We intend to continue to develop 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.  We are in the process of upgrading this software and we will need additional resources to fund the upgrade. Cost of the upgrade is approximately $3,000.00. Our “Resistance to the Use of Force Simulator” labs which afford our students with 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 has been, temporarily disabled during the COVID years. We intend to reinstitute this program in the future, however, the system may need an upgrade. We will be assessing the needs in the Spring 2024 semester at which time we will prepare a cost analysis for budget consideration in 2025.

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 increased demand for this software will require more laptops and software purchases in the future. We will also need to upgrade our current laptops which have not been upgraded by IT since their procurement date. 

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 four budgets and no action was taken so we will resubmit for the 2024-25 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. 
• 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 4 years budget request and is resubmitted for this year.
• 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 completed our external review in 2019-20 and will be due for a review in 2025. Most of the reviewer's recommendations have been implemented and documented under separate cover.
• We are having discussions with the Orange County Chiefs Association and we plan on exploring joint ventures to the benefit of local law enforcement as well as the college.
• In an effort to support the college goal of enhanced student retention and success, we have developed with  other college partners the development and implementation of a First Year Experience Course for SUNY Orange students. This is a work in progress and further assessment of this program will be forthcoming.
• We are also involved with the Business Department in the ASAP (Advancing Success in Associative Pathways) initiative. The first class of this program is scheduled for the Spring 2024 semester.