A Primer for Law Enforcement Professionals that Transition to Community College Leadership.

communities across the country, law enforcement officials are retiring and entering a second career in academia. Community colleges are looking to law enforcement veterans to teach and lead their criminal justice programs. Unfortunately, colleges and universities do not have a designated handbook or protocol to assist criminal justice professionals with the transition into academia as department or program coordinators. New coordinators may struggle in adjusting to new terminology, protocols, processes, and challenges as part of their transition into a second career.
Transitioning into academia from law enforcement can be a difficult and complicated process. As a result of this dissertation, a Primer was created that can be used by law enforcement professionals, as well as community college institutions interested in making the transition smoother and shortening the adjustment period. The Primer originated from the need to develop a system that makes it easier for new educators to understand and become more proficient in leadership, recruiting, academic processes, politics, and pitfalls of the position. This Primer will help coordinators reduce their adjustment time and lead the next generation of criminal justice practitioners into the 21st-century workforce.