Official Newsletter of the Department of Criminal Justice

Transcription

1 Department of Criminal Justice 245 Rivers Building Greenville, NC (252) office (252) fax Official Newsletter of the Department of Criminal Justice Edition Another eventful year has passed and there is much news to share with alumni and friends of the Department of Criminal Justice at East Carolina University. This edition of the Pirate s Plank newsletter recaps happenings during the academic year You are also invited to keep up with departmental developments and activities by visiting our new look website at or Facebook. If you re not a fan, please sign up today! Of course, always feel free to send us an at JUST@ecu.edu or telephone (252) if there is a question or need for more information. By the way, you can help us stay connected with alumni, friends, and the Pirate nation by sending information on contact updates, newsworthy events, or new subscribers to Vicki Taylor Rowe at taylorv@ecu.edu. In This Edition A Message from the Chair 2 Student News Highlights Criminal Justice Career Fair.. 9 Faculty News 3 Criminal Justice Advisory Board Our Global Engagement 4 Friends of Criminal Justice.. 10 Korean Visiting Scholar. 4 Alumni Beat.. 11 ~ 1 ~

2 A Message from the Chair Dr. William P. Bloss This has been another exciting year full of achievements and challenges. Faculty and students have received deserved recognitions while interest in criminal justice studies continues to grow. The Department s reach is expanding as we forge new partnerships, offer innovative courses, and share knowledge at home and abroad. Of course, this is all part of its mission to educate the next generation of criminal justice leaders. New initiatives were launched this year such as the distance education (online) option for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Friends of Criminal Justice donor program. At the same time, the mainstay forensic science and study abroad programs, just to name a few, were again available to interested students. As you will read in this edition of the Pirate s Plank, global engagement is also enhancing research and teaching opportunities for faculty and students. Together, these provide a comprehensive high quality educational experience for students across Eastern North Carolina and beyond. As a complement to the Department s longstanding tradition of exemplary research and teaching, new technologies and educational innovations are being actively explored to better serve our students and communities. Criminal justice study at ECU is distinctive for several reasons. First, the Department has a proven record of academic excellence. Second, it s set in an established institution of higher education known for outstanding leadership in meeting the educational needs of North Carolinians. At ECU, it s true that Tomorrow Starts Here. We value the partnerships with alumni, students, and supporters so you are encouraged to stay connected and keep us apprised of requests and news. After all, it s the best way to remain informed about the department s exciting events. I hope that you enjoy this edition of the Pirate s Plank! Highlights Below are highlights from but keep reading because there is more! New online Master of Science in Criminal Justice distance education admission option for justice professionals completes its inaugural year. For more information visit Korean Visiting Scholar joins the department for 2012 Professor awarded Academic Fellowship in terrorism studies Instructor trains police in Africa Professor recognized as Caribbean crime expert ~ 2 ~

3 Research and development services available to criminal justice agencies Study abroad program to UK and France conducted MSCJ graduate students present research at national conference Research team completes the Greenville Crime Study Three new faculty to join the department 2012 Career Fair held on campus CJ student selected for prestigious FBI internship New criminal justice programs being explored Faculty News Three new faculty members will join the department in the fall 2012 semester Dr. Jonathan Sorensen, Dr. Abdullah Cihan, and Ms. Heidi Bonner. Dr. Sorensen is a nationally recognized expert on capital punishment and corrections who has authored a number of highly acclaimed books and articles. Dr. Cihan, who also holds a law degree, specializes in criminological theory and quantitative research methods while Ms. Bonner s teaching and research focus on law enforcement issues. Faculty made a number of important scholarly contributions in Department professors published three books, two book chapters, and nine journal articles. Additionally, they presented 18 conference papers relating to their research. Presentations were given at meetings held by the European Society of Criminology, American Society of Criminology, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Southern Criminal Justice Association, and North Carolina Criminal Justice Association. These intellectual contributions not only benefit the academic and criminal justice communities but help to reduce crime effects by informing educators, practitioners, and policy makers. Faculty Expertise Available to Agencies Department faculty is available to assist criminal justice agencies with their research and development needs. Professors can provide expertise to law enforcement and correction agencies in areas such as survey research, program evaluation, training, need assessment, and employment screening. Each is an experienced researcher able to bridge cutting-edge applications with best practices. Recent projects include helping agencies with grant writing, grant-affiliated program evaluation, accreditation-mandated survey research, and officer ~ 3 ~

4 specialized training. For more information, contact Dr. William Bloss, or visit the Department website at Korean Visiting Scholar Conducts Research Korean Visiting Scholar Ms. Sun-OK Shim will spend 2012 conducting research and collaborating with faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice. Ms. Shim is employed by the South Korean Ministry of Justice and is Director of the Daejeon Electronic Monitoring Center. She obtained a law degree from Ewha Woman s University and has over twenty years experience in probation, parole, and electronic monitoring of offenders. Ms. Shim is studying the electronic monitoring technologies and applications used with U.S. defendants and offenders supervised in the community. Dr. Mark Jones and others are collaborating with Ms. Shim on community correction research. Ms. Shim's presentation to faculty Professor Awarded 2012 Academic Fellowship Professor William Bloss has been awarded a 2012 Academic Fellowship in Terrorism Studies by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, DC. The fellowship program entails study in Israel at Tel Aviv and Ariel Universities, seminars conducted by the Israel National Police, Israel Defense Forces, and Israeli intelligence services coupled with research on regional terrorism in the Middle East. Bloss joined a group of academic Fellows from the U.S. and Canada to study counterterrorism strategies in Israel firsthand. As pictured below, lectures and demonstrations were also held at Israeli police and military bases. Dr. Bloss specializes in comparative and international crime and terrorism. His latest article Terrorism and Organized Crime: A Protean Connection (2012) analyzes the relationship between terrorism and organized criminal activity. ~ 4 ~

5 West Bank security wall IDF military post Israeli Border Police Unit Police Bomb Unit Police K-9 Unit Instructor Trains South Sudan Police In collaboration with the United Nations, forensic science instructor Dennis Honeycutt conducted crime scene investigation training for the new South Sudan Police Service in October The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 to become the latest nation state to join the United Nations. A number of governments and international organizations are helping South Sudan develop infrastructure and provide services in areas such as criminal justice. Mr. Honeycutt trained South Sudanese police officers in crime scene investigation and evidence collection in Juba, the national capital. Honeycutt, who coordinates the Forensic Science program, is a nationally certified crime scene expert and former agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. He joined the adjunct faculty in 2005 and is the principal instructor and advisor for the Minor in Forensic Science program. Instructor Honeycutt at crime scene South Sudan police trainee Professor s Expertise Sought on Caribbean Crime Assistant professor Dr. Patrice Morris has established an international reputation as an expert on crime and gangs in the Caribbean. Her recent article on urban homicide in Jamaica, ~ 5 ~

6 published in the prestigious British Journal of Criminology, contributed to her standing as an authority. Dr. Morris expertise was sought for a January 2012 newspaper article when the Virgin Island Daily News interviewed her about homicides in the Virgin Islands. The article can be found at In February 2012, Professor Morris was invited to be a guest speaker at the Gangs and Gang Violence in the Caribbean Symposium hosted by the American University in Washington, DC. She joined other Caribbean crime academic specialists to discuss trends in criminal violence and victimization in the West Indies. New Global Affiliations Explored Linnaeus University Professor Joachim Martinsson of The School of Social Sciences at Linnaeus University in Kalmar and Växjö, Sweden met with Dr. William Bloss to discuss faculty and student exchanges. Linnaeus is one of two Swedish universities that have an international study agreement with ECU. Linnaeus plans to expand the Criminology program in conjunction with a new Swedish National Police education facility (see For more information on ECU international study programs, visit the Office of International Affairs at A proposed academic certificate in International Law, Security, and Terrorism with the University of Reading School of Law in Great Britain is also being considered as another international study opportunity for criminal justice students. The certificate would be available to both undergraduate and graduate students who would complete approved courses at ECU then attend summer classes at the University of Reading. These would join other exchange and study abroad programs already available for criminal justice students at ECU. Greenville Crime Research Partnership In 2011, the Department of Criminal Justice was asked by the Greenville Special Task Force on Public Safety to conduct research on citizen fear of crime and police satisfaction in the city. The funded project began in August 2011 and was completed in January A faculty research team comprised of Dr. William Bloss (principal investigator), Dr. Patrice Morris (coprincipal investigator), and Mr. Daniel Lytle (co-principal investigator) guided the project. Participants also included undergraduate and graduate criminal justice student volunteers, graduate research assistants, and the ECU Center for Survey Research. Over several months interviewers collected questionnaire data by telephone from Greenville residents. ~ 6 ~

7 A report on the research findings was published in January 2012 and Dr. William Bloss presented the summary to the Greenville City Council in March. Essentially, the study found that Greenville residents reported a low fear of crime with the greatest safety concern being in area parks. Many citizens ranked speeding and burglary as the foremost crime and disorder worries in their neighborhood. A high percentage (82-93 percent) of city-wide respondents expressed satisfaction with Greenville police professionalism, competence, and performance. The research partnership with the Greenville Police Department (GPD) plays an important role in the Department of Criminal Justice s effort to contribute to a safer Greenville. Recently, department researchers joined with the GPD on a federal grant proposal dealing with gang and gun violence suppression. Dr. Bloss at Greenville City Council Professor Mark Jones Honored Dr. Mark Jones was honored in April as the recipient of the 2012 Chair s Faculty Excellence Award. The award is given each year to the faculty member who demonstrates a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service; promotes teamwork; and contributes to department success. In addition to being a teacher-scholar, Professor Jones coordinates the department s internship programs and serves the academic profession and community in several capacities. He holds committee posts in the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and is a Pitt County Crime Stoppers Board member. Dr. Jones (left) receives award ~ 7 ~

8 Student News Graduate Students Present Research at National Conference Master s students Brittany Ausley and Rachel Frazier presented their research findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology held November, 2011 in Washington. Their research, supervised by Dr. Patrice Morris, examined comparative homicide trends around the globe. Pictured below are Ms. Ausley and Ms. Frazier with renowned criminologists (left) Professor Al Blumstein (Carnegie-Mellon University) and (right) Professor Richard Felson (Penn State University). Ausley/Frazier with Prof. Blumstein Ausley/Frazier with Prof. Felson MSCJ Graduate Student Featured Graduate student Bradley Williams was featured in the March 2012 edition of the College of Human Ecology s CHE Chatter publication. Williams, ECU class of 2011 and current MSCJ graduate student, commented on the benefits derived from an undergraduate internship with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). In addition to excelling in academics, Bradley has distinguished himself as President of the ECU chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society, departmental Graduate Assistant, and co-author (with Dr. William Bloss) of a paper titled Justice Reinvestment Act: Examining North Carolina s Legislative Construction of Criminal Justice presented at the North Carolina Criminal Justice Association 2012 annual meeting held in Raleigh. He plans to complete his ~ 8 ~

9 Master s degree in 2013 and pursue a career in law enforcement with a North Carolina agency. To read the full article visit Career Fair 2012 The annual Criminal Justice Career Fair was held on February 22 in the Mendenhall Student Center. This year s event was a tremendous success attracting representatives from a broad spectrum of justice agencies, armed forces, and law schools. Students from ECU and area community colleges were invited to discuss career options and employment opportunities with federal, state, and local recruiters. Agency additions at the 2012 Fair included the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), U.S. Army Military Police (K-9) from Ft. Bragg, NC, and Raleigh, NC Police Department, among others. Student Selected for FBI Internship Criminal justice student Katie Thalhamer has been selected for the FBI s prestigious internship program in the 2012 fall semester. She is an Air Force ROTC student and double major in Criminal Justice and French who competed with students from around the nation for a position with the storied federal law enforcement agency. All undergraduate criminal justice majors are required to complete an internship for the BSCJ degree. Congratulations to Katie for this outstanding achievement! ~ 9 ~

10 Department News Forensic Science Honors Seminar Offered Forensic science instructor Dennis Honeycutt is teaming up with Dr. Anthony Kennedy in the Department of Chemistry to teach an ECU Honors College seminar titled the Science of Forensics in Together, the two instructors designed a multi-disciplinary course which explores forensic science from crime scene to laboratory as students learn about crime scene preservation, evidence collection, and analytical chemistry applications. Honeycutt, who is the principal instructor in the Minor in Forensic Science program, will teach the criminal investigation portion while Dr. Kennedy guides students through the fundamentals of forensic analysis. Advisory Board Recognized In its fall meeting the Criminal Justice Advisory Board discussed curricula, scholarships, and program development strategies. Dr. William Bloss presented members with a certificate of appreciation for their dedicated service. The Board consists of distinguished criminal justice, educational, and community leaders who provide the Department input on programmatic matters. Sheriff Neil Elks awarded certificate Friends of Criminal Justice Membership Available The Friends of Criminal Justice completed its inaugural year. This program gives supporters a way to designate gifts specifically for Department of Criminal Justice programs. While criminal justice students have been benefiting from the generosity of supporters for years, donor contributions through a Friends membership help sustain criminal justice education at ECU. If you have not already joined, please consider adding your name to the list of donors at one of the giving levels. For more information, visit the department website or contact Kathy Brown at the ECU Foundation (brownk@ecu.edu; ) or Dr. William Bloss. ~ 10 ~

11 Department s Organizational Status Decided ECU s Program Prioritization Committee Final Report In May 2011, Chancellor Steve Ballard established the Program Prioritization Committee (PPC) to conduct a self-study of academic programs at East Carolina University. The impetus for the study was the economic troubles caused by a series of drastic reductions in state appropriations to the University. The Committee s task was to analyze academic department performance in order to identify ways to reduce cost and improve efficiency. Among the possible changes was to reduce or eliminate academic programs/departments/colleges or reorganize the University by consolidating one or more units. Like other academic programs, the Department of Criminal Justice collected, analyzed, and reported data ( ) on student enrollment, faculty productivity, and operational costs. The information was used to assess departmental productivity, efficiency, and University organizational placement. All Colleges and academic Departments in the University were subject to the analyses. Since the PPC recommendation options included eliminating the Department, consolidating it with the Department of Political Science, or moving it to the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, there was tremendous uncertainty about its organizational status next year. However, after completing the year-long study the PPC recommended no substantial changes for the Department. Hence, the Department of Criminal Justice will remain in the College of Human Ecology with no modification of leadership or operations at the departmental or college levels. Alumni Beat Congratulations to Joe Bartlett upon being named the interim Chief of Police for the Greenville, NC Police Department. Joe obtained a BS and MPA from ECU and has been with the Greenville Police Department since Congratulations to Erin and Lee Meeks on the birth of their son Bradley Griffin May 18, Lee is an officer with US Probation and a CJ Advisory Board member. Condolences are extended to the family of Johnnie Umphlett. Johnnie passed away unexpectedly while working in Dubai, UAE. He served as a law enforcement officer formerly with Greenville PD, ECU-PD, and the NC State Bureau of Investigation. Ms. Jennifer Hoefling (MSCJ class of 2012) will join the department as an adjunct instructor this fall to teach juvenile justice courses. ~ 11 ~

12 Homecoming 2012 Put it on your calendar! All alumni are cordially invited to the Criminal Justice Alumni Reception on Friday October 12, 2012 from 4:00-6:00 pm. in the Rivers Building on campus. This event is being held in conjunction with ECU Homecoming weekend festivities. A reminder will be sent out in the fall. ~ 12 ~