In an effort to increase applied learning technologies into our academic programs, the Department has developed several lab components that we are planning to implement into a number of our course offerings.

Among them, is Crime Zone/Crash Zone, a CAD program which will allow students to sketch crime scenes and partake in motor vehicle accident scene reconstruction.  Our “Use of Force Simulator” labs will give students the opportunity to actually participate in, and then critique scenarios where the police used forced of one kind or another, including less than lethal force.  We have already incorporated the Mock Criminal Court lab into our Criminal Law Course (CRJ 211). In this lab, students are required to apply learned court room procedures that have been taught through several in class lectures and readings. These sessions have been filmed and a link can be accessed to view the performance of our students. (http://streaming.sunyorange.edu/watch/q6GJr32X)

These innovations are consistent with the College’s strategic plan for 2015-20, specifically awareness and access, student support, collaboration and communication. The Strategic Plan goals will be at the fore, as we introduce and advertise the Department’s assortment of practical experiential learning labs to be introduced over the next 5 years.

In order to enhance the marketability of these program enhancements (mock court, use of force simulator, crime zone/crash zone) and to create a more realistic classroom environment for these labs, we require the following support:

• A dedicated Criminal Justice Lab Room - The Department will utilize this room for all Criminal Justice Labs.  We suggest, BT 119 or 117 as these rooms are large enough to house the costly and bulky equipment and do not have windows which could hinder the performance of the Use of Force Simulator.  We would also store a compliment of lap top computers to be used in the vehicle accident and crime scene reconstruction labs. It is important to note that the Criminal Justice Department would request sole access to this lab room so that this equipment, once set-up, could be calibrated and left intact in the room.  This would save valuable class time and will also serve to extend the life-span of this sensitive electronic equipment.  The lab room could also be utilized by our local law enforcement partners who contributed to the Use of Force Simulator purchase; they could host their training exercises in the lab and perhaps even engage in some joint training with our own security staff (e.g. active shooter scenarios).
• Lab Coordinator- In order for these efforts to be managed properly, we would need a part-time lab coordinator to develop lesson plans for our labs and to assist with instructor requests for lab sessions.  The lab coordinator would also oversee the safe usage and maintenance of the equipment and act as the liaison to our local law enforcement partners when they seek to utilize this equipment.  The lab coordinator should be a full time faculty member who is trained and skilled in the utilization of the aforementioned technologies.  A three credit load abatement per semester should be just compensation and this request will be submitted in this year’s budget.
• Additional Hardware/Software – In order to efficiently incorporate these new additions to our offerings, the Department would need additional lap top computers (to be utilized on both Newburgh and Middletown campuses) that will maximize our student’s access to the Crime Zone and Crime Scene software (that was purchased last year with a CTEA Grant). This year’s CTEA grant will enable us to purchase more licenses and also provide training for our instructors on the Crime Zone/Crash Zone software. In all likelihood, we will need more software licenses and lap tops and we will be seeking funding to purchase them in this budget cycle.
• The benefits of these programs are many and worth the investment. Two priorities and objectives of the SUNY Orange Strategic Plan 2015-20 will be met by these initiatives. By creating these labs we will increase the applied learning opportunities for our students and by conducting them in state of the art facilities we will create a marketing avenue that will be visually pleasing to our potential patrons. Such technology could be displayed and demonstrated at our Open Houses as well as other college/community gatherings
• The dedication of Biotech 117 or 119 for the use of force simulator as well as expansion of the Crime Scene/Crash Zone software will greatly enhance the skill sets of our students and enhance the marketability of our program for new students. I have included the costs of these improvements in the 2017-18 Criminal Justice Budget. It is conceivable that some of the costs could be funded through a CTEA Grant and/or a grant from the Orange County Foundation.
• In addition to our simulator and crime scene initiatives, we are also working with the English Department and the Library towards improving the writing skills of our Criminal Justice students. Writing is a skill that is important in all areas of the criminal justice system (case investigation, legal briefs, probation reports etc.) Recently local police chiefs, who are members of our Advisory Board, have spoken to me about the poor writing ability of many of their police officer candidates. I believe their comments underscore the importance of increasing our efforts to improve our students writing abilities, as many of them will be prominent in the local law enforcement hiring pool. Anne Sandor (English Writing Lab) and Andrew Heinz (Library) have been working with some of the CRJ 101 students and we have had some promising results over the last year with several students turning in papers that may be entered into the SOARS Conference. In order to continue this initiative we may need additional funding (English Department/Library) should we extend the program to all CRJ 101 classes.
• We are currently working with the Movement Science Department to develop a PHYS Ed class that will focus on the physical requirements of many law enforcement agencies.  We are currently exploring the nuances of both the entry level physical fitness test and the physical fitness requirements for police academy graduation. A planned trip to the Orange County Police Academy with the Chairs from Criminal Justice and Movement Science will take place in December of 2016.
• We are also assessing the potential of a Security Management Degree that will prepare students to enter into this growing field. We will be discussing the certification needs with our local security employers and partners.