University News
WIU-QC, Moline PD Join Forces
February 18, 2010
MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University-Quad Cities students – as well as police officers from the QC region – now have the chance to learn "on the job" so to speak as a result of a new partnership between the Moline Police Department (MPD) and Western Illinois University-Quad Cities.
The partnership, which began this spring, brings select WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) classes to the high-tech classroom in the MPD's downtown headquarters.
"This outstanding opportunity allows officers in the region and current students to further their education on site and it also provides the department another way to recruit potential new officer candidates," said MPD Cpt. Jerry Patrick. "Students are able to take evening classes from Western's nationally-recognized program and excellent law enforcement faculty in a law enforcement setting. The Moline Police Department recognizes that this partnership is a win-win for both WIU and the City of Moline, and is further proof of the City of Moline's commitment to the new Riverfront Campus."
The idea for classes at MPD headquarters began with a conversation between Patrick and Kristi Mindrup, assistant vice president-Quad Cities and planning, at a Campus Risk Assessment Seminar. After some thought, WIU-QC faculty and administration began discussions to find a way to get classes started at the police department this semester.
"Due to our overflowing classrooms on our 60th Street campus, this partnership – where we bring the classroom to the students – made perfect sense. It's a great way to reach those officers who wish to further their education and further reinforces our commitment and dedication to providing high quality academic opportunities to the citizens of the Quad Cities," said Joe Rives, vice president of the Quad Cities, planning and technology. "This new partnership also allows other students at our WIU-QC campus to have the chance to learn in a law enforcement environment."
WIU-QC LEJA Instructor Dick Janoski is teaching LEJA 330 "Terrorism and Criminal Justice" this semester.
"I thoroughly enjoy teaching this course at the police department," Janoski noted. "MPD, along with the University and the School of LEJA, has worked hard to provide the necessary resources and make this new program work for everyone involved."
In Fall 2010, WIU-QC and the School of LEJA will offer "Organized Crime," "Introduction to External Security" and "Seminar in Current Issues in Security" at the station.
"We are pleased that so many current law enforcement professionals in the Quad Cities region are Western LEJA alumni, and we're excited to add more to that roster through this innovative partnership," said School of LEJA Director Darrell Ross.
For more information on the WIU-QC/School of LEJA and MPD partnership, contact Mindrup at (309) 762-9481, ext. 252.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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