In an effort to increase applied learning technologies into our academic programs, the Department has developed several lab components that we have included 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 “Resistance to the 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. FACES Software that enables students to sketch descriptions of suspects by utilizing sketch software.  These innovations are consistent with the College’s strategic plan for 2020-2025 specifically student success and strengthening our region's economic future by exposing our students to the available technology that is available in police departments. The Strategic Plan goals will be at the focus for all of our future endeavors as we introduce and advertise the Department’s assortment of practical experiential learning labs that have been introduced over the last several years. We have already conducted several sessions utilizing the Crime Zone software and laptops with our Middletown and Newburgh Criminalistics course as well as our summer camp for elementary school students. The increased demand for this software will require more laptops and software purchases in the future. Recently we were advised by FARO Technologies that the Crime Zone software has been upgraded and we will need additional licenses to upgrade our systems. We also need to replace the FACES software which also recently upgraded.

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

• 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 for this request and was submitted over the last three budgets and no action was taken so we will resubmit for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The result of not funding this initiative is that the Resistance to the Use of Force Simulator will be underutilized and the full potential of this technology (Use by Local PD's, Sheriffs Dept., Some community groups) will not be realized. The Governor's Executive Order #203 will require revised training by all Orange County police department's and It is anticipated that there could be an increase by local law enforcement to access this technology for their respective training programs.  Therefore funding for this initiative has taken on a greater importance. 
• Additional Hardware/Software – In order to remain current with these new technologies, the Department would need additional laptop 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. Based on the information from Faro (the company that produces the software) we will need updated licenses as well as more laptops and we will be seeking funding to purchase them in this budget cycle. This also was submitted in the last 3 years budget request and is resubmitted for this year.
• We will also need to purchase a maintenance contract with the company to insure continued improvement and function of the resistance force simulator.
• The benefits of these programs are many and worth the investment. Two priorities and objectives of the SUNY Orange Strategic Plan 2020-25 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 (BT 117) we will create a marketing avenue that will be visually pleasing to our potential patrons. Such technology has been displayed and demonstrated at our Open Houses as well as other college/community gatherings.
•  Biotech 117 has been dedicated for the Resistance to the use of force simulator and we have conducted several lab sessions with the equipment. I have resubmitted the costs to keep the resistance to force simulator current and in good operating condition and I am also submitting the same recommendation for the 2020-25 budget as well. Thus far we have been able to maintain the system without any repairs needed but sooner or later there can be problems and we will not be prepared to address emergency repairs should they become necessary. It is conceivable that some of the costs could be funded through a CTEA Grant and/or a grant from the Orange County Foundation.
• We recently completed our external review and we will be studying and discussing some of the recommendations over the next few years in preparation for our next review in 5 years. the reviewer recommended that we be funded for an assistant to the criminal justice chair. The assistant should be given a 3 credit abatement each semester
• We are currently in the process of implementing some of the other recommendations of our External Review.
• We are having discussions with the Orange County Chiefs Association regarding the feasibility of developing a partnership in offering Pre-Employment Training. We will be exploring this issue over the next several years.
• In an effort to support the college goal of enhanced student retention and success, we are currently working with the other college partners in the development and implementation of a First Year Experience Course for our criminal justice students.