisor to President Obama</li>
<li>David Rubenstein – Billionaire and Washington, D.C. Philanthropist</li>
<li>Richard Norton – Presidential Historian and Author</li>
</ul>
</p>
<p>
Presley began his leadership training in 2005 at the Leadership Command College at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, and he is expected to graduate from Sam Houston State University in August with his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management. He also graduated as Class President of his FBI National Academy class, which provided an opportunity to give the commencement address and meet FBI Director James Comey. To get into the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, Presley had to go through a rigorous, five month approval process, which including a background check and interviews with Presidential Center staff. </p>
<p>
“Chief Presley is a true servant leader. The opportunity to participate in this important program will benefit not just the people of Texas but the country as well. Danny is a selfless, methodical, and principled leader. He will work hard for all of us with his research and products resulting in being a presidential scholar.” </p>
<p>
Presley thanked the City Council in Webster as well as William Wells and Dennis Longmire, professors in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at SHSU and Rita Watkins, executive director at LEMIT, for their help in the process. </p>
<p>
“One of the mantra of the program is ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” said Presley. “ I want that to be my mantra in public service. Everything I do should be about serving others and giving back.” bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-38242124354526868952017-05-10T10:37:00.000-07:002017-05-22T08:40:16.492-07:00LEMIT Study Examines Turnover Among Texas Police Chiefs<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/LEMIT_cop.jpg" alt="Chief Turnover"> <h3>
Chief Turnover</h3>
The latest study from the Texas Chiefs of Police Panel Project examines the issue of voluntary or involuntary turnover. </div>
<p>About half of Texas police chiefs leave their jobs voluntarily and their relationships with stakeholders and policing styles have a lot to do with their success, according to a recent study at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>New police chiefs participating in professional development programs at LEMIT from 2013-2015 were asked why their predecessors left office. The survey, by Ph.D. graduate Yudu Li, found that 51.8 percent left their jobs voluntarily through retirement, new jobs or new positions in government. Another 48.2 percent left involuntarily through firings, dismissals, or criminal investigations.
</p><p>Among the most significant factors influencing the turnover decision were:<ul>
<li>Police chief who had poor relationships with community stakeholders, such governing bodies, hiring authorities, elected politicians or the media, were more likely to leave their position involuntarily</li>
<li>Departments who received high scores in community policing, such as treating citizens with respect and making the community feel secure, were less likely to have chiefs depart involuntarily</li>
<li>Police chief appointed from outside the department were less like to leave the department involuntarily</li>
<li>Police chiefs appointed by the mayor were less likely to leave the department involuntarily</li>
<li>Police chiefs with longer lengths of services were less likely to leave the department involuntary</li></ul>
</p><p>“Police chiefs can strive for good working relationships with community stakeholders and maintain good departmental policing performance to reduce the likelihood of involuntary turnover,” said Li, an assistance professor at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. “They also can bring new ideas and focus on the problems in the community “
</p><p>The <a href="http://www.lemitonline.org/research/documents/NCDP_Executive%20Summary_March_2017.pdf
">executive summary </a>is part of the Texas Chiefs of Police Panel Project.bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-25640586718539294822017-05-09T08:47:00.000-07:002017-06-21T14:00:19.294-07:00CVI Begins Series on Sexual Assault on Campus<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/CVI.jpg"> <h3>
Campus Sexual Assault</h3>
The Crime Victims' Institute initiated a series on campus sexual assault to explore high risk populations, bystander intervention, criminal justice responses and best practices. </div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlSJMF4TL3nbtLVuOtSLPFys8YBeGs3QSzuOlr9NPKf7ddahyphenhyphenuKV0raB9rMRCWzW36N_s7YV5E_sW4JG6UEp1S0uVuBFqBWr0B29I4x9augd6pU__DQ-aK43JBZAcSGg2AOnbr1wJCzI/s1600/CVI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlSJMF4TL3nbtLVuOtSLPFys8YBeGs3QSzuOlr9NPKf7ddahyphenhyphenuKV0raB9rMRCWzW36N_s7YV5E_sW4JG6UEp1S0uVuBFqBWr0B29I4x9augd6pU__DQ-aK43JBZAcSGg2AOnbr1wJCzI/s1600/CVI2.jpg" /></a></div>The Crime Victims’ Institute at Sam Houston State University launched a new series of reports on sexual assault on college campuses, which will investigate high risk populations, bystander intervention, criminal justice responses, and best practices.<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
“Sexual Assault: An Overview” is the first report of the series. Written by Cortney A. Franklin, an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and master’s student Alondra Garza, it provides an overview of sexual assault, its prevalence on campus, characteristics of perpetrators, risk factors and consequences for victims, and education and awareness.
</p>
<p>
“Official data and self-report surveys have demonstrated that, among the general population, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will experience an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime,” said Franklin. “On college campuses, women face increased odds of victimization, where between 20 to 25% of women will experience unwanted sexual contact or attempted/completed rape during their time in college.”
</p>
<p>
Contrary to popular portrayals of stranger rapes, 60% of all sexual assault victims know their attacker. Based on self-report surveys given to college students, 75 to 90 percent of campus victims are assaulted by acquaintances, and 50 percent of the attacks involve the use of alcohol by the perpetrator, victim, or both. Many of these cases are written off as poor decision making, regretful behavior, or bad sex.
</p>
<p>
However, a 2002 study found a pattern of predatory behavior on campus. In an analysis of 1,882 college men, 120 – or 6.2% -- admitted to engaging in behavior that met the legal definition of rape. Among this subsample, 76 men, representing 63.3%, were repeat offenders, committing an average of six assaults each.
</p>
<p>
Women between the ages of 18 and 24 years are at the highest risk for becoming victims of sexual assault, especially those with a history of physical or sexual abuse or early sexual activity. Alcohol and drug exposure also contribute to the issue as domisconceptions about dating.
</p>
<p>
Sexual assault is a life-changing event which can have far-reaching consequences on the victim’s physical and emotional well-being. Among the issues that may arise are anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, elevated fear and startle responses, migraine headaches, sleep interruptions, sexual dysfunction, appetite abnormalities, and gastrointestinal problems. Victims also may be at risk for unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease.
</p>
<p>
To combat sexual assault on campus, community organizations and advocacy groups launched awareness campaigns. In 1978, Take Back the Night organized marches to protest sexual violence and honor survivors in San Francisco and New York. By the late 1980s, The National Coalition Against Sexual Assault dedicated a week in April to combat violence and raise awareness. Finally, in 2001, Sexual Assault Awareness Month was launched, which heightens awareness and highlights prevention strategies.
</p>
<p>
Currently, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault is endorsing a new campaign to stop the violence and encourage bystander intervention. Called <a href=”http://taasa.org/break-the-box-campaign-revised/”> “Break the Box,</a>” the new program includes a short video, discussion, activity guides, and posters for groups to use. For more information about the new series, visit “Sexual Assault: An Overview” on the <a href="http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/"> Crime Victims Institute </a>web site.
</p>
<p>
The Crime Victims’ Institute is a legislatively-funded organization that studies the impact of crime on victims, their friends, families, and society and makes policy recommendations to the Texas Legislature and victim advocacy groups.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-68636247914479700122017-05-01T08:46:00.000-07:002017-05-22T13:23:38.808-07:00Sam Houston State Researchers Study DNA from Explosives<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/explosion.jpg" alt="awards night"> <h3>
Explosives</h3>
A study on new methods for identifying and recovering DNA from exploded bombs was published by faculty and students in the Department of Forensic Science.</div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr5q2Yb_krNu6hEZJ6MIesek9YZ5oNoFBOW-emfT_EHM_5odSWcafEjf6E3qEVcWMasFm4Jy5vl19Yh0nZNl06Ic4Rc7aF-aI8usuxipHw-VxLXC5D9hw80DldzgTGatCCfVZrUQGKBU/s1600/explosion_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr5q2Yb_krNu6hEZJ6MIesek9YZ5oNoFBOW-emfT_EHM_5odSWcafEjf6E3qEVcWMasFm4Jy5vl19Yh0nZNl06Ic4Rc7aF-aI8usuxipHw-VxLXC5D9hw80DldzgTGatCCfVZrUQGKBU/s400/explosion_header.jpg" width="400" height="156" /></a></div>Researchers at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) hope to unmask manufacturers of homemade explosives using new advancements in DNA technology.<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
In a study published in <em>Forensic Science International: Genetics</em>, a team of graduate students and faculty from the Department of Forensic Science investigated several methods to recover and analyze DNA from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, to help thwart terrorist efforts. The study examines a new method to optimize the recovery of DNA from detonated pipe bombs.
</p>
<p>
According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, IEDs accounted for 24% of all bombings reported in the U.S. in 2014. These devices also were responsible for 75% of all reported bombing deaths and 100% of all reported law enforcement injuries.
</p>
<p>
Although there are many types of evidence that can be collected, DNA is valued because it is one of the few types that can identify the assembler of the device. However, the analysis of post-blast evidence can be difficult.
</p>
<p>
“While forensic DNA technology has made several advancements since the 1980s, the ability to produce high quality DNA profiles from IEDs can still be quite difficult,” said Esiri Tasker, a PhD student who lead the study. “Issues such as high heat or low amounts of DNA can cause a DNA profile to be incomplete, or fail to produce a profile at all. Without the full picture, it is harder to identify suspects with DNA.”
</p>
<p>
The study, “Analysis of DNA from post-blast pipe bomb fragments for identification and determination of ancestry,” examined different collection and extraction methods for degraded and small samples of DNA left behind on detonated pipe bombs, including short tandem repeat markers (STRs), single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) via a new sequencing method called massively parallel sequencing or MPS, and insertion/null (INNULs)."
</p>
<p>
Because the materials needed to construct an IED are readily accessible, they will continue to be a weapon of choice for homegrown and international terrorists. However, new advancements in DNA technology may better equip investigators to help identify suspected bomb-makers than they have in the past. Researchers at SHSU hope that the results from this study can eventually be implemented to help identify bomb-makers and prevent future attacks on innocent people.
</p>
<p>
The study was authored by Tasker, Associate Professor Bobby LaRue, Master’s graduate Charity Beherec, Associate Professor David Gangitano and Assistant Professor Sheree Hughes Stamm. The article is available from <a href=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872497317300455”><em>Forensic Science International: Genetics</em></a>.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-54904648310408853802017-03-28T07:09:00.001-07:002017-05-22T13:25:01.745-07:00LCC Grad Tackles Race Relations as Presidential Scholar<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/Presley.jpg" alt="Presidential Scholar logo"> <h3>
LCC Alumnus</h3>
Webster Chief Danny Presley was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar for his project to enhance dialogue between police and the communities they serve. </div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAXXlfas_wF64_C584P5emGuXPm5Ge3CO5sUiVV6kZbPrrBNRiIM7bUcueIA9blobRdOQ4AJ0_I0vgam6-YSCHHxjjLUfxh5m1rpDzevQcDkrPrKxAn33m2Or2GrVYnRAupPqMGoh1F4/s1600/Presley2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAXXlfas_wF64_C584P5emGuXPm5Ge3CO5sUiVV6kZbPrrBNRiIM7bUcueIA9blobRdOQ4AJ0_I0vgam6-YSCHHxjjLUfxh5m1rpDzevQcDkrPrKxAn33m2Or2GrVYnRAupPqMGoh1F4/s1600/Presley2.jpg" /></a></div>Webster Police Chief Danny Presley wants to jump-start the dialogue between police and minority communities across the country, and he has U.S. Presidents, cabinet members, and business leaders to help him on his way. </p><a name='more'></a>
<p>
Chief Presley is one of 60 national trailblazers selected for the 2017 Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, which is designed to gather forerunners from diverse backgrounds to address some of the greatest challenges facing today’s society. Presley is using the program to develop the Law Enforcement Ambassadors for Dialogue (LEAD), a program designed to rebuild trust and resolve conflict between police and minority communities. </p>
<p>
“We want to establish sustainable partnerships that will help meet the challenges unique to each city,” said Presley. </p>
<p>
For his project, Presley assembled an advisory group, which includes U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, criminal justice professionals and attorneys from the Houston area, to develop curriculum for the training sessions. Some of the topics that will be addressed are implicit bias, procedural justice, police legitimacy, and leadership skills in the community to address issues in constructive ways. </p>
<p>
“We want to talk about the complex interrelationship between government, police and minority citizens,” said Presley. </p>
<p>
The Presidential Leadership Scholars Program draws on the expertise of four Presidential Centers – those dedicated to Republicans George W. and George H. W. Bush and Democrats William J. Clinton and Lyndon B. Johnson. The program gives participants a behind-the-scene look at key decisions made during their administrations from Presidential appointees and even Presidents themselves. </p>
<p>
Presley, the only law enforcement representative on the 2017 roster, will work alongside prominent doctors, attorneys, corporate executives, and non-profit leaders to build leadership skills and fine-tune their proposals. Each participant brings his or her own projects to the table, including such issues as child hunger, illiteracy, underserved populations, and substance abuse, to name a few. </p>
<p>
“It is designed not only to teach leadership, but how to build public-private partnership to make sure our projects come to fruition,” Presley said. “It’s all about service and serving others and developing our leadership.” </p>
<p>
During 2017, Presley will visit Washington, D. C. as well as each of the Presidential Centers, located in College Station, Dallas, Austin and Little Rock, AR. During his most recent session in College Station, Presley met former President George H. W. Bush and his wife, First Lady Barbara Bush, as well as former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Among the speakers who presented at the first session in Washington, D.C. were:<ul>
<li>Donna Shalala -- Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Clinton administration</li>
<li>Keith Hennessey -- Professor, Stanford University; Chief Economic Advisor to President George W. Bush</li>
<li>Valerie Jarret – Advisor to President Obama</li>
<li>David Rubenstein – Billionaire and Washington, D.C. Philanthropist</li>
<li>Richard Norton – Presidential Historian and Author</li>
</ul>
</p>
<p>
Presley began his leadership training in 2005 at the Leadership Command College at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, and he is expected to graduate from Sam Houston State University in August with his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management. He also graduated as Class President of his FBI National Academy class, which provided an opportunity to give the commencement address and meet FBI Director James Comey. To get into the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, Presley had to go through a rigorous, five month approval process, which including a background check and interviews with Presidential Center staff. </p>
<p>
“Chief Presley is a true servant leader. The opportunity to participate in this important program will benefit not just the people of Texas but the country as well. Danny is a selfless, methodical, and principled leader. He will work hard for all of us with his research and products resulting in being a presidential scholar.” </p>
<p>
Presley thanked the City Council in Webster as well as William Wells and Dennis Longmire, professors in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at SHSU and Rita Watkins, executive director at LEMIT, for their help in the process. </p>
<p>
“One of the mantra of the program is ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” said Presley. “ I want that to be my mantra in public service. Everything I do should be about serving others and giving back.” bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-28954056762932325202017-03-20T14:04:00.000-07:002017-05-26T13:54:38.556-07:00LEMIT Launches Fire Marshals Program<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/Fire_Marshal.jpg" alt="Fire Marshal" > <h3>
Fire Marshals</h3>
LEMIT recently hosted the first executive development program for fire marshals in the nation.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1suUa7PctQhbIO0Jh8vvRV6NeB35kt9RCRf-rc2uSb_5c3VOJp9ttRJs3Io40YWSEAWxa_XFoWGcKelhspeJON2t4a-wO-L0qCuw3Q3DmSW69by5yRhT4dfx0fzFXxDdD5hEfhJxKDNh/s1600/IMG_20161107_091155528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1suUa7PctQhbIO0Jh8vvRV6NeB35kt9RCRf-rc2uSb_5c3VOJp9ttRJs3Io40YWSEAWxa_XFoWGcKelhspeJON2t4a-wO-L0qCuw3Q3DmSW69by5yRhT4dfx0fzFXxDdD5hEfhJxKDNh/s400/IMG_20161107_091155528.jpg" width="400" height="225" alt="Three investigators survey the aftermath of a fire." /></a></div><p>The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is partnering with the Texas Fire Marshals’ Association (TFMA) to provide the first executive development program for the discipline in the nation.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>The Fire Executive Management Training Program for Fire Marshals will address nationally recognized standards along with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform essential tasks of the job. The five-day program will focus on leadership and management for day-to-day operations of the fire marshals service, such as laws, codes and standards; human resources; budgeting; community risk analysis; community relations; and professional development. It will also provide advanced training in inspections, code enforcement, prevention, and investigations.
</p><p>“We are thrilled for this opportunity to partner with Sam Houston State University and LEMIT in the development and delivery of this course for fire marshals,” said Laurie L. Christensen, President of the TFMA. “It addresses a need for executive management training for fire marshals across Texas and the nation, and we are excited to have a part in the first program in the United States to do that.”
</p><p>To qualify, participants must be a fire marshal or in leadership role; hold a certificate as a fire inspector, a fire investigator or in public education; and have completed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Course 3737 or Texas Commission on Fire Protection programs Fire Officer I and II or hold a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or related field. Admission to the program will be on a competitive basis through an application process. Sponsorships are currently being accepted to keep cost to a minimum.
</p><p>“With its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional management and leadership development, LEMIT is pleased to extend this tremendous opportunity to fire service personnel,” said Dr. Rita J. Watkins. Executive Director of LEMIT. “This training will provide participants with the necessary tools to inspire excellence in leadership and enhance the effective delivery of services to the communities they serve.”
<p><p>For the last 30 years, LEMIT has led the nation in providing education, professional development, research and service to law enforcement agencies around the state to inspire leadership and management skills for 21st Century policing. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1989, LEMIT is one of the largest and most sophisticated statewide preparation programs for police management and is nationally recognized for its initiatives to develop the administrative, analytical, and executive skills of current and future law enforcement officials. LEMIT is branching out to provide high-caliber professional development opportunities to other public safety agencies that serve the community. This month, it launched an initiative for dispatchers and telecommunications staff to help reduce stress and better learn how to deal with difficult people.
</p><p>The new program is designed to serve the fire marshal service, a unique entity that combines the skills of fire service with those of law enforcement. Among the activities that will be undertaken are:<ul>
<li>Review laws, codes, standards, and regulatory agencies governing fire marshals</li>
<li>Manage budgets, records, information and human resources for your agency</li>
<li>Develop strategic planning</li>
<li>Evaluate community risk management</li>
<li>Improve community relations strategies for fire and life safety</li>
<li>Participate in professional development</li>
<li>Learn advanced fire prevention, inspection and education techniques</li></ul>
</p><p>For more information about the new initiatives, visit <a href="http://www.lemitonline.org/programs/femt.html"> Fire Executive Management Training Program </a> page.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-43092037167306326752017-03-20T09:11:00.001-07:002017-03-20T09:11:56.314-07:00Oliver Pays Homage to Father of American Policing<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/Oliver.jpg" alt="Euless Badge"> <h3>
New Book</h3>
Willard Oliver pays homage to August Vollmer, the Father of American Policing, in his latest book. </div>
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<p>
After 10 years of research and a bookcase full of documents, Professor Willard Oliver published a comprehensive biography of August Vollmer, known as the “Father of American Policing.”<a name='more'></a>
</p>
<p>
Vollmer, the former police chief of Berkeley, CA, ushered in a new era of professionalism in policing, which led to the first criminology program at the University of California, Berkeley in 1916, the forerunner of criminal justice and criminology programs today.
</p>
<p>
“The very reason we are here today is because of Vollmer,” Oliver said.
</p>
<p>
In addition to promoting education for his officers, Vollmer is credited with modernizing local policing agencies by collaborating with others to launch the first free-standing police crime lab in Los Angeles and to introduce the polygraph exam as well as one-way radios in his department. Vollmer was the first to use hot spot policing in 1924 to target high crime areas, a popular practice not routinely used until the 1990s.
</p>
<p>
“He took others’ ideas and improved upon them,” said Oliver, a professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology “Early on, he put all his officers on bicycles to answer calls more quickly. When the automobile was introduced, all of his officers had cars to make them more mobile.”
</p>
<p>
Vollmer came from humble beginnings. After fighting in the Spanish American War, Vollmer was appointed a postal carrier in Berkeley. In 1904 while on his route, he stopped a runaway rail car before it plowed into a commuter train filled with people. Celebrated as a hero, Vollmer was urged to run for town marshal to replace the corrupt incumbent, who represented the old guard of politicized policing at the turn of the century. Vollmer was elected and then became police chief when the community adopted its city charter 1909. He also served a year as police chief in Los Angeles.
Oliver has been fascinated by Vollmer since a freshman in college at Radford University. After completing his book, A History of Crime and Justice in America, Oliver set out to read a biography of August Vollmer. All he could find was a short book, similar to the G-men series written for youth, from the 1960s. “Since I didn’t find one, I decided to write one,” Oliver said.
</p>
<p>
Oliver browsed news archives and found 17,000 listings for “August Vollmer.” He eventually ended up with 10,000 newspaper articles on Vollmer. He spent seven weeks at the library at the University of Berkeley, reading through Vollmer’s papers. He also spent days working at the Berkeley Police Department, sifting through historical records in the department.
</p>
<p>
The result is an 800-page book written in popular biographical style.
</p>
<p>
“He’s even a more fascinating character than I thought,” said Oliver. “I found stories that I never heard before and pictures that have never been seen before. The real secret that I found is that no one called him August Vollmer. Everyone called him ‘Gus.’ To children, he was ‘Uncle Gus.’ And to police officers, he was simply ‘The Chief.’”
</p>
<p>
Through his research, Oliver discovered Vollmer was a humanitarian, treating prisoners with dignity and respect.
</p>
<p>
“Prisoners really loved him,” said Oliver. “He would talk to them and correspond with them. If someone was getting let out of jail, he would make sure they had a good, full, hot meal because he knew it might be days before they may have another one. If it was cold, he would give them a wool blanket. He didn’t look down on them or ridicule them. He saw them as a person who made a mistake, and he encouraged them to do something productive with their life.”
</p>
<p>
Despite his successes, Vollmer’s life ended at age 79 by suicide. Oliver didn’t shy away from the topic; instead he explored potential reasons behind it through both his supporters and detractors.
For Oliver, the book was clearly a labor of love.
</p>
<p>
“Some of his ideas and his influences, we still see in policing today,” said Oliver. “He was certainly a man ahead of his time.”
<a href=http://www.cap-press.com/books/isbn/9781611635591/August-Vollmer><em>August Vollmer: The Father of American Policing </a></em>is available from Carolina Academic Press.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-67543201453183233682017-03-20T08:17:00.001-07:002017-05-26T13:52:37.160-07:00Training for Investigating Environmental Cases<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/ProjectENCRIPT3.jpg" alt="Project EnCriPT Logo"> <h3>
Project EnCriPT</h3>
Project EnCriPT hosted a live training for civil and criminal enforcement officers on how to investigate environmental crimes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZL8xIwq3Pm9nRuszCZVm6pF9I5ZdRFCPoU6w7FAMXKb_ma_i2efaOAg-JWe0pF92OhYp-rEkCknhUnWrfwDjyYdWF4AN-uqyFHhgz0Jk_3FisfpM-FbK-3nUkVCgdDhmdtqz7fZVlHY/s1600/ProjectENCRIPT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZL8xIwq3Pm9nRuszCZVm6pF9I5ZdRFCPoU6w7FAMXKb_ma_i2efaOAg-JWe0pF92OhYp-rEkCknhUnWrfwDjyYdWF4AN-uqyFHhgz0Jk_3FisfpM-FbK-3nUkVCgdDhmdtqz7fZVlHY/s1600/ProjectENCRIPT2.jpg" /></a></div><p>The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) and Project EnCriPT hosted a hands-on training for environmental and law enforcement professionals on how to investigate environmental cases on March 6-8 in Huntsville.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>The Environmental Enforcement Introductory Training Program was designed for those involved in the civil or criminal enforcement of environmental laws, including law enforcement officers, sanitarians, code enforcement officers, and other subject matter experts responsible for environmental concerns. It included instruction as well as demonstrations on how to handle and investigate environmental cases in their jurisdictions.
</p><p>The course emphasized proven techniques to assist with the investigation of environmental cases and offered hands-on training on the skills and equipment needed to ensure public safety and to prepare a strong case for court. It provided practice in documenting, photographing, sketching and mapping scenes; retrieving water and soil samples near streams, in barrels and from underground containers; avoiding cross contamination of samples; and processing solid waste debris and soils. It also stressed the importance of safety in dealing with hazardous materials.
</p><p>In addition to two-days in the field, participants received a day in the classroom with lessons on the history of environmental enforcement, hazardous substances and toxicology, officer health and safety, personal protection devices and work practices; detection and monitoring equipment; and proper ways to handle and analyze evidence.
</p><p>The courses were taught by professional instructors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as local environmental enforcement officials, who provided examples of investigations they have conducted and the challenges they faced. Participanta also were exposed to state-of-the-art equipment and techniques that are used by the EPA to investigate the scene, both to protect public safety and to build cases for prosecution or civil action.
</p><p>Project EnCriPT is part of a national program to strengthen civil and criminal enforcement efforts at the local, county, state, and tribal levels. Originally funded by the EPA, the initiative continues to offer free, online courses for professionals in the field as well as in-person classes across the country. Among its latest online offerings are:<ul>
<li>Advanced Personal Safety </li>
<li>Chain of Custody </li>
<li>Determining Probable Cause </li>
<li>Environmental Crimes 101 </li>
<li>Environmental Sampling Overview</li>
<li>Ethics of Environmental Enforcement</li>
<li>GIS (Geographical Information System) in Environmental Investigations</li>
<li>How to Handle the Media </li>
<li>How to Handle the Media-Cohort </li>
<li>Illegal Dumping of Nonhazardous Waste </li>
<li>Interviewing Techniques</li>
<li>Introduction to Environmental Investigations </li>
<li>Parallel Proceedings</li>
<li>Personal Safety for Environmental Enforcement Professionals</li>
<li>Report Writing </li>
<li>Search Warrants: Planning & Execution </li>
<li>Soil Sampling</li>
<li>Water Sampling</li></ul>
</p><p>For future live and online opportunities, visit <a href="http://www.encript.org">Project EnCriPT </a>or contact Program Coordinator Andrea Hoke at (936) 294-3702 or ahoke@shsu.edu.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-9987278499204802232017-03-14T14:36:00.000-07:002017-04-13T15:00:30.772-07:00Homeland Security Studies Moving Graduate Program to The Woodlands Center <div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/TWC.jpg" alt="The Woodlands Center"> <h3>
Security Studies</h3>
The master's program in Homeland Security Studies is moving to The Woodlands Center in the fall for new graduate students.</div>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMR5eQQLNCjS3pX5-gd_vgTdXGLdPBiwD7da68NxyApp1o5X1-WZiy9WNg5ehL3H1KSdARP7puitDRZGFoMfaSWqcNIsp-XjiYmddRGJbvBACPihWttGUYz2Pkds1RyXB-qoihIG_U4Y/s1600/TWC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMR5eQQLNCjS3pX5-gd_vgTdXGLdPBiwD7da68NxyApp1o5X1-WZiy9WNg5ehL3H1KSdARP7puitDRZGFoMfaSWqcNIsp-XjiYmddRGJbvBACPihWttGUYz2Pkds1RyXB-qoihIG_U4Y/s1600/TWC3.jpg" /></a></div>The master’s program in Homeland Security Studies will be moving to The Woodlands Center in the fall to accommodate better students and professionals in businesses and government agencies in the greater Houston region.
</p>
<p>
The program will continue to offer classes in Huntsville for the current cohort of second year masters’ students, as well as undergraduate classes for the Homeland Security Studies minor. The Department of Security Studies provides options to take graduate courses through online or face-to-face classes.
</p>
<p>
“We are looking to make the program increasingly accessible for folks working in the field within the Homeland Security Enterprise, while providing an opportunity for younger students to get experience by taking classes with veterans working in the discipline,” said Nadav Morag, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Security Studies. “it’s a win-win for students and professionals alike.”
</p>
<p>
The 36-hour master’s program also will offer three different tracks to address the unique needs of each student. The capstone/internship option provides an opportunity to work part-time for agencies or businesses in homeland security and present a shorter research paper on practical or policy issues. For those interested in academic pursuits, thesis track candidates produce a substantial scholarly research paper on issues of significance to the field. Finally, the third track allows working professionals to write a shorter research paper and to take an extra elective course.
</p>
<p>
To serve working professionals, in-person classes will be offered in the evening. The presence of practitioners will enhance the learning experiences for other students as they discuss real world issues and scenarios in the discipline.
</p>
<p>
The security studies program has grown significantly in the last few years, with nearly 100 students enrolled in the graduate program from across the state, nation, and world, including active military personnel in Germany and Afghanistan. With more undergraduate students signing up for security studies classes or the minor, the Department is working on offering an undergraduate degree in Homeland Security Studies in the future.
</p>
<p>
To address the growth, the Department will add a new faculty member this fall. Natalie D. Baker, Ph.D., currently is an assistant professor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. She specializes in emergency management and public health issues, most recently completing a study on the Ebola scare in the United States. She also conducted other research examining the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and earthquake preparedness in southern California.
</p>
<p>
The Department also is assembling an Advisory Board of leaders in the Homeland Security Enterprise to ensure that the curriculum offered remains relevant to the field. The advisory board also will help the program to develop new classes as the discipline evolves.
</p>
<p>
The Homeland Security Studies program delivers core courses in the foundations of security studies, unconventional threats, research methods, critical infrastructure protection, security and management, emergency management, ethics and law, and a global perspective. Electives include cybersecurity, Information and Intelligence, and other Special Topics. Summer classes also are available online.
</p>
<p>
The deadline to apply for the fall semester is July 1. For more information, contact Vivian Carlson at vxc003@shsu.edu or (936) 294-1646 or visit <a href=http://www.shsu.edu/academics/criminal-justice-old/departments/security-studies/index.html>The Homeland Security Studies web site. </a>
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-35035801885804205202017-03-14T09:22:00.000-07:002017-04-06T09:34:06.959-07:00Safeguard Officer Mental Health<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/LEMIT.jpg" alt="best online logo"> <h3>
Research</h3>
Learn how to safeguard officers' mental health and build resiliency in your agency from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z4jdD8v_8YojqQrhxLogyD_4UyyA_7pfTlCxIQ1CoFDOpErQaoGJuJtdxyDIBll4MIVaf4aPmpIH1wZzKGe1G9a4MYUebOixshCFtVXpxUnDmgQuq1BG_pJNK2nOuIMsSSb582Mf4A3y/s1600/helpinghands51091007_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z4jdD8v_8YojqQrhxLogyD_4UyyA_7pfTlCxIQ1CoFDOpErQaoGJuJtdxyDIBll4MIVaf4aPmpIH1wZzKGe1G9a4MYUebOixshCFtVXpxUnDmgQuq1BG_pJNK2nOuIMsSSb582Mf4A3y/s400/helpinghands51091007_l.jpg" width="400" height="267" /></a></div><p>The National Alliance on Mental Illness has been working collaboratively with police professionals and professional organizations on ways to build officer and agency resiliency. NAMI has made resources available for police leaders to begin addressing this significant issue. <a href="http://www.lemitonline.org/research/issues.html">Read more</a>bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-73613806965539012502017-02-13T07:21:00.000-08:002017-03-06T10:35:35.693-08:00Countering Radicalization in Terrorism, Hate Groups, Gangs in Communities, Prisons and Jails<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blogger/Radicalization2.jpg" alt="flyer for Radicalization"> <h3>
Radicalization</h3>
LEMIT and CMIT will present a three-day conference on radicalization, including terrorism, hate groups, and gangs, and how to combat the issue in communities, prison and jails. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT0wGCbjCEbnf6_k6v5fsscStfH8a1qKuFaSMtQBX1Vwta3dTx48w-K5A4S7Ap7bIjjAQJHRB58zA7ChN36SiYiJr09JfmRlMQoukyBPUe7kGTC22KniLQRa1RqbCXwddIwBy_LunXss/s1600/Radicalization.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT0wGCbjCEbnf6_k6v5fsscStfH8a1qKuFaSMtQBX1Vwta3dTx48w-K5A4S7Ap7bIjjAQJHRB58zA7ChN36SiYiJr09JfmRlMQoukyBPUe7kGTC22KniLQRa1RqbCXwddIwBy_LunXss/s1600/Radicalization.jpg" /></a></div><p>The Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) and the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) are teaming up to share information on the radicalization of terrorists, hate groups, and gangs in an effort to build networks to combat the problem in Texas and beyond.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>“Countering Radicalization,” a three-day conference scheduled for March 29-31 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, is designed to help law enforcement, intelligence, corrections, probation, and parole agencies understand the radicalization threat and to share information to counter issues at the local and regional levels. The conference will feature experts in the field from international, national and state perspectives in law enforcement and corrections.
</p><p>“The reason to come together is not only to understand the radicalization process, but how law enforcement, corrections, and the intelligence communities can combat activities in and outside of the country,” said James Senegal, Director of Professional Development at LEMIT.
</p><p>The conference will highlight the origin, development, and impact of radicalization as well as strategies and interventions used by different agencies to combat the problem. The conference will help create networks of professionals in the criminal justice system to share information and to stop the growth of terroristic groups in their own communities.
</p><p>“Our focus is on bringing law enforcement, intelligence and correction officials together to become informed about the lessons learned from the speakers and to discuss initiatives and efforts from the federal level as well the state level,” said Doug Dretke, Executive Director of CMIT. “We become better informed which leads to enhanced and improved intelligence and networking to minimize radicalization in our communities and in the criminal justice system.”
</p><p>Participants can earn up to 16.5 hours of credit from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The registration deadline is March 15, and the cost of the program is $250.
Among the speakers scheduled to attend are:<ul>
<li><strong>Nadav Morag</strong>, Chair, Department of Security Studies, Sam Houston State University, “Global Trends in the Growth of Radical Extremism” </li>
<li><strong>Andrew Bringuel II </strong>, Counter Violent Extremism, Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Radical Extremism – Emerging Trends in the U.S.”</li>
<li><strong>Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Addicott </strong>(U.S. Army, Ret.), Director and Professor, Law Center for Terrorism Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law, “Terrorism Law”</li>
<li><strong>Rupali Jeswal</strong>, Terrorism and Intelligence Analyst, Operational Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, “Radicalization Process, Pathways, Various Roles after Radicalization, Recruitment Process” and “Global Connection of Crime Cartels, Narco Terrorism, Hybrid Gangs in the U.S.”</li>
<li><strong>Allen Beard</strong>, Administrator, Counter Terrorist Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, “Countering Inmate Terrorism”</li>
<li><strong>Supervisory Special Agent Steve Carter </strong>, Correctional Intelligence Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation; <strong>Supervisory Special Agent Dave Fernandez</strong>, Correctional Intelligence Task Force, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, “Radical Extremism – Emerging Trends in the Correctional Environment”</li>
<li><strong>Supervisory Special Agent Hesham Elgamiel</strong>, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Houston, “Homegrown Violent Extremist, Mobilization Indicators”</li>
<li><strong>Capt. Sharon Jones</strong>, Texas Department of Public Safety, “Proactive Prevention of Emerging Trends”</li>
<li><strong>Pedro das Neves</strong>, Chief Executive Officer, Innovative Prions Systems; <strong>Dorin Muresan </strong>, Board Member, International Corrections and Prison Association, “Radicalization Prevention in Prisons – R2PRIS Program”</li></ul>
</p><p>The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion to address issues on how to counter radicalism at the agency level and share information across departments.
</p><p>For more information or to register, visit <a href=http://www.cmitonline.org/cal/?mode=view&item=928>Countering Radicalization</a>.
Lyndi Ruesinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15493090081369212301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-74932709554269793782017-02-03T14:19:00.002-08:002017-03-28T07:14:49.101-07:00LEMIT Focuses on Healthy Dispatchers<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/LEMIT_health.jpg" alt="Health Lecture" > <h3>
Healthy Dispatchers</h3>
LEMIT held an inaugural program for dispatchers in Texas on how to deal with stress and difficult people.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg74ZaKolfUmX4Ks9lFsdeynjuBPHQTn_bZ0n11fTipge0SNGIv40trJkKXFkDB_CLq6o2BS0BT33bKJZ51v7RiwICS1vTic6x_mSg45pL2dKY1WV9jpmYM3PGgKOiUzttryAQetQnL9jp/s1600/Serio+1DSC_1943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg74ZaKolfUmX4Ks9lFsdeynjuBPHQTn_bZ0n11fTipge0SNGIv40trJkKXFkDB_CLq6o2BS0BT33bKJZ51v7RiwICS1vTic6x_mSg45pL2dKY1WV9jpmYM3PGgKOiUzttryAQetQnL9jp/s400/Serio+1DSC_1943.jpg" width="400" height="265" alt="Joe Serio teaches a class for dispatchers from across Texas." /></a></div><p>To serve the emergency services community, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas recently offered a special interactive program for dispatchers to address how to deal with stress and difficult people.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>“Dispatchers are the first point of contact between citizens and the agency,” said James Senegal, Director of Professional Development at LEMIT. “We understand the need to have healthy dispatchers to provide better service to the community and to law enforcement.”
</p><p>Presented by <a href="www.thehealthydispatcher.com">The Healthy Dispatcher</a>, the two-day seminar featured two consecutive training sessions. The first focused on building personal resiliency to stress, and the second focused on dealing with difficult people. The program was attended by 100 public safety dispatchers, dispatch supervisors, training officers, directors, and communications support staff from across Texas. It was co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District.
</p><p>The program was designed and delivered by The Healthy Dispatcher, a training provider specializing in classes for 9-1-1 telecommunicators. The Healthy Dispatcher is comprised of Joe Serio, a Ph.D. graduate from Sam Houston State University, and Adam Timm, a former dispatcher from the Los Angeles Police Department. Serio, owner of Law Enforcement Development Training and author of the Get the Nerve® series to enhance officers’ emotional survival and self-improvement, is an expert in organizational behavior. Timm is a stress resiliency expert who spent more than 10 years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher.
</p><p>“Law enforcement focuses a lot of training on police officers and far less on dispatchers,” said Serio. “Our mission is to help fill the gap. Dispatchers have extremely difficult jobs with inadequate resources and are misunderstood by a lot of their non-dispatch colleagues. Our mission is to give them the tools to thrive in such a challenging environment.”
</p><p>The first session, called “De-Stress & Get More ‘Me’ Time,” discussed physiological and psychological responses to stress and ways to address the challenges. Solutions covered included diet, nutrition, action plans for managing fear, self-management tools for creating more free time, and stress resilience strategies promoting a proactive response instead of habitual reaction. The second session, “Positive Interaction with Difficult People,” explored the impact of stress on quality communication; elements of effective communication, the primary personality types and how to interact with each; strategies for conflict resolution; how to give and receive criticism; and how to reduce the frequency of negative interaction.
</p><p>“Working in 9-1-1 can take a toll,” said Timm. “I found out the hard way. Only by using these tools and strategies myself was I able to make a positive difference. The key to a thriving career in 9-1-1 is understanding how stress can impact your health, and then knowing what to do about it. Increasing resiliency, both in mind and body, is the most important thing a dispatcher can do to stay healthy.”
</p><p>The Healthy Dispatcher will be offered again in the summer, so look for upcoming programs on the LEMIT calendar. For more information about the program, The Healthy contact Senegal at (936) 294-3193 or at jks032@shsu.edu.
bethkuhleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447068093419218378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576921013200792426.post-15486782041882461132017-01-30T08:58:00.000-08:002017-02-07T06:36:41.170-08:00LEMIT Launches Online Offering with Body Worn Camera Course<div class="feature">
<img src="http://www.cjcenter.org/images/blog/Body_Camera.jpg" alt="Body Camera" > <h3>
Online Courses</h3>
LEMIT launches online offerings with a course on body worn cameras.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUuJkOvOhomzIHErEGTlP_4ESAWR_fcxjDjo2_S4TN5bkNvV3WmMRkRLZQywO9dQVK-b2SoJbysNMUCvpikFQZCuntndVzeYZVc5E_Ax5I1emzUtJROeR1Q8pzfPdFK8JrixDwpChXKzJ/s1600/13483507_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUuJkOvOhomzIHErEGTlP_4ESAWR_fcxjDjo2_S4TN5bkNvV3WmMRkRLZQywO9dQVK-b2SoJbysNMUCvpikFQZCuntndVzeYZVc5E_Ax5I1emzUtJROeR1Q8pzfPdFK8JrixDwpChXKzJ/s400/13483507_l.jpg" width="400" height="400" /></a></div><p>The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is developing online courses to address current trends and emerging issues in the field and to provide easy access to professional development opportunities for all certified peace officers in the state.<a name='more'></a>
</p><p>The first program, Body Worn Cameras, will debut in February and will assist agencies in developing policies and practices on the use of these new devices at the local level. Many law enforcement agencies are adopting the new technology to provide more transparency and to reduce allegations of misconduct against officers. The course will cover model policies on the use of body worn cameras; guidelines for the creation, deletion, and retention of recordings; protocols on public, media and employee access to the recordings; and issues to consider when using or purchasing the devices.
</p><p>“Our primary goal is to make sure law enforcement officers get the legislatively mandated information on the role of the camera and to understand their agency’s policy,” said Andrea Hoke, Program Coordinator for the LEMIT course.
</p><p>The program will be taught by Police Chief Sean Mannix of the Cedar Park Police Department, who served on the Body Worn Camera Curriculum Development Committee at the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Participants will earn two hours of TCOLE credit upon successful completion of the course. The cost of the program is $45.
</p><p>This is the first LEMIT class to be delivered in an online environment, where officers can access the curriculum via the internet at their home or office. The course will be available online 24/7 and can be completed at the officer’s leisure.
</p><p>"Online education is a great method to teach participants with limited resources and time,” said Rita Watkins, Executive Director of LEMIT. “I'm so pleased LEMIT launches its online course offerings with body worn camera training. This new offering helps police agencies fulfill a mandate with top caliber education in a virtual platform. We will continue to develop future online course offerings in order to educate and develop Texas peace officers."
</p><p>The Texas Legislature passed a law requiring agencies using body worn cameras to develop policies and procedures on their use. Some of the mandates of the policy include: <ul>
<li>Providing guidelines on when an officer should or should not use the camera based on privacy concerns</li>
<li>Developing provisions on the creation, retention and deletion of video and audio recordings</li>
<li>Offering procedures for public or media access or officer or agency reviews of the recordings</li>
<li>Creating documentation to handle malfunctions of the equipment</li>
<li>Raising awareness that officers are not required to keep cameras activated during the entire shift</li>
<li>Aligning policies with federal and Texas rules of evidence</li></ul>
</p><p>In addition to dealing with policies and procedures, the session will assist officers in the operation and evaluations of body worn camera systems.
</p><p>The Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas presents premier professional development programs for law enforcement agencies to advance 21st Century policing practices in Texas and beyond. The programs serve local and county law enforcement, school and college police, civil and criminal environmental enforcement officers, emergency managers, and others who protect and serve our communities.
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