NIJ LEADS Program: Showcasing the Scholars' Work

This conference workshop presentation highlights a few examples of the 'Scholars' work done through the 2014 partnership between the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). NIJ's LEADS Scholars Program develops the research capacity of mid-career sworn law enforcement, civilian law enforcement, and academics who are committed to advancing and integrating science into law enforcement policies and practice. Scholars work covers many law enforcement related topics. Police Officer Perceptions of Peer Support - a descriptive cross-sectional survey to assess officer sentiment in a mid-size department on the peer support programs available to them. Workforce Development - views and sentiments from female Sergeants in a large department regarding rank advancement, looking at influencing factors, barriers, and potential solutions towards proportional representation. First Responder Sexual Assault Training - an evaluation of changes in a department-wide training to all sworn personnel regarding how officers should interact with sexual assault victims, and how initial investigations from first responders should take place. Effective Analysis to Increase Use of Force Accountability - a demonstration of a 'Use of Force Dashboard' that was created, with feedback from the community, as an automated, transparent, mechanism to review a departments use of force data. The department members use this dashboard to review levels of force, weapons or tactics used, recipient demographics, even narratives covering each discrete use of force.

Scott Mourtgos

Lieutenant, Salt Lake City, Utah, Police Department

Lt. Scott Mourtgos is a 15-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD). He is currently the Investigations Division Lieutenant overseeing Person Crimes, including homicide, special victims, robbery & violent crimes, domestic violence, intelligence, and victim advocacy services. He is also the designated Intelligence Commander for the SLCPD as a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Lt. Mourtgos has previously served in patrol, narcotics, bikes, community intelligence, and professional standards. Lt. Mourtgos holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Weber State University, an M.A. in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota, and is a Ph.D. student in the Political Science Department at the University of Utah. His research interests include public perceptions of police use-of-force, use-of-force policy, and the efficacy of investigative techniques with child and adult sexual assault investigations. Lt. Mourtgos is a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development interviewing protocol instructor and board member of the Advisory Board of the Salt Lake County Children's Justice Center. He has published a number of peer-reviewed studies in academic journals, reporting research in the areas of police use-of-force, police attitudes and behaviors, and crime deterrence.

Jacob Cramer, PhD

Analysis Administrator, Tucson, Arizona, Police Department

Jake Cramer is the Analysis Administrator for the Tucson Police Department. At TPD, Dr. Cramer leads the Analysis Division which is responsible for advancing the Department's strategy of effective policing through policy informed by research, advanced applications of data and analysis, and strong community relations. Dr. Cramer was recently recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police with their 40 Under 40 award. Last year, he was among the first of two, nationally, to be awarded as a LEADS Civilian by the National Institute of Justice. 

Eric Dlugolenski

Assistant Professor and Former Police Officer, Central Connecticut State University

Eric Dlugolenski is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Central Connecticut State University. He is a former police officer, having served the community of West Haven, CT for nine years. He held many roles during his tenure. Prior to joining academia, he was the Sergeant of the Professional Standards Division. There he updated the policies and procedures for the department to reflect the demands of 21st century policing. Eric holds a BA in political science from the University of Connecticut (UCONN), an MS degree in criminal justice administration from the University of New Haven (UNH), and is a PhD candidate at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice at UNH specializing in police science. Eric is also a certified Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) instructor. In 2019, Eric became a National Police Foundation Fellow and a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Scholar. Eric is a member of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing (ASEBP) and is a passionate advocate for evidence-based policing. He believes in building bridges with resource-challenged communities, advancing the professionalism of police service through organizational processes, and creating institutional cultures that promote officer resiliency. Eric is proud to be part of the national conversation on police reform.  His research interest include: procedural justice, police operational strategies, officer health and wellness, and police organizational management. His dissertation research looks at the the combination of order-maintenance policing and procedural justice delivered via foot patrols. 

Tara Coffey

Captain, New York City Police Department

Captain Tara Coffey has served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years and is currently assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Information Technology Bureau's Project Management Office.  She recently served as the Executive Officer of the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway, Queens.  During her tenure, she has held patrol assignments and worked for various units in the Department to support and lead data analysis and research. She has previously worked in the Real Time Crime Center, and for the offices of the Police Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives, and Management Analysis and Planning. Captain Coffey has managed and supported the Department's research partnerships, and contributes to internal research for priority initiatives. She was selected by the National Institute of Justice as a Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Scholar in 2018.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
NIJ LEADS Program: Showcasing the Scholars' Work Conference Workshop Presentation
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
IACP Credit Hours and Certificate of Attendance
1.00 IACP Credit Hours credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 IACP Credit Hours credit  |  Certificate available