Criminal Justice Program Keeps Students Current

Ohio Christian University (OCU) Criminal Justice Program students participated in several learning enrichment events recently that included attending expert advisory council discussions, touring an Ohio penal institution, and observing canine-assisted narcotics crime apprehension.

Criminal Justice Advisory Council Meeting

OCU’s Criminal Justice Department held its annual Criminal Justice Advisory Council meeting. The Council collaborates with the Criminal Justice Program director to ensure students receive a current and comprehensive curriculum that prepares them to succeed in Criminal Justice careers.

Criminal Justice Program Director Sean Lovell hosted council participants from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Circleville Police Department, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections, and Ohio Department of Youth Services.

The Council advises the University on strategic direction for the Criminal Justice Department, reviews and evaluates program goals and objectives and relevance of courses and initiatives, and it also identifies needs and recommends ways to incorporate them into the curriculum.

ODRC Reception Center Tour

OCU Criminal Justice program students recently visited the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Reception Center (CRC) in Orient, Ohio. The CRC is a close/maximum-security institution and one of two adult male reception centers serving 66 of 88 counties in Ohio. It houses an average 1,550 inmates with 30-70 inmates processed daily.

The students toured inmate processing, juvenile housing facilities, and special housing units. Captain Brad Caughman, Assistant to the Warden, discussed the operations and what comprises the ‘life of a corrections officer.’

K-9 Narcotics Detection and Perpetrator Apprehension

Recently Police Sergeant Travis McKinney, Officer Ron Morningstar, and K-9 Harry visited with OCU Criminal Justice students and demonstrated Narcotics K-9 capabilities. Officer Morningstar presented information on the process for selecting K-9 handlers and K-9 dogs and shared details about specialized training and deployment of K-9 teams.

Sergeant McKinney portrayed a crime perpetrator during simulations of canine-assisted narcotics searches and aggression training. The life-like demonstrations enable students to observe officers conducting typical operations.