Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCCJ) has introduced a new certification program designed to address the increasing requirement for technological and data analysis skills within law enforcement organizations.
The newly established Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis seeks to equip undergraduate students with the necessary tools and practical experience to fulfill that expanding demand.
“This initiative logically aligns with our college’s mission of translational research,” stated Dean Thomas Blomberg. “The program guarantees that its participants will acquire theoretical foundations along with practical learning experiences, preparing them for success in this burgeoning field of law enforcement.”
Central to the certification’s practical learning is the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center (CRRTCC), a collaboration involving the CCCJ, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the FSU Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Established in 2023, the center has recently been recognized as the Center of the Year by the National Real Time Crime Center Association.
Among various roles, the CRRTCC supplies 24/7, real-time data to local law enforcement regarding incidents ranging from automotive collisions to ongoing criminal activities.
“This certificate enables our students to graduate from FSU armed with a credential demonstrating their specific expertise and experience with these technologies and methodologies — that’s a significant benefit.”
—Brian Stults, professor and co-director of the Real Time Crime Center Research and Policy Institute
Julie Brancale, an assistant professor and co-director of the Real Time Crime Center Research and Policy Institute, remarked that the college’s involvement as a foundational research collaborator distinguishes the CRRTCC as unique — providing unparalleled opportunities for students.
Alongside partnering with researchers and CRRTCC analysts, students acquire proficiency in vital tools such as crime mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical software, data analytics, and advanced technologies typically utilized in RTCCs, including surveillance systems and social media monitoring.
However, it is the college’s role as a principal partner at the CRRTCC that distinguishes it — and the certification program — according to Brancale.
“No other real-time crime center has had a research partner involved in its operations from the outset,” she noted. “The center presents a distinctive opportunity to equip students with practical skills in a state-of-the-art setting.”
Professor Brian Stults, also co-director of the Real Time Crime Center Research and Policy Institute, concurs, asserting that the program will prepare students for the current job landscape.
“Many individuals entering this discipline possess minimal knowledge of crime and intelligence analysis and acquire most of their understanding on the job,” he explained. “This certificate allows our graduates to leave FSU with a credential showcasing their specific knowledge and experience with these technologies and strategies — that’s a considerable advantage.”
The curriculum necessitates the completion of three core courses and one elective. Most sessions will be conducted in the Learning Lab at the CRRTCC.
“This sector of law enforcement is among the most rapidly expanding, so we aim for our students to be equipped with academic understanding, practical skills, and hands-on experience,” stated Young-An Kim, associate professor and co-director of the Real Time Crime Center Research and Policy Institute. “The demand for this expertise is skyrocketing, making the launch of this program perfectly timed.”
For additional information, please visit the Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis or the Real Time Crime Center Research and Policy Institute.
The article FSU’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice launches new crime and intelligence analysis certificate program first appeared on Florida State University News.