NCJ Number
144918
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The worlds of academic and operational agencies often remain distinct, but a group at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) involved in research on drug abuse issues, juvenile delinquency, and risk control subjects is attempting to bridge the gap between the academic community and several government agencies, including the police.
Abstract
Over time, police officials in Richmond realized the importance of technical job training by or for criminal justice agencies and broad academic education with college credit. This realization resulted in part from the introduction of Federal standards for criminal justice education in 1973. Virginia responded in 1977 with its own recommendation that educational leaders, State planners, and criminal justice personnel meet to plan academic programs in the criminal justice field. A qualified individual was hired at VCU to focus on police training and educational efforts, and a criminal justice studies department was established. The educational curriculum incorporated academic concepts, as well as projects in the community involving drug abuse and high-risk juvenile offenders. The new department, called Justice and Risk Administration, was designed to promote broad educational approaches for police officers. A doctoral program was later created in cooperation with other VCU departments that emphasized educational development, research, and public service. 27 references