{"id":24,"date":"2021-09-20T20:55:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T20:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2021-volume-4-issue-2\/west-hills-college-administration-of-justice\/"},"modified":"2021-12-15T22:28:55","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T22:28:55","slug":"administration-of-justice-grads-make-a-difference-in-local-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2021-volume-4-issue-2\/administration-of-justice-grads-make-a-difference-in-local-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Administration of Justice Grads Make a Difference in Local Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Officer A. Allen graduated high school, she wanted to serve her community as a teacher. But after enrolling at DVC, she wanted to explore another path.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I started taking classes, I realized that teaching was not for me. A family friend, Matthew Morrissey, talked to me about getting into law enforcement. I began taking administration of justice classes at DVC and I was hooked,\u201d said Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Officer

DVC administration of justice alum Officer A. Allen is now a police officer with the Antioch Police Department. Photo courtesy of Officer A. Allen.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

It was no coincidence that Morrissey recommended Allen pursue this path. He himself built an impressive 30-year career in law enforcement. He also graduated from DVC\u2019s administration of justice (AJ) program, and now serves as professor and department chair of that same program.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur AJ instructors are current or retired career professionals. All of us enjoy counseling students in their educational and career pursuits,\u201d said Morrissey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mathew

Matthew Morrissey teaching an administration of justice class at DVC.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Students enrolled in DVC\u2019s administration of justice program are offered numerous opportunities to get a sense of the \u201creal-life\u201d experience of a law enforcement professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went through the program, I had professors who were former police officers, as well as former and current attorneys. They were up to date on current law and were able to provide real- life scenarios that were interactive and interesting to someone like me. In one of my criminal justice classes, we took a tour of San Quentin Prison. It was a really eye-opening experience,\u201d said Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allen was able to find a job right after she graduated from DVC.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was hired by the Antioch Police Department as a police officer. I grew up in Concord, and it means a lot to me to work in a community near where I grew up,\u201d said Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allen also appreciates that community policing is prioritized within the city of Antioch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince I have been employed with the Antioch Police Department, community policing has always been important. I support the Antioch High School softball team by attending practices and mentoring some of the girls. I have also been involved in basketball programs where officers play opposite the high school kids,\u201d said Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allen encourages women to pursue a career in law enforcement if that is a direction they are considering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWorking in law enforcement is a very rewarding career. The Antioch Police Department is my second family. There are so many opportunities for women in law enforcement. In my department, there are only four women officers. Law enforcement is very much still a male-dominated career. Qualified females are in high demand within law enforcement agencies,\u201d said Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Administration of justice at DVC<\/span><\/h2>\n

The administration of justice program at DVC offers both degree and certificate programs for students interested in careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, law, and related fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"administration<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur program teaches basic law and criminal justice, and advanced knowledge and skills in criminal investigation, crime scene forensics, corrections, interviewing and counseling, report writing, cultural diversity, gangs, terrorism, and firearms and self-defense,\u201d said Morrissey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Administration of justice faculty at DVC are aware that recent events have illuminated some of the challenges in law enforcement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur instructors are fully engaged in what\u2019s happening in the world of policing and criminal justice reform, and we are addressing and teaching these topics in our classes. Our course curriculum and student learning outcomes reflect what we teach in the classroom: law and justice, leadership, ethics, integrity, professionalism, cultural understanding and competency, empathy, customer service, communication skills, de-escalation, non-force options, racial and social justice,\u201d said Morrissey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working adults interested in criminal justice or related careers may want to enroll in the Program for Adult College Education (PACE) administration of justice track. PACE participants who choose this track can complete a designated certificate of achievement, an administration of justice associate in science degree or an administration of justice associate in science degree for transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe PACE administration of justice track is an ideal choice for people who work and\/or have family obligations, including working police officers, security personnel, or anyone else interested in a criminal justice career who has not completed their formal college education,\u201d said Morrissey.<\/span><\/p>\n

DVC\u2019s administration of justice program also participates in state-wide conversations and work regarding police and criminal justice reform. The program is also a member of the Regional Joint Venture of Bay Area Administration of Justice programs focusing on these areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe need for highly trained, professional, ethical officer recruits has never been greater, and DVC is meeting the challenge by preparing students for success in a wide range of criminal justice careers,\u201d said Toby Gloekler, adjunct professor for the DVC administration of justice program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A focus on ethics and cultural understanding has been a hallmark of DVC\u2019s program.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to the recent events focused on defunding, reimagining, and proposed closing of juvenile facilities, our department was focused on realignment of adult and juvenile services. Course textbooks, course readers and curriculum focused on the shifts in community-based programs, reentry and reduction of juvenile detention. These are all areas of study students learn about here at DVC,\u201d said Pamela Harrison, adjunct faculty for the DVC administration of justice program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Technology tools<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"fingerprint<\/span><\/p>\n

Students have access to technology tools similar to what are being used by law enforcement officers in the field. This helps to prepare them for transition into their future law enforcement careers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDVC has invested in 3D laser scanning technology, small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAS), fingerprint identification stations, and force-option simulators. These high-technology tools are used in our courses to instruct students in advanced 3D crime scene mapping, fingerprint collection and identification, and the less-than-lethal force options – including non-physical verbal de-escalation in various contact and arrest scenarios,\u201d said Gloekler.<\/span><\/p>\n

Degrees and Certificates<\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/h4>\n

Degrees<\/span><\/h4>\n