Public Safety Blog - Public Safety Discussion

Tragedy in Arizona

2011 Jan 9 Posted by Charles

Best wishes for recovery to Congresswoman Giffords and to the other victims of yesterday’s shooting in Arizona.

Condelences go out to all of those families who lost loved ones during this attack.

One of those killed was a 9 year old girl, who was born on 9/11/01. There are no words for me that can describe this type of violence begin perpetrated in our great country.

As senseless as this violence was, it is unthinkable to me that this could have been motivated by political ideals.

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In Memory of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry

2010 Dec 18 Posted by Steven

On Tuesday, December 14, 2010, elite U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was mortally wounded near Rio Rico, Arizona. He succumbed to his wounds early in the morning on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
Agent Terry, 40 years old, was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, had served with the United States Border Patrol for 3.5 years, earned a degree in criminal justice, and had previously served as a police officer with the Lincoln Park, Michigan, Police Department.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brian’s family, friends, and colleagues. He served his country with valor and distinction, sacrificing his life to help prevent Mexico’s bloody drug war from spilling across the border into the United States.

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Capella Dean named to Chicago’s top 25 women

2010 Dec 15 Posted by Charles

Congratulations to Dr. Feranda Williamson, Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies at Capella University for being named to Chicago’s list of top 25 women! Dean Williamson has lead the public safety programs in her school and helped launch the B.S. (and B.S. to M.S.) degrees in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Congratulations Feranda!

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Giving Thanks for Public Safety

2010 Nov 25 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

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 United States have a lot to be thankful for on this day.

Although we have a significant amout of brave troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and the Korean Penninsula powder keg is heating up again, I am wholly confident given the quality of personnel serving in the US Military is keeping us in safe hands.

I would like to reiterate that the Public Safety enterprise for the United States is a global, 24 hour/7 day a week/365 day a year operation. As of this writing, personnel that are ensuring our public safety range from our military personnel on Patrol on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, police officers on Patrol in Los Angeles, to ICE Border agents along the Canadian and Mexican borders, and to hospital workers in Cleveland.

Unfortunately, ensuring Public Safety does not take a Holiday.

One of the most stressful aspects for Public Safety personnel is working weekends, evenings, and especially Holidays. While we are enjoying our Turkey and Football and spending time with our families and friends on this day, please remember those who are out there for everyone’s safety.

Take care and have a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Joe Pascarella

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Salute to Veterans!

2010 Nov 11 Posted by Charles

A Veteran’s Day salute to all military veterans! Thank you very much for your service to our country!

As a veteran myself, I understand your service and sacrifice. I’m proud to say that Capella University has recently been recognized as a military friendly school and has the Yellow Ribbon designation as well.

Stay safe and well.

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International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2010 Conference

2010 Oct 29 Posted by Steven

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 from past conferences included, but are not limited to, strategies for leading change in police culture, how to survive a vote of no-confidence, online learning and operational support, public law enforcement and private security collaboration, violent crime, use of force issues, training, and case studies. The following in-booth presentations were made by Capella faculty members: “Developing Police Leaders: A British and American Perspective”, by Dr. John Hawkins; “Leadership, Assessment and Best Practices”, by Dr. Enid Conley; and “How to Develop a Leadership Mentoring Program in Your Agency’, by Dr. Mike Webb.

IACP assembled the newest products and the latest technologies at the largest exposition designed specifically for law enforcement. More than 800 companies showcased their products and services geared towards law enforcement.
One of the top reasons law enforcement executives attend IACP is the unique opportunity to network with their peers. The educational sessions and exhibit hall allowed for formalized information and sharing opportunities.

Regards, Steven

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Multidisciplinary Panel Discussion

2010 Oct 28 Posted by Steven

Along with Dean Charles Tiffin, and Associate Dean Suzanne Holmes, it was my distinct pleasure to attend a Capella University sponsored panel discussion, held on Friday evening, Oct. 22, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, in conjunction with Capella’s PhD colloquium. The highly informative, multidisciplinary discussion focused on best practices in a hypothetical pandemic crisis – masterfully moderated by Aaron Brown. Many of the industry’s successes and opportunities for growth and collaboration were highlighted. The panelists included:

• Aaron Brown; Facilitator/Moderator
A recipient of numerous awards for journalism, Brown has covered some of the world’s most memorable news stories. He is the first Walter Cronkite Professor of Journalism at Arizona State University in Tempe, and is an anchor on PBS’ Wide Angle.

• John Hawkins, PhD; Lothian & Borders Police, Scotland
A recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, Hawkins is a senior British police officer and an adjunct member of faculty at Capella University. His areas of interest are leadership and leadership development within the public service arena.

• Theresa Kyzar, RN, MSN, MBA; Northwestern State University (NSU)
Kyzar is a frequent speaker at national and international professional nursing organizations. She is an assistant professor at NSU’s College of Nursing in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a health management consultant to long term care companies in the southeastern U.S. Kyzar is earning her PhD in Health Care Administration at Capella University.

• Charles Little, DO, FACEP; University of Colorado Denver
As medical director of emergency preparedness at the University of Colorado and The Center for Integrated Health and Disaster Preparedness, Little led the hospital response during the H1N1 outbreak. He developed the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment pandemic triage and treatment policies.

• Justin Lombardo, PhD; VP & CLO Children’s Medical Center, Dallas
Lombardo has more than 10 years of experience building integrated learning and development systems for large academic medical centers in adult and pediatric settings. He has served on advisory boards on workforce development at the regional, national and international level.

• Joyce Anne Wainio, MHA; VP National Center of Healthcare Leadership (NCHL)
Wainio is responsible for supporting the work of NCHL Councils and networks, program development, and coordinating content for the NCHL’s external communications. Her career has spanned work in innovative non-profit healthcare organizations, the Federal government, national and state associations, and hospital management.

• Tyler Zerwekh, MPH, DrPH; Memphis & Shelby County Health Department
Zerwekh oversees the pollution control, vector control, environmental sanitation, and emergency preparedness programs as the deputy administrator for the Environmental Health Services Bureau at the Memphis and Shelby Health Department.

Following the panel discussion a ceremony was held to celebrate the three winners of the Capella University’s Public Service Challange. They received either a $10,000 scholarship to Capella University, or a $10,000 charitable donation to an approved organization of their choice.

Regards, Steven

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Forensic Certificate

2010 Oct 27 Posted by Charles

A new certificate (non-degree option) just announced by Capella University helps support forensic education and practitioners

From the Business Wire: Capella’s Interdisciplinary Forensics certificate offers a perspective not often found in forensics studies. While many offerings focus on a single forensic discipline, Capella’s certificate provides a broad overview of forensics and its foundations in physical and behavioral sciences, technology, and the law. “Forensics encompasses a wide range of disciplines and situations that deal with legal rules and procedures,” said Charles Tiffin, PhD, dean of Capella’s School of Public Service Leadership. “We think Capella’s certificate will be most relevant for public safety and mental health professionals whose work intersects with the legal system, but it would also be valuable to public service, health care, or legal professionals who want to better understand forensics in order to more powerfully advocate for causes and clients within the legal system.”

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Greetings!

2010 Oct 26 Posted by Steven

I am very pleased to join the Public Safety Signals team of contributors. My hope is to provide relevant commentary on current and important issues in the exciting, rapidly growing, and broad field of public safety.

Go well and stay safe! – Steven

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