Skip to main content

School of Technical & Professional Specialties

Department of Criminal Justice

The Department of Criminal Justice is part of the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) located at the Larry H. Miller Campus in the Public Safety Education and Training Center (9750 South 300 West Sandy, Utah 84070). The SLCC Department of Criminal Justice supports one of the largest domestic industries in the United States; therefore, our program offerings are aligned with the fastest growing fields of study, and with a high success rate of graduates finding jobs within their chosen field (more information click here and here). Criminal justice is a multidisciplinary field influenced by sociology, economics, anthropology, psychology, which is grounded in the liberal arts, behavioral and social sciences. Our Criminal Justice programs provide students with an outstanding, rigorous, equitable, diverse, just, community-engaged, and inclusive professional education to foster essential skills, networking, theory, and knowledge required to be successful within the fields of criminal justice and criminology.

Degrees

Currently, two degrees are offered in the Department of Criminal Justice: an associate of science (AS) degree for students who plan to transfer to a four-year program, and an associate of applied science degree (AAS) for students who plan to go directly into the field. Transfer students should check with an advisor in selection of General Education and elective options to coordinate with the appropriate academic track at the transfer institution.

Career Opportunities

With these highly sought-after degrees by the global work force, students find professional career opportunities in, but not limited to – academia, agency management, ballistics, blood spatter analysis, business administration, civil law, corporate law, criminal law, community organizing, computer forensics, corrections, counseling, counterterrorism, court rooms, crime journalism, crime laboratory analysis, crime laboratory technician, crime scene investigation, crime scene photography, criminal psychology, criminal investigation, drug rehabilitation counseling, forensics pathology, forensic science technology, global and international peacebuilding, human rights, homeland security, judiciary, latent print examination, law enforcement, legal aid, lobbying, mediation, negotiation, nonprofit administration, private or public administration, novelist, peacemaking, peace education, program coordination, politics, property and evidence technology, prison education, probation and parole, search and rescue, social justice activism, social work, victim and survivor advocacy, and youth mentorship.

High Impact Practices (HIPs) Designated Faculty Courses

Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II, PhD

  • CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice – Writing Intensive
  • CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice – Community-Engaged Learning
  • CJ 1300 Introduction to Corrections – Community-Engaged Learning
  • CJ 2410 Introduction to Victimology – Community-Engaged Learning

Julia E. Ellis, MPA

  •  CJ 1340 Criminal Investigation – Community-Engaged Learning

Stephanie L. Hoffma, MSFS, CCSI

  •  CJ 2480 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques – Writing Intensive

High Impact Practices (HIPs) Designated Courses

  • CJ 1220 Justice, Peace, and Conflict Studies – Community-Engaged Learning
  • CJ 2500 Social Violence and Change – Community-Engaged Learning

FAQs

In general, the Associate of Science Degree is designed to transfer and satisfy the general education requirements for a Bachelor's Degree at any four-year public institution in Utah. The courses in the AS degree transfer as electives and many of the core courses will also apply toward major requirements at institutions offering Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degrees. The Associate of Applied Science Degree provides more freedom for course selection and technical training preparing individuals to enter the workforce upon completion.

Criminal Justice students may be eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Eligible students may also receive assistance for the EMT and Law Enforcement Academy training if they are pursuing a Degree in Criminal Justice.

Students who need assistance with the Financial Aid applications can visit the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, the Jordan Campus, or the South City Campus. The Salt Lake Community College also offers students a payment plan for tuition and copies of the application can be obtained from any Cashiering office or online.

Once students have been admitted, they should seek assistance in planning their schedule from the Academic Advising Office; specifically, a Criminal Justice Advisor.

Courses are taught during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semester. The most current schedule for the College in general, as well as the Criminal Justice program specifically, is available online; again, it is helpful to meet with an advisor.

The college has several campus locations, including online. While students choose where they take their courses, the most up to date information concerning course options and location can be found online. Most Criminal Justice lecture courses are located at the Miller Campus and online. A few required and elective course options can be taken at other locations.

The Academic Advising Office can analyze a student's course work and determine readiness to graduate. In order to apply for graduation, students should complete and submit a graduation application and pay the fee to the Graduation Office. Graduation applications are available to all students online. Students should check in with the Graduation Office one term prior to the term in which they plan to graduate.

Although the Associate of Applied Science Degree is not designed for transfer students, the course credit will be transferable. The Associate of Applied Science Degree does not contain a sufficient number of general education courses to satisfy general education requirements at Utah's four-year institutions. The Criminal Justice courses will transfer as electives and some of the courses will articulate and apply toward major requirements. Students transferring with an AAS degree will be required to complete additional general education courses in order to complete a four-year degree.

Course work from accredited colleges and universities will generally transfer to Salt Lake Community College. Determination of the amount of credit to be transferred and the course equivalents at the College will be evaluated by the Transcript Office and the Criminal Justice or other appropriate Department. Prospective students should allow up to six weeks from the receipt of transcripts for evaluation.

Explore Pathways and Courses

CJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (SS, DV)

This course explores theories, concepts, and methods used to facilitate understanding, predicting, and responding to issues of deviance and crime in America. Also includes development and evolution of components in the American Criminal Justice System, including the history of racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination on charging, sentencing, conviction, incarceration, and employment.

CJ 1330 - Criminal Law

Students will learn the sources of law, historical origins of law, functions of law in society, elements of a crime, interpretation of laws by the judicial system, classifications of crime, terms of imprisonment, and criminal defenses. Students will analyze mock scenarios to determine if a crime has occurred.

CJ 1340 - Criminal Investigations

This course teaches students different investigative techniques available to criminal investigators, such as surveillance, undercover operations, interviewing, and wiretapping. Students learn legal parameters of criminal investigations and develop strategies to investigate mock scenarios.

CJ 1350 - Introduction to Forensic Science

This course covers the importance of locating, collection, and preservation of physical evidence at crime scenes and its use in the criminal justice process. Crime laboratory techniques and services in examination of evidence are included.

CJ 2350 - Laws of Evidence

This course teaches students the purpose of the rules of evidence and how to apply the rules of evidence in a trial setting. Students will learn how to apply various rules of evidence related to hearsay, qualifying as a witness, authentication, relevance, and privileges against testifying. Students will analyze mock scenarios to determine if evidence would be admissible at trial.

Select from the Following:

CJ 1220 – Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies

This course explores justice, peace and conflict studies by examining retributive, transformative, punitive and restorative justice. Students will analyze strategies for addressing conflict, such as, mediation and negotiation, while applying four schools of thought - social science, business, legal and humanities; and takes a theoretical and practical look at power, violence, and social control.

CJ 1300 - Introduction to Corrections

This course will provide students with an introduction to the history, function, administration, and concerns of the penal and correctional system.

CJ 1900 - Special Studies in CJ

The course covers independent study in criminal justice. Criminal Justice elective credit may also be awarded for POST, EMT, and other courses offered in Public Safety.

CJ 1910 - Special Function Officer

This course satisfies the Utah POST requirements for a Special Functions Officer Certification for employment as a Utah Corrections Officer, Constable, Ordinance Enforcement, and Limited Reserve Officer. Certification may become active when hired by an agency with Peace Officer authority.

CJ 1920 - Law Enforcement Officer

This course satisfies the Utah POST requirements for a Peace Officer Certification for employment as a Utah Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Conservation Officer, and Park Ranger. Certification may become active when hired by an agency with Peace Officer authority.

CJ 2000 - Criminal Justice Co-op

This course provides for supervised work experience in a public, or private agency related to criminal justice. Must complete specific learning objectives related to the program major and employment.

CJ 2020 - Criminal Justice Leadership and Supervision

Topics covered include work environment, diversity, motivation, discipline, evaluation, planning and leadership. Supervisory report writing is an integral part.

CJ 2300 - Introduction to Policing

This course examines the history, function, and administration of policing and the role of police in modern society. Special emphasis will be placed on current problems and issues confronting police and solutions within an organizational framework.

CJ 2330 - Juvenile Justice

This course examines juvenile crime, trial and sentencing, alternatives to juvenile incarceration, community-based services, and prosecution of juveniles as adults. This course may include laws regarding child abuse, foster care, termination of parental rights, child custody, adoption and the evolving nature of juvenile law.

CJ 2410 - Introduction to Victimology

This course examines the effects of crime and victimization on individuals and society. It further addresses how policy makers and enforcers deal with those who are victimized/survivors, such as current law enforcement, prosecution, victim/survivor resource availability, and legislative trends.

CJ 2420 - Anatomy of a Homicide

This course examines murder in America through media reporting, current and past patterns and trends, individual and social explanations of offending, process dynamics, types of homicide, tools of murder, capital punishment, hidden victims and social policy.

CJ 2450 – Terrorism

This course will examine the history and development of global terrorism in modern society, and the destructive methods, to include bio-terrorism, which terrorists use to accomplish their goals. Students will also explore Government preparedness, response and recovery to the problems associated.

CJ 2460 - Psychological Profiling

This course explains the basic principles and practical techniques involved in profiling, defining, and examining crime. It compares profiling facts to profiling fiction, examines rationale, theories, crime scene analysis, environmental criminology, unique crime scenes and geographical profiling. Crimes analyzed may include arson, murder, and sexual assault.

CJ 2470 - Introduction to Criminology

This course examines the history of criminology, various theories related to crime and criminal behavior, and prevention. Students will explore empirical research surrounding crime and crime prevention, critical criminology, alternative justice systems, deviance, social control, and the law.

CJ 2480 - Crime Scene Processing

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of crime scene investigations and how it applies to the law enforcement community. This course is specifically designed to prepare students to work in the field of forensic technology. The student will process crime scenes, analyze the data, and conduct scientific experiments.

CJ 2500 - Contemporary Violence

This course analyzes various types of violence, occurring nationally and globally, and studies the theories of violence. Students will gain knowledge about topics such as defining violence, assault, murder, torture, brutality, violence in the home, Stranger Danger, rape, sexual misconduct, and sexual assault, terrorism, genocide, just war theory, Unitarianism, and violence prevention strategies.

CJ 2510 - Psychology of Criminal Behavior

This course examines criminal behavior and the psychological, sociological, physical, and biological causes of such behavior.

CJ 2540 - Careers in Criminal Justice and Criminology

This course explores various employment opportunities in the Justice System, to include: law enforcement, corrections, courts, alternatives to incarceration, non-profit and research organizations.

CJ 2920 - Special Topics in CJ

The courses offered under this category are utilized to offer students educational opportunities in current criminal justice issues. This course is an opportunity to teach “one time” topic. This course will allow students to explore specific interests in a CJ topic.

Administrative Staff

cecile Delozier

Associate Dean, Institute of Public Safety
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education and Training Center, 270F
Office: 801-957-5321
E-mail: jdelozi1@slcc.edu

Cecile has a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Public Administration, a Master of Philosophy Degree and a career long commitment to teaching with a strong emphasis on student engagement and successful outcomes. Currently, she is enrolled in a Criminal Justice PhD program with plans to complete her dissertation in 2024.

Cecile comes to SLCC with 18 years of experience in Corrections at the juvenile, county, and state levels. She rose through the ranks from officer to lieutenant at a maximum-security facility, during which she became a master instructor in multiple disciplines, developed classes, and acted as a field training officer. During her last five years she served as the training director for the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This role provided her with an opportunity to work with outside partners, Amend and the Norwegian Correctional Services, The Vera Institute, and The Moss Group on prison reform and innovative approaches to working with justice involved people.

As a consultant and master trainer for Desert Waters Correctional Outreach she worked to improve staff working conditions for corrections departments across the county.

Education

  • Associate of Arts Degree, Bismarck State College ND, 2014
  • Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester NH, 2015
  • Master of Science Criminal Justice Public Administration, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester NH, 2017

Expertise

  • Axon Taser instructor, 2021
  • Simulation Instructor, 2021
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, 2020
  • Prosci Change Management, 2020
  • True Grit-Resilience for Correctional Staff- Master Instructor, 2019
  • Department of Homeland Security’s Leadership for Women in Law Enforcement, 2019
  • Government Quality Improvement Instructor, 2019
  • Corrections Fatigue to Fulfillment Instructor, 2015
  • CPR/AED Master Instructor and Training Center manager since, 2016

Amy Woods

Administrative Assistant, Institute of Public Safety
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education and Training Center, 270
Office: 801-957-5333
E-mail: amy.woods@slcc.edu

Amy Woods is the Administrative Assistant for the Institute of Public Safety and Criminal Justice Department. Amy started her career at SLCC in 2015 working closely with students concerning tuition, fees, and payments. She joins our department with a strong background within customer service and higher education support.

Education

  • Associate of Applied Science Criminal Justice, SLCC, 2021
  • Associate of Science Criminal Justice, SLCC 2022

Expertise

  • Knowledge of college standards as an employee since 2015.
  • Institutional knowledge to support to students, staff, and faculty.

Full-Time Faculty

Chris Bertram, M.B.A., M.A.

Associate Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 270 G
Office: 801-957-5356
E-mail: chris.bertram@slcc.edu

Chris Bertram, M.B.A., M.A. is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. He joined full-time Fall 2016 after serving 6 years as Adjunct faculty member. In addition to teaching full-time he owns a private investigating and consulting company and for the past 8 years has worked as an Adjunct at State University New York (SUNY.) In 1997, he was named the State of Utah’s Deputy Sheriff of the Year by the Utah Sheriffs’ Association. In 2018, he was named the Honorary Sheriff of the Year by the Utah Sheriffs’ Association. Also, he is a member of the UPD/ Salt Lake County Peace Officer’s Merit Commission. He comes from a family dedicated to careers in service, is a fourth-generation law enforcement officer (father FBI, grandfather New Jersey Police and Fire Chief, and great-grandfather New York City Police Officer).

Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts (MA) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in Homeland Defense, 2008
    • Thesis at the Naval Postgraduate School titled “Factors that affect interagency collaborations: lessons during and following the 2002 Winter Olympics”
  • Family vs. Duty: Personal and Family Preparedness for Law Enforcement Organizational Resilience in the national Sheriff Magazine, 2008
  • FBI National Academy 223 Session at Quantico, Virginia, 2005
  • FBI Executive Command College, 2003
  • Utah POST Command College, 2003

Expertise

He spent 25 years in law enforcement starting as a Reserve Deputy for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s, then full-time Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief. He served as the Chief of Police for the City of Holladay from 2008 to 2015 with the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake under the Office of Sheriff. He retired as a Deputy Chief the Unified Police/Sheriff’s Office in 2015. Patrol duty in the East Patrol Division, Juvenile Detective Division, Court Services Division Detective Division Warrants Unit, Covert Joint-Agency Operation Investigating Juvenile Drug and Alcohol Violations, Salt Lake County Housing Authority (HUD) Investigations, Juvenile Detectives Division, Special Investigations Divisions, Executive Officer in both the East and West Patrol Divisions, Investigations Division over Homeland Security/Intelligence/Narcotics, and Acting-Commander of the Oquirrh Patrol Division and Night Watch Commander.

Course Coordinator

  • 2020 Criminal Justice Leadership and Supervision
  • 2300 Introduction to Policing
  • 2450 Terrorism
  • 2460 Psychological Profiling
  • 2510 Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Antonette Gray, PhD (ABD), M.A.

Assistant Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 272 A
Office: 801-957-5309
E-mail: antonette.gray@slcc.edu

Antonette, PhD (ABD)., M.A. is a Diversity Fellow in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. She joined full-time Fall 2018 after serving as an Adjunct Faculty member. She has taught Criminal Justice at the collegiate level for close to 10 years and has also worked for the Utah State government for over 10 years with the Utah Department of Child and Family Services, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, and Utah Department of Corrections. In addition to teaching full-time, she supports Salt Lake Community College’s Prison Education Project where she works with offenders and their re-entry efforts. She is both a Certified ‘Makin it Work Out Instructor (Life Skills for Offenders), and a Certified Corrections Academy and Peace Officer Standards Training Instructor. Currently, she also supports offenders (both males and females) through continued life-skills instruction. She has worked as a test developer for Prometric Inc., co-author for criminal justice textbooks at American Intercontinental University, and has embraced similar opportunities since on board in a full-time capacity at Salt Lake Community College. She is invested in curriculum development, authoring, and teaching a diverse student population.

Antonette also served honorably in the United States Navy where she participated in ISO Global War on Terrorism, as well as in Operation Unified. While in the military she earned the United States Navy Good Conduct Award, United States Navy Outstanding Achievement Award, Jr. Shore Sailor of the Quarter (BMU-1), and the United States Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM). As a Jamaican immigrant she is always open to diversity and brings her cultural awareness to the facilitation process. She is a service-oriented individual and a social justice advocate. She has been a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society Member since 2010.

Education

  • PhD (ABD) in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Criminal Justice from the Monmouth University, Long Branch, New Jersey 2004
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities (Spanish & International Relations) from University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, 1999

Expertise

Antonette has spent over 10 years invested in Criminal Justice and her community. She spent over 5 years holding various offices on the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and worked through the legislative and interim sessions drafting bills, and revising language associated with criminal justice bills. She has worked alongside colleagues who were committed to the preservation of human rights and who relentlessly demonstrated strong focus on criminal justice issues. Partnered with survivors of interpersonal violence, volunteers, community partners, criminal justice professionals, medical providers and lawmakers to establish and maintain a criminal justice agenda. Involved in outreach to increase awareness about domestic violence signs and supports. She has worked as a Criminal Justice Subject Matter Expert (SME) for over 5 years, where she lent her expertise to test development, curriculum development, and authoring. She worked as the State of Utah’s Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator (DMC) in the Governor’s Office where she was responsible for coordinating the State's efforts to address disproportionate minority youth contact with the juvenile justice system and to ensure State's compliance with the DMC core requirement of the JJDP Act of 1974. She was integral in the creation of the curriculum, and statewide training efforts that complemented HB460- School Resource Officers and School Administrators Training Agreement. She was the Co-Chair of the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Cultural Office of Diversity Law Enforcement Committee (CODA). This afforded her the opportunity work in conjunction with other professionals to create a forum to develop positive relationships between Law Enforcement and their communities while reducing the disproportionate minority youth representation in the Juvenile Justice System. She has created her own National Peace Officers Standards and Training (NPOST) preparation program in collaboration with Granite School District to help prepare refugee/minority for the NPOST examination. Antonette has worked in the Corrections field supporting the offenders’ release/re-entry efforts through education and workplace readiness.

Antonette has taught courses in the areas of Terrorism, Homeland Security, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Criminology, Victim Advocacy, Victimology, Criminology, Victimology, Cultural Diversity for Criminal Justice Professionals, Race and Cultural Diversity, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, Stress and Crisis Management, Psychopathology and Criminality, Gang Activity and Drug Operations and Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Course Coordinator

  • 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • 1200 International Dilemmas in Criminal Justice
  • 1300 Introduction to Corrections
  • 2050 Evidence-Based Social Work in Criminal Justice
  • 2570 Justice For All

Stephanie L. Hoffman, MSFS, CCSI

Assistant Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 272 B
Office: 801-957-5349
E-mail: stephanie.hoffman@slcc.edu
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/hoffmanforensics

Stephanie L. Hoffman, MSFS, CCSI is the Forensics Laboratory Coordinator and an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Forensics at the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). She additionally serves as the Chair of the International Association for Identification’s (IAI) Forensic Photography and Electronic Imaging Science and Practice Subcommittee. This requires providing subject matter expertise within respective disciplines and assisting in the development of the association’s annual educational conference. She also serves as a Technical Training Instructor for Tri-Tech Forensics where she develops and presents dynamic in-person as well as virtual workshops for sworn law enforcement and forensic professionals to help improve their evidentiary recognition, documentation, recovery, preservation, and analytical skills.  

Throughout her career she has additionally held multiple academic and forensic positions and garnered a wealth of professional experiences and accolades at the following agencies: International Association for Identification (IAI), Arizona State University, Lake Havasu City Police Department, Marian University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office, Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC), Forensic Services, and the Los Angeles Regional Crime Lab/Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Before accepting her current roles at SLCC, she served as the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s first civilian Crime Scene Specialist from 2015-2021. During said tenure she also taught Criminology and Criminal Justice courses at Arizona State University. From 2011-2015 she served as the Department Chair of Forensic Sciences at Marian University where she developed, taught, and managed their Forensic Science Major. Her areas of expertise are listed below, but she has trained in other forensic subdisciplines as well and continued her education through a variety of professional organizations.

Understanding that the transfer of knowledge is vital for both working and incoming professionals, she has presented over seventy-five workshops on various forensic and criminal justice topics to both lay and working professionals at local, regional, and international conferences. She was even nominated for the “Emerging Forensic Scientist Award” at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Educational Conference in 2011. Through her ultraviolet, visible, and infrared imaging research she has proven that it is possible to image bruising that has yet to appear or has disappeared from human sight, as well as tattoos that have been altered or damaged due to injury or decomposition. To date she has also developed and/or taught multiple sections of twenty-five different forensic science courses, six criminal justice courses, two biology courses, and two first year studies courses at the collegiate level. Multiple student research projects have also been advised by her, four of which have been recognized and awarded for outstanding research efforts by the IAI.

Education

  • Master of Science, Forensic Sciences
  • Outstanding Graduate in the Master of Forensic Sciences
  • Salutatory Graduate Speaker
  • Bachelor of Science, Forensic Sciences
    • Minors: Chemistry, Criminology and Criminal Justice

Licenses and Certifications

  • AZ POST Specialist Instructor
  • Death Investigations
  • Fingerprinting
  • Physical Evidence Procedures
  • Preliminary Investigations and Crime Scene Management
  • Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI)
  • International Association for Identification (IAI)

Expertise

  • Forensic Photography
  • Crime Scene Investigations
  • Death Investigations
  • Fingerprint Recovery and Analysis
  • Forensic Video Recovery and Analysis
  • Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Crime Control Policies
  • U.S. Criminal Justice System (Law Enforcement, Courts, and Corrections)

Course Coordinator

  • 1350 Introduction to Forensic Science
  • 2340 Forensic Photography
  • 2420 Anatomy of a Homicide
  • 2480 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques

Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II

Associate Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 270 D
Office: 801-957-5358
Cell: 315-657-2911
E-mail: anthony.nocella@slcc.edu
Website: www.anthonynocella.org and https://slcc.digication.com/anthonynocella/

Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II, (he/they), an international award-winning author, prison educator, former professional mountain biker, long-time professor, and community organizer, is an Assistant Professor in criminal justice and criminology in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. Nocella, drawing on his experience as a former D.C. lobbyist, Hamline University Law School Fellow, juvenile detention center program director, and manager of numerous bike shops, provides keynote presentations and workshops on intersectional social justice and liberation throughout the world. Nocella is also an editor of the  Peace Studies Journal, managing editor of the  Green Theory and Praxis Journal and  Transformative Justice Journal, and co-editor of five book series including  Critical Animal Studies and Theory with Lexington Books and  Hip-Hop Studies and Activism with Peter Lang Publishing. He received his doctorate from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Master of Science in foundations of education from Syracuse University, Master of Arts in peacemaking and conflict studies from Fresno Pacific University, and bachelor’s in pre-law, public administration, and political science from University of St. Thomas. He has two graduate certificates in gender and women’s studies and international negotiation from Syracuse University and a graduate certificate in mediation from Fresno Pacific University. Nocella who is active on campus-wide committees and national academic associations has taught at twelve universities, including St. Cloud State University, SUNY Cortland, Le Moyne College, Hamline University, Fort Lewis College, North Hennepin Community College, and Syracuse University. He has published over one hundred book chapters and articles combined and forty books while teaching in over thirty different prisons, jails, or juvenile detention facilities in the U.S. In 2009, Nocella received the  Anthony J. Cuccurullo Memorial Award for Excellence, which is New York’s juvenile detention employee of the year award. Nocella, who regularly writes grants, is the National Coordinator of Save the Kids, Executive Director of the Institute for Critical Animal Studies, Director of the Academy for Peace Education, and acquisitions editor of Arissa Media Group. His work has been translated in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, German, Korean, and Japanese. He has co-founded numerous concepts and the fields of critical animal studies, Hip Hop criminology, Hip Hop activism, lowrider studies, disability pedagogy, terrorization, academic repression, ecoability, revolutionary environmentalism, radical animal studies, and total liberation. He has been interviewed by  New York TimesWashington PostHouston ChroniclesDurango HeraldFresno Bee, Fox, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, and  Los Angeles Times.

Education

  • Ph.D., Social Science, Syracuse University, 2011
  • M.S., Cultural Foundations of Education, Syracuse University, 2008
  • Graduate Certificate, International Conflict Management, Syracuse University, 2005
  • Graduate Certificate, Women’s and Gender Studies, Syracuse University, 2005
  • M.A., Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific University, 2003
  • Graduate Certificate, Mediation, Fresno Pacific University, 2002
  • B.A., Political Science, Pre-Law, and Public Administration, University of St. Thomas, 2000

Expertise

  • U.S. Criminal Justice
  • Critical Terrorism Studies
  • Criminology
  • Transformative and Restorative Justice
  • Juvenile and Youth Justice
  • Critical Pedagogy
  • Hip Hop Studies
  • Peace & Conflict Studies
  • Corrections
  • Criminal Law
  • Green Criminology
  • Social Justice Education
  • Race, Class, Ability, Gender, Sexuality and Crime

Course Coordinator

  • 1220 Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies
  • 2330 Juvenile Justice
  • 2470 Introduction to Criminology
  • 2500 Social Violence and Change

David Robles, MA

Assistant Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 270B
Office: 801-957-5350
Email: david.robles@slcc.edu

David Robles serves as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Public Safety, Salt Lake Community College, where his academic focus spans across criminology, victimology, and justice studies. In addition to his academic work, David is a dedicated member of the Unified Police Department’s Mobile Crisis Response Team. In this capacity, he provides critical victim advocacy and response services during domestic violence incidents, sexual assaults, suicides, homicides, and cases of child neglect and abuse. He also assists with the profoundly sensitive task of death notifications. His commitment to victim support extends to his involvement with The National Center for Victims of Crime, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing victims’ rights, offering professional training, and serving as a trusted resource on victim-related issues.

David also serves as a Squad Leader with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Mountain Search & Rescue Team. In this role, David works closely with the Unified Police Department, the Sheriff’s Canyon Patrol Unit, and the Utah Department of Public Safety, ensuring coordinated responses to rescue operations all along the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains.

David’s extensive professional background includes over a decade of experience in nonprofit organizations, where his work has centered on social justice and human services. He holds a Master’s in Community Leadership from Westminster University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Law Enforcement from Weber State University.

Education

  • M.A. in Community Leadership, Westminster University
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice, Weber State University

Expertise

  • Criminology
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Social Justice
  • Public Policy
  • Emergency Management
  • Prison Industrial Complex
  • Criminal Justice System and History
  • Victimology

Course Coordinator

  • 2410 Introduction to Victimology
  • 2540 Careers in Criminal Justice, Law, and Society
  • 2750 Justice for All

Brett Terpstra, M.P.A.

Associate Professor
Larry H. Miller Campus
Public Safety Education & Training Center, 270 E
Office: 801-957-5377
Email: brett.terpstra@slcc.edu

Brett Terpstra began college by enrolling in the Criminal Justice program at a local community college. At that time, he would have never imagined that he would eventually go on to serve as a Special Agent, investigating high-ranking members of the mafia, including Gambino crime family members and Capo’s Tommy “Sneakers” Cacciopoli, Nicholas “Little Nicky” Corozzo, Tommy “Monk” Sassano, and Vinny “Marbles” Dragonetti, among others. He has experience working on large, multi-jurisdictional investigative teams, investigating crimes ranging from drug distribution to extortion to labor racketeering to grand larceny to white-collar crimes, such as mortgage fraud. He was also a US Marine Corps Officer and has experience in military intelligence, including real-world operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He uses his experiences to enhance the learning experience of students at Salt Lake Community College.

Education

  • Master of Public Administration with Specialization in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration; John Jay College of Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Arts; Deviant Behavior and Social Control; John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Expertise

  • Criminal Investigations
  • Labor Racketeering
  • Task Force Operations
  • Electronic Surveillance
  • Military Intelligence

Course Coordinator

  • 1330 Criminal Law
  • 1340 Criminal Investigations
  • 2350 Laws of Evidence

Adjunct Faculty

Holly Arguello, M.A., CCSA

E-mail: harguell@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Holly Arguello is a Certified Crime Scene Analyst at the Salt Lake City Police Department and a part-time Death Investigator with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. She has been an adjunct instructor at the Salt Lake Community College since 2011. She received her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2005 from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Holly has investigated hundreds of crime scenes including homicides, suspicious, accidental, and natural deaths. She is a member of the International Association for Identification, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts.

Education

  • M.A. in Criminal Justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2005
  • B.A. in Criminology, The University of Florida, 2002

Expertise

Gary F. Cox

Email: gary.cox@slcc.edu

Gary Cox retired as a Captain from the West Jordan (Utah) Police Department after 30 years of service and currently works as an adjunct faculty member for the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. He has Bachelor degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, as well as a Master’s degree in Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and of the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was also elected to three terms in the Utah House of Representatives.

Education

  • Post-graduate Certificate, Naval Postgraduate School, 2018
  • Master of Management, University of Phoenix, 2006
  • Post-graduate Certificate, FBI National Academy/University of Virginia, 2003
  • Bachelor of Science, Weber State University, 1993

Expertise

  • Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement
  • Police Administration
  • Police Response to Domestic Violence
  • State and Local Politics

Dennis L. Crandall

Email: dcranda8@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Dennis Crandall, an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Criminal Justice in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College spent thirty years, the bulk of his career, with the United States Secret Service. Prior to becoming an agent with the Secret Service, he served two years with the Los Angeles Police Department in Hollywood and in the Office of Public Affairs. Following his retirement, he worked for two years with the Salt Lake Coordinating Committee (SLOC)for the 2002 Winter Olympics. His duties included coordinating the security duties of Olympic Sponsors and executive Protection for IOC President Jacques Rogge and SLOC Chairmen, Mitt Romney. From 2004 – 2009 he served as the Assistant Federal Security Director for the Transpiration Security Administration in the Salt Lake City office. Crandall’s roots are in Utah but he was born in Los Angeles, California, then raised in the suburbs of New York City. He has called Bountiful, Utah homesince1991.

Education

  • B.S. Communications (Journalism Emphasis) Brigham Young University 1968
  • LAPD Academy – California POST Certification 1969
  • Treasury Agent Basic Training School, February 1971
  • Secret Service Basic Agent Course, June 1971
  • Technical Operations Briefing, June 1973
  • Protective Operations Briefing for Detail Leaders, April 1980
  • Hostage Crisis Management Briefing, April 1992
  • Diversity Training seminar, June 1996

Expertise

  • Firearms – Distinguished Expert
  • Detecting Counterfeit Currency
  • Community Policing
  • Arab/Israeli conflict
  • Executive /Dignitary Protection
  • The impact of local culture on dignitary protection domestically and internationally
  • Sectarian violence: IRA v. Protestant paramilitaries 1969-1985

Michael Cupello

Email: mcupello@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Michael Cupello, M.S., has a background in evaluative research and epidemiology with an emphasis in gerontology. He is a 25-year veteran of the Unified Police Department and currently serves as the Investigative Division’s Lieutenant. He has conducted a quantitative assessment of data collected by the Utah Governor's Commission on Aging to evaluate our law enforcement officer's understanding of elderly related topics, to include; services, laws, and legal protections. At the Salt Lake Community College, he teaches several criminal justice courses as well as classes within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Education

  • Master of Science, University of Utah, 2010
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Utah, 2007
  • Associate of Science, Salt Lake Community College, 2004

Expertise

  • Evaluative Research and Epidemiology
  • Sociology and Social Problems
  • Criminal Justice and Investigations
  • Emergency Operations
  • Complex Coordinated Attacks

Norm Jarvis

Email: njarvis7@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Norman S Jarvis is an internationally known expert in law enforcement and counterterrorism. He served 8 years in local law enforcement agencies in Utah, as a Deputy with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office and Police Officer for the City of Murray before joining the US Secret Service. Upon his retirement in 2005, Mr. Jarvis was a General Manager at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico where he led a team of the nation’s top scientists, engineers and technical experts assessing the existential threat to the United States from Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Education

  • Master’s in Public Administration, University of Utah
  • Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, Westminster College

Expertise

  • Criminal Investigations and Intelligence
  • Security Management
  • Counter-Terrorism

Christopher Kotrodimos

Email: ckotrod1@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Chris Kotrodimos has been a police officer for over 22 years, holding positions as a Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Major Crash Investigator, Fugitive Apprehension Team Leader, Police Trainer, and Homicide Detective. He is currently a Lieutenant employed as an Investigator on the Homicide Team for the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. His employment at the DA’s office is preceded by 14 years of service at the Salt Lake City Police Department, and over 4 years of service at the Raleigh Police Department in Raleigh, North Carolina. Chris enjoys traveling and SCUBA diving with his wife CJ in his free time. He is an active SSI Dive Pro with a Divemaster rating. Prior to his police service, Chris served in the military as a US Army Paratrooper and a US Air Force Security Policeman. Chris has lectured as a keynote speaker and guest speaker at multiple violent crimes conferences, law enforcement seminars, and on a regular basis at the University of Utah.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, Columbia College
  • B.A. Criminal Justice, Columbia College

Expertise

  • Homicide Investigations
  • Cell Phone Record Analysis and Mapping – Court Certified Expert
  • Blood Pattern Analysis – Court Certified Expert
  • Police Training and Use of Force – Court Certified Expert
  • Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigations
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Firearms Instructor – Handgun and Patrol Rifle

Brandon Palmer

Email: bpalme16@bruinmail.slcc.edu

I am not a “glass half full” type of person. I am a “where did I put my glass” kind of person.

Brandon Palmer worked in the criminal justice system for 17 years. In 1999 Brandon started at the Salt Lake County Jail as a correction officer. Brandon worked in all the different security levels of housing units, training officer, and in processing (booking). In 2003, Brandon was hired by the West Jordan Police Department where he worked as a patrol officer, trained new officers, and served on the S.W.A.T. team. As Brandon worked he continued his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and several years later earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. All the while he and his wife have been active in foster care. In 2012 Brandon began teaching Criminal Justice (CTE, and Concurrent Enrollment) part-time at Copper Hills High School part time. 2015 he left the police force, and was fortunate to begin working at Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers (JATC) and became a full-time employee with the Jordan School District. In the summer of 2017 he was given the opportunity to work as an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College.

Education

  • M.S., Secondary Education
  • B.S., Psychology

Expertise

  • U.S. Criminal Justice
  • SWAT
  • Field Training Officer
  • Corrections
  • Criminal Law

Michael Renckert

Email: mrencker@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Mike Renckert, B.S., M.B.A., C.M.C., C.P.M., S.S.W is an Adjunct Professor of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. He joined as an adjunct faculty member in Spring 2000 and has only missed one semester teaching since then. In addition to being an adjunct professor he still works for the Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Probation and Parole, to date for 30 years. He also owns a property management and consulting company. Mike has earned many Certificates of Appreciation, several Medals of Merit and Executive Director Awards.

Education

  • Bachelor Degree of Psychology, Brigham Young University, 1990.
  • Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.), University of Phoenix, 1997
  • Utah POST Certified: Correctional Officer, April 1990.
  • Utah POST Certified: Law Enforcement Officer, January 1997
  • Utah POST Instructor Development Certificate
  • DEA: Drug Enforcement Administration, Clandestine Laboratory Certification, June 1999
  • Social Service Worker (S.S.W.) Utah Licensure, 2664460-3503, June 1993.
  • CERT Certification. 2000 (Community Emergency Response Team)
  • Salt Lake County ARES member (Amateur Radio Emergency Services)
  • Amateur Radio General License 2006
  • Certified Public Manager, July 2014.
  • Capacity Management Certificate, October 2014.

Expertise

He has over 30 years in law enforcement starting as a correctional officer with the department of Corrections He started his career in law enforcement in January 1990 with the Department of Corrections. He has served as Correctional Officer in Utah State Prison in the Unita, the maximum-security facility and Oquirrh, medium security facility. He transferred to Adult Probation and Parole to work as a Counselor and Shift Leader working with female probationers and parolees in the Women’s Community Correctional Center. As an Agent, he managed and investigated probationers and parolees in various specialized caseloads such as the mentally ill; substance abuser and drug dealers; thieves; assailants and murders; sex offenders; and fraud and identity thieves. As a Supervisor, he has supervised the fugitive, court liaison, sex offender and mentally ill units in conjunction with Probation and parole units. He has supervised staff in the three of the community correctional centers in Salt Lake City. He has served on several taskforces such as the US Marshal’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, prior to JCAT and VFAST; DEA Metro Narcotics and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. He served on several administrative groups regarding the mentally ill, substance abuse, and sex offender programming along with chairing several groups regarding offender case management, transition and re-entry. Supervising, managing and investigating probationers/parolees in criminal/non-criminal situations. Sex Offender/Mentally ill Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Court Liaison Unit, Presentence Investigation Unit, Narcotics: Clandestine Laboratories: Methamphetamine and Marijuana Grows, Emergency Preparedness Management Training/Planning. Motivational Interviewing Coder. Developed and implemented the Field Training Program, FTP and established the UPM plan/evaluation. Developed educational/vocational, training/seminar curriculums with instructional guides, manuals, and audio/visual materials. Extensive working knowledge with Sex Offender Registration, LS-RNR Assessment Tool, DNA/Evidence/Urinalysis Collection, Presentence Investigation Reports, Community Correctional Centers, Residential & aftercare treatment programs, Clandestine Laboratory/Drug/Symptomatology Identification, Utah Courts & Board of Pardons/Parole. Established a program within my team related to "Result Driven Direct Supervision". Intervention for special needs offenders. Teach inmates in life skills: Anger Management, Stress Management, Financial Literacy, Computer Literacy, Psycho-educational courses such as NIC Thinking for a Change.

J. Scott Stephenson

Email: jstephen@bruinmail.slcc.edu

J. Scott Stephenson currently serves as director Utah's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Scott is currently an adjunct professor at the Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University. He is an experienced teacher and presenter in the areas of ethics, ethical leadership, excited delirium, crisis intervention, patrol tactics (to include canine deployment), and conflict resolution /de-escalation.

Scott is a seasoned administrator and is responsible for developing and delivering police training curriculum, investigating officer misconduct, and collaborating with Utah senators and representatives to create prudent laws and policy for Utah’s law enforcement. He has served as member of multiple boards, committees and councils during his career and currently serves as a member of the Utah Prosecution Council, representing law enforcement and the Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner’s Office.

Scott has served in several different capacities within Utah’s law enforcement community to include: corrections, special emergency response team (SERT), patrol (state and municipal), drill instructor in the Police Corps academy, POST investigations (Lt.), basic training (Lt.) and DUI squad.

Scott earned his Business baccalaureate degree from the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah and has a graduate degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University. Scott is also a graduate of Northwestern Staff and Command School. He is an avid runner and loves spending quality time with his family.

Education

  • M.S. Criminal Justice 2015, Weber State University
  • B.S. Business 2008, University of Utah

Expertise

  • Criminal Justice System
  • American Policing
  • Ethical Decision Making in Law Enforcement
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Policing and Diversity
  • Community Policing
  • Case Law for Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Correctional Issues and Environment
  • Administrative Processes

Mark K. Vincent

Email: mvincen9@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Mr. Vincent serves as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Utah and has done so since 1989. Previously he served as a Deputy District Attorney for Ventura County, California, District Attorney’s Attorney. Mr. Vincent is a member of the Utah, California, and United States Supreme Court Bars.

Education

  • J.D. Pepperdine University School of Law
  • B.A. Brigham Young University

Expertise

  • Federal Criminal Prosecution

Craig L. Watson

Email: cwatson5@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Craig L. Watson has been a member of the adjunct faculty within the Criminal Justice Department at SLCC for 8 years. Mr. Watson has 26 years of law enforcement experience; 14 years with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office as Assistant Chief Investigator, and 12 years as a Deputy Sheriff for Salt Lake County where he served as a supervisor in Patrol and Detective Units as well as Commander of a Multi-Agency Drug Trafficking Task Force. He has also worked as Licensed Private Investigator in the State of Utah since 2014.

Education

  • BSBM, Bachelor of Science Business Management, University of Phoenix, 2002
  • ASCJ, Associate of Science Criminal Justice, SLCC, 1997
  • CPM, Certified Public Manager, State of Utah, 2009

Expertise

  • Criminal investigations
  • Cognitive interviewing
  • Interrogations
  • Search and seizure law
  • Evidence handling
  • Officer involved shootings and other critical incidents
  • Use of force
  • In-custody deaths
  • Drug use and distribution
  • Wiretapping
  • Policing
  • Employment law
  • Management

Hon. Ronald C. Wolthuis

Email: rwolthu1@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Judge Wolthuis is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Criminal Justice in the Institute of Public Safety at Salt Lake Community College. He is also an instructor in the Concurrent Education Program at Salt Lake Community College and teaches a concurrent program of Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Corrections and Careers in Law Enforcement for the Granite School District at the Granite Technical Institute. Judge Wolthuis is an Active Senior Judge in the State of Utah. He also serves as an Administrative Law Judge for Summit County, State of Utah. He was appointed to the Midvale City Justice Court in March, 2008 and retired from the bench in December, 2016. Prior to his appointment to the bench Judge Wolthuis practiced law for more than 20 years including serving as City Prosecutor for West Jordan City for 9 years and South Jordan City for 4 years.

Education

  • J.D., University of Utah, 1985 – Editor, Journal of Contemporary Law and Journal of Energy Law & Policy
  • B.S., Weber State College, Cum Laude with Departmental Honors 1978 – Major: Zoology; Minors: Chemistry & Psychology

Expertise

  • Criminal Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Criminal Justice
  • Constitutional Law
  • Corrections
  • Evidence
  • Careers in Law Enforcement
  • Administrative Law

Marcus R Yockey, Esq.

Email: myockey@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Marcus R Yockey, Esq, is the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Curriculum Developer, Researcher, and Legal Instructor. Marcus has been employed in the Criminal Justice system his entire career, including working as a former Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel for the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). As an AAG, he represented the eleven agencies within DPS including Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), Bureau of Forensic Services (Crime Lab), Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and Utah Highway Patrol (UHP). Prior to law school, Marcus worked at BCI as an expungement technician and as a trainer and auditor of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Marcus is a proud graduate of the Criminal Justice programs at SLCC and Weber State University.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah
  • Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science, Weber State University
  • Minor in Psychology, Weber State University

Expertise

  • Peace officer curriculum development and training
  • Legal research and writing
  • Criminal law
  • Administrative law
  • Expungement law
  • Legislative process
  • Human Resource law
  • Concealed Firearm Permit law
  • Firearm laws
  • Criminal Justice Information System (Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification)
  • Private Investigator Licensing and law
  • Bail Bond Licensing and law
  • Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certification issues

Program Advisory Committee

Jennifer Hamilton, SSW

Family Crimes and Intervention Coordinator/Child Advocate, Sandy Police Department
Email: jhamilton@sandy.utah.gov

Jennifer Hamilton is the Family Crimes and Intervention Coordinator and Child Advocate for the Sandy Police Department. Jennifer oversees the victim advocates for the police department as well as the various meetings/programs under the unit. Jennifer oversees the Sandy Youth Court as well as the C.A.R.I. (Children at Risk Intervention) team. Jennifer’s previous experience include working for the DCFS where she held different positions such as Juvenile Court Liaison, Lead Transition to Adult Living Caseworker, On Call CPS and Permanency Caseworker. Other employment included CPS in Texas and Lead Court Clerk for the Third District Juvenile Court.

Education

  • S.S.W., Social Service Worker licensure, Utah D.O.P.L., Issued 2014 and active
  • M.B.A., Business Administration, University of Phoenix, 2009
  • B.A., Criminal Justice, St. Edward’s University, 2003

Expertise

  • Child Advocacy
  • Social Services
  • Victim Advocacy
  • Youth Court
  • Juvenile Court
  • Justice Court
  • Trauma Informed Services
  • Secondary Trauma
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Statistics

Ben B. Pender

Cold Case Homicide Detective, Unified Police Department
Email: bpender@updsl.org

Ben B. Pender, is a Detective with the Unified Police Department. He is currently assigned to Investigations where he is assigned to the Cold Case Homicide Unit where he investigates Cold Case Homicides and Missing Persons. Ben has been assigned to various Units such as Traffic, Narcotics and Homicide. Ben has been in law enforcement for 29 years. Ben also serves as a City Council Member with the City of South Salt Lake.

Education

  • P.O.S.T. Certificate 1990
  • Force Science Institute
  • Interview and Interrogation
  • Hostage Negotiations

Expertise

  • Death Investigations
  • Interview and Interrogations
  • Missing Persons

Scott Stephenson

E-mail:  jstephen@bruinmail.slcc.edu 

J. Scott Stephenson currently serves as director Utah's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Scott is currently an adjunct professor at the Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University. He is an experienced teacher and presenter in the areas of ethics, ethical leadership, excited delirium, crisis intervention, patrol tactics (to include canine deployment), and conflict resolution /de-escalation.

Scott is a seasoned administrator and is responsible for developing and delivering police training curriculum, investigating officer misconduct, and collaborating with Utah senators and representatives to create prudent laws and policy for Utah’s law enforcement. He has served as member of multiple boards, committees and councils during his career and currently serves as a member of the Utah Prosecution Council, representing law enforcement and the Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner’s Office.

Scott has served in several different capacities within Utah’s law enforcement community to include: corrections, special emergency response team (SERT), patrol (state and municipal), drill instructor in the Police Corps academy, POST investigations (Lt.), basic training (Lt.) and DUI squad

Scott earned his Business baccalaureate degree from the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah and has a graduate degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University. Scott is also a graduate of Northwestern Staff and Command School. He is an avid runner and loves spending quality time with his family.

Education

  • M.S. Criminal Justice 2015, Weber State University
  • B.S. Business 2008, University of Utah

Marcus R Yockey, Esq.

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Curriculum Developer, Researcher, and Legal Instructor
Email: myockey@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Marcus R Yockey, Esq, is the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Curriculum Developer, Researcher, and Legal Instructor. Marcus has been employed in the Criminal Justice system his entire career, including working as a former Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel for the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). As an AAG, he represented the eleven agencies within DPS including Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), Bureau of Forensic Services (Crime Lab), Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and Utah Highway Patrol (UHP). Prior to law school, Marcus worked at BCI as an expungement technician and as a trainer and auditor of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Marcus is a proud graduate of the Criminal Justice programs at SLCC and Weber State University.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah
  • Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science, Weber State University
  • Minor in Psychology, Weber State University

Expertise

  • Peace officer curriculum development and training
  • Legal research and writing
  • Criminal law
  • Administrative law
  • Expungement law
  • Legislative process
  • Human Resource law
  • Concealed Firearm Permit law
  • Firearm laws
  • Criminal Justice Information System (Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification)
  • Private Investigator Licensing and law
  • Bail Bond Licensing and law
  • Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certification issues

Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conferences

The Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference was co-founded by the Utah Criminology Student Association and the Salt Lake Community College Department of Criminal Justice in the Fall of 2018. This scholarly student conference is dedicated to the fields of criminology, criminal justice, and justice studies.

cje-conf1.jpg

1st Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference
December 8, 2018
Agenda: https://savethekidsgroup.org/2018-bi-annual-crime-justice-and-equity-conference/

cje-conf2.jpg

2nd Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference
April 27, 2019
Agenda: https://savethekidsgroup.org/april-27-2019-utah-spring-2019-biannual-crime-justice-and-equity-conference/

cje-conf3.jpg

3rd Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference
December 7, 2019
Agenda: https://savethekidsgroup.org/salt-lake-3rd-biannual-crime-justice-and-equity-conference-december-7-2019/

cje-conf4.jpg

4th Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference
April 22, 2022
Agenda: https://savethekidsgroup.org/april-22-2022-biannual-crime-justice-and-equity-conference-miller-campus-slcc/

cje-conf6.jpg

6th Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference
April 28, 2023
Agenda: https://savethekidsgroup.org/6th-annual-crime-justice-and-equity-conference/

Community Engaged Research and Sponsored Projects/Publications

Utah Reintegration Program
The Utah Reintegration Program (URP) founded on December 4, 2019, is a large multi-level comprehensive community-based coalition of agencies, programs, and organizations dedicated to (1) ending the recidivism of adults and youth incarcerated, (2) foster alternatives to incarceration, and (3) addressing the root social causes of incarceration in Salt Lake County and society. Grounded in critical re/integration studies, URP:

  1. Starts inside incarcerated locations (prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities);
  2. Supports with (1) life skills and conflict transformation, (2) job readiness and business inclusion, (3) mental health and substance recovery; and (4) college and high school education;
  3. Grounded in culture and community of people that are caught in the system and were incarcerated (it has to be culturally and community sensitive); and
  4. Works to address systemic root issues within the criminal justice system of incarceration and society.

Salt Lake Harvey Milk Vigil and Remembrance
Founded in 2019, this public, free, and family friendly event located on the sidewalk of 900 South and 900 East in Salt Lake, Utah provides space to remember the powerful life of politician Harvey Milk, the first out gay politician in the U.S. Students and faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice and Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center collaborate on this important event to address hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

Sock Drive
The most common item not provided to unsheltered people is socks. Wearing the same socks for a long period of time can cause many diseases. Those that are unsheltered and caught in the criminal justice system are too often the same population. The Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association does not have a utopian perspective of eliminating poverty, but this project educated the students about the resources, economic justice, racial justice, mental health, humanitarian aid, and plight of the social service industry.

Salt Lake Public Picnic
This public picnic founded in 2019 is grounded in a mutual aid and Freirean philosophy. The Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association shares, not gives or serves, food with others in their community. This collaborative community engaged project educates students on economic justice, mental health, community building and relations, event planning, organization management. The food that is shared by the SLCC students downtown Salt Lake, Utah is always the same – oatmeal, vegetable soup, juice, coffee, and bagels. The cups, plates, and utensils are able to be washed and used again. The students carpool themselves downtown, which teaches sustainability, grassroots organizing, and self-reliance.

Annual Salt Lake Winter Lowrider Bicycle Show
The powerful and important evening event founded in 2019 centers Latino/a/x and Chicano/a/x culture, while also promoting youth justice, education, social justice, equity, peace, and alternatives to violence and incarceration. This community engaged project is a collaboration with the Dream Center, West Valley Center, Save the Kids, Utah Criminology Student Association, Department of Criminal Justice, Utah Reintegration Program.

Sponsored Publications:

  • Peace Studies Journal
  • Green Theory and Praxis Journal
  • Transformative Justice Journal
  • Lowrider Studies Journal
  • Journal for Critical Animal Studies
  • Hip Hop Studies and Activism Book Series, Peter Lang Publishing
  • Critical Animal Studies and Theory Book Series, Lexington Books
  • Radical Animal Studies and Total Liberation, Peter Lang Publishing
  • Lowrider Studies Book Series, Peter Lang Publishing
  • Liberatory Stories and Voices from Community Colleges Book Series, Peter Lang Publishing
  • Poetry Behind the Walls

Criminal Justice Awards

Awards are given by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association at the Fall and Spring Biannual Crime, Justice, and Equity Conference held at Salt Lake Community College.

Nominations accepted for the Fall: October 1 - November 30

Nominations accepted for the Spring: March 1 - April 30

Outstanding Academic Achievement

This biannual award is for a graduating criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community College that has the highest GPA overall. This award is an objective award that does not have a nomination process and is determined by comparing all GPAs of criminal justice student majors that are graduating that academic semester.

Outstanding Inclusivity and Equity Achievement

This biannual award is for a criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community College that has an active commitment and engagement in direct advocacy toward justice, equity, and inclusion of a marginalized segment of society such as, but not limited to, People of Color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, those incarcerated, women, youth, survivors, houseless, economically disadvantaged people, nonhuman animals, and the environment. We recognize that oppression exists, and that action needs to be taken to address inequity and injustices in society.

NOMINATION LINK FOR OUTSTANDING INCLUSIVITY AND EQUITY ACHIEVEMENT

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association.

Outstanding Service Achievement

This biannual award is for a criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community College that has an active commitment and engagement in serving voluntarily, and not as a paid job or internship, within the community at a government agency or social service nonprofit organization that is not religiously, or political party affiliated. Serving others and the community is a central part of justice and a healthy community.

NOMINATION LINK FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association.

Outstanding Health and Wellbeing Achievement

This biannual award is for a criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community College that has an active commitment and engagement in personal fitness, health, and mental wellbeing. We want to support students and not shame students for taking care of themselves over academics. As schools have led to a high rate of student anxiety, depression, unhealthy dietary and physical habits, and suicide. Further, the field of criminal justice has fostered similar habits too. This person must regularly demonstrate in their personal life selfcare, such as, but not limited, exercising, involvement in organized athletic competitions, eating healthy, and seeking out counseling and advising.

NOMINATION LINK FOR OUTSTANDING HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACHIEVEMENT

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association.

Outstanding Rise Up Achievement

This biannual award is for a criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community that has succeed against many personal social adversities, such as death in the family, unsheltered, drug use, incarceration, domestic violence, or theft.

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association.

NOMINATION LINK FOR OUTSTANDING RISE UP ACHIEVEMENT

Outstanding Scholarship Achievement Award

This biannual award is for a criminal justice student at Salt Lake Community that engages in research, scholarship, organizing academic publications and events, and participates in furthering their knowledge, education, and learning through reading, writing, attending forums, clubs, organization, and watching films.

NOMINATION LINK FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association.

Outstanding Criminal Justice Faculty

Nominations accepted for the Spring: March 1 - April 10

This annual award is dedicated to recognizing one adjunct or full-time faculty member in the Department of Criminal Justice at Salt Lake Community that demonstrates excellence in teaching, inclusion, equity of ideas and identity of individuals in our college community.

Nomination Link for Outstanding Criminal Justice Faculty

Nominations can be submitted by a student, professor, administrators, or staff at SLCC. The award is determined by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Utah Criminology Student Association. Faculty who won in the past five years will be removed from the selection process.

Criminal Justice Award Recipients

Outstanding Academic Achievement 

2018 - Marla Jean Card
2021 - Lacie Jacobson
2022 - Natasha Evette Sadler
2022 - Chase Messervy 

Outstanding Inclusivity and Equity Achievement

2021 - Cynthia Mellin
2022 - Marianne Aguero 

Outstanding Service Achievement

2018 - Lucas Rivera
2021 - Keila Jauregui
2022 - Angela Cardenas 

Outstanding Health and Wellbeing

2021 - Rebekah Spendlove
2022 - Axnia Quinones 

Outstanding Rise Up Achievement

2022 - Danielle Mohl 

Outstanding Criminal Justice Facility

2021 - Stephanie Hoffman
2022 - David Robles


Occupations in this area

*The U.S. Education Department now requires institutions to provide Gainful Employment information to prospective students that provide consumer information on program costs, student debt and completion. The above Career & Program information will provide a comparison between similar programs at different institutions

For state and national occupation information, visit O*Net Online to review careers in Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security.

Licensure Information

The Criminal Justice program alone does not lead to professional licensure/certification. This program prepares students for application and transfer to other programs of study that could eventually lead to professional licensure/certification. States may require that applicants submit proof of United States citizenship, resident status, or work authorization for many law enforcement careers. Criminal background checks are required for most careers. Students are encouraged to view our Professional Licensure webpage for contact information for state licensure boards.

Important Information about the Law Enforcement Academy

Applicants that wish to pursue a career as a sworn law enforcement officers or corrections officer must attend a Law Enforcement Academy (CJ 1910 and CJ 1920). The Criminal Justice major alone does not lead to employment as a sworn law enforcement or corrections officer. To meet legal requirements for the Law Enforcement Academy, the applicant must be United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who has been in the United States legally for the five years immediately before the day on which the application is made; and has legal authorization to work in the United States.

Tuition and Fees

Available Class Schedules

Financial Aid