Public Safety Signals

The recent news of the death of Osama Bin Laden by US forces in Pakistan represents closure for many in the public safety community. Although the threat of the terror attack continuous to loom, a pervasive sense of justice (and relief) is now prevalent to many within the public safety directly, or indirectly [...]

Greetings,
Earlier this week, the United States Attorney General (USAG), Eric Holder announced an initiative to increase law enforcement safety. One of the objectives of the USAG is to ensure the safety of law enforecement officers across the United States, regardless of function or agency.
The USAG announced the initiative due to an [...]

In Q2, Capella is introducing an exciting new public safety/forensics multidisciplinary course, “Forensics Mental Health”, in which learners apply knowledge of the mental health field to a variety of criminal and civil proceedings. Learners examine the ways common mental health practices and procedures are integrated in the legal system, including use of the Diagnostic and Statistical [...]

“The International Association of Chiefs of Police, in a collaborative effort with the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) and The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has released a report: Law Enforcement’s Leadership Role in the Pretrial Release and Detention Process” (IACP, 2011).
http://www.theiacp.org/PublicationsGuides/ResearchCenter/Publications/tabid/299/Default.aspx?v=1&id=1400.

Earlier in the month, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported that beginning on Sunday, January 23, a tragic wave of violence against America’s law enforcement officers took place, with 11 officers shot within a 24 hour time frame in 5 states.
In addition, it was reported that gunfire fatalities has claimed the lives of [...]

We continue to observe the power of social media to shape and inform current events. While many positive effects of social media, including aiding in the dissemination of important information (getting the message out), organizing, and mobilizing are well established, from an LE/CJ perspective, may there also be challenges or potentially negative consequences? What are [...]

We mourn the deaths and injuries of those shot at close range by a reportedly mentally deranged individual with a semi-automatic handgun.
In Tucson, Arizona, on 10 Jan 2011, the alleged gunman, 22-year-old loner, Jared Loughner, reportedly killed 6, including a 9-year-old girl, and wounded more than a dozen others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) of [...]

Thursday, November 25, 2010
This is my fourth year writing this entry on Thanksgiving Day, and it continues to be an honor and a privilege.
Another year has passed without a major terror attack or incident within the United States. Although we are grappling with our responses to natural disasters, overall, we in Public Safety in the [...]

Dean Tiffin, faculty, Capella staff, and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2010 conference, held at the Orange County Convention in Orlando, Florida, October 23-27, 2010.
Over 150 education sessions were offered to attendees. Law enforcement executives presented on current issues and trends while sharing lessons learned. Topics [...]