Administration of Justice

Objective:
Maintain academic excellence and exceptional service to students, staff, faculty and community through acquisition of appropriate technology. Currently, AOJ’s ability to meet student and community demands is severely limited, especially in the Forensic Technology program. More students can be served if the AOJ department’s technology resources are expanded.
In order of priority, AOJ’s technology initiatives include the acquisition of:

1. Thirteen (13) additional digital cameras
2. Two (02) Computer Monitor (flatscreen)
3. Fifteen (15) Glock model 17, 9mm handguns
4. Alternative Light Source (ALS)
5. Other items listed in 2004-2007 Technology Plan

Names of Primary Participants:

P.J. Ortmeier, Ph.D., Coordinator, AOJ
Kathy Sentz, AOJ Assistant
Larry Fregia, AOJ Adjunct Instructor
Robert “Mike” Callison, AOJ Adjunct Instructor
Mark Michel, AOJ Adjunct Instructor
Keith Sears, AOJ Adjunct Instructor
 
Indicators of Success:

• Increase maximum student limit for impacted courses.
• Reduction in the number of students on course priority wait lists.
• Reduction in the number of students who must delay graduation due to their inability to enroll in impacted courses.
• Increase course laboratory time efficiency.
• Evaluation by course faculty.

Description
The Administration of Justice (AOJ) Department prepares individuals for entry into as well as promotion in several careers: law enforcement, courts, corrections, forensic technology, security operations and management, and emergency dispatch. Technology utilized within the department has improved significantly in recent years. However, technology and its use are changing rapidly in all public safety arenas. To meet contemporary community needs, the AOJ Department must acquire and maintain appropriate technology.
 
The forensic technology component of the AOJ program, in particular, uses a wide variety of technologies to ensure graduate competitiveness and currency with the technologies used in the field. Instructors are employed in the forensics field and they attempt to keep instructional technology current. Many materials are perishable, and others are worn through extensive use. The credibility of the program rests on the ability to prepare students for employment, and on the assurance that tools and equipment used in classes are relevant to those used in the field.
 
Some of the equipment, notably the microscopes and comparison microscopes, must be refurbished, adjusted and maintained. The equipment list also includes lamps and lenses, with adaptors and accompanying cables, fingerprint comparators, and an alternative light source microscope. The ability to take photographs of evidence with these devices is also critical, since photography is a major portion of a practitioner’s workload. Part of the two-year plan is to secure a maintenance agreement to keep program equipment functioning.
 
With the technological advances in the field, AOJ equipment and supplies requirements are constantly challenged. The need for a dedicated computer lab is still unresolved and will create challenges in the immediate future. Sharing a lab with another department is not always appropriate.
 
Curriculum Impact
New technologies will impact all areas of public safety and security services in the future. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, placed additional and increased technological demands on AOJ-related occupations. New technologies must be integrated with curricula as technological advancements occur.
 
The first priority is to maintain current technology and equipment. With the development of new technologies, the need to upgrade and augment existing technology is certain. The ability to deliver quality instruction and expose students to the latest technology is a critical issue.

Approximate Number of Students Served
The AOJ Department serves approximately 1000 students per semester. Demand for AOJ programs is expected to increase in the future. Federal, State, county, and municipal AOJ agencies as well as private security service providers are expanding as the demand for public safety and security increases. Those currently employed in public safety and security must also upgrade their skill base. In addition, a huge segment of currently employed public safety practitioners are expected to retire within the next few years. Retirements will create additional job openings and increase the demand for AOJ-related training and education.
 
Support Impact
Other than the support currently provided, it is not anticipated that additional technical or personnel support will be required in the next two years.

Year 1 (2004-2005)

Objective
Repair equipment, replace as necessary, and upgrade technology. Secure a maintenance agreement for equipment. Obtain software agreement with AFIX (fingerprinting technology). Add photographic and fingerprint equipment, as well as metal detectors to support law enforcement, corrections, security management, and forensic technology programs. The AOJ department should also acquire additional training and safety equipment for the police academy.
 
Action to Meet Objective
 
 

Year 2 (2005-2006)

Objective
An Alternative Light Source (ALS) will provide students with an opportunity to use ALS technology to detect trace evidence. Additionally, AFIX software access keys will assist with training  a whole class in the automated comparison print process, rather than simply demonstrating it to the students. All law enforcement agencies now use the automated fingerprint systems. The need for a dedicated AOJ computer lab is critical. Steps to acquire or develop a dedicated AOJ computer lab should be made. A dedicated computer lab (located in room 362) is an employer advisory group and a program review recommendation.
 
Action to Meet Objective

Year 3 (2006-2007)

Objective
Live Scan is an electronic fingerprint collection and transmittal system. Digits of the fingers are scanned and transmitted electronically via the internet. The equipment will be used to support instruction in the Forensic Technology, Security Management, and Law Enforcement degree programs as well as the police, corrections and security academies.
 
 
Action to Meet Objective

Back to table of contents