Criminal Justice Professor Eileen Kirk welcomed alumni to her First Year Experience (FYE): Behavioral Sciences course today to discuss various aspects of the criminal justice system. Nicole Berthiaume'06,'13 of LifeStance Health, Maeghan Alansky '24 of the  Fitchburg District Court, Travis Morcaldi '22, '23 of the Fitchburg Police Department, and Jevon Brown-Simpson '18 of the Massachusetts Department of Correction discussed their experiences at Fitchburg State University and how it lead them to their current careers.

Students in Professor Michael S. McCutcheon's Criminal Investigation course got to try their hands at fingerprint collecting. After leaving their own fingerprints on various surface types, the students dusted, and lifted the prints using situation/surface specific methodologies. The course will enables the student to understand the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process. They will explore investigative techniques in crime scene search, collection and use of evidence and information. This semester students are using Dr. McCutcheon's recently published Crime Scene Workbook. Learn more about our Criminal Justice Program here.

Economics, History and Political Science Professor Paul Weizer, introduced  Criminal Justice Program  Professor Michael S. McCutcheon  in the Ellis White Lecture Hall. As part of Fitchburg State University's week long observation of Constitution Day 2025 McCutcheon presented "Due Process and Law Enforcement." The week full of events are organized by the General Education Program co-sponsored with the Office of Student Engagement and the Student Government Association.

The 13 members of the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday September 12, 2025 before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. All of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As President Donna Hodge told the assembled graduates and audience, “This academy is more than a program, It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect." Read the full article here.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss went over the lesson plan for his Domestic Terror & Hate Crime in the McKay Campus School this morning. This course introduces students to the variety of extremist groups within the United States and examines their history, nature, extent and dangerousness. It also explores hate crime, a relatively new responsibility of the criminal justice system. Students will look at the social construction of hate crime and issues concerning its enforcement.

the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) was joined by Massachusetts District Attorney Association, Director of Training Jessica Stone, ADA David Yasinovsky along with interns Justin Xu, and Keiran Clark for mock trial sessions This exercise gives the students a feel for how they will be examined in a court proceeding.

Spencer Police Sergeant Patrick Waugh took the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) outside of the McKay Campus School to review proper motor vehicle stop procedure. Later on, the Student Officers will be given various scenarios to work through in teams.

In addition to all of their coursework, physical training, defensive tactics, hands-on training, etc., the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) staff have stressed the importance of public speaking. Student Officers are expected to be able to speak extemporaneously on a variety of topics daily. This reinforces the students ability to think on their feet and express themselves clearly and concisely. Yet another "soft" skill that will help them succeed as law officers.

Students in the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) began their motor vehicle stops coursework this morning with Spencer Police Sergeant Patrick Waugh.

This afternoon, students in our Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) worked on crash scene investigation with Det. Steve Foley of the Walpole Police Department. Cadets were given various crash incident scenarios, and worked their way through them in real time. Afterward, they received feedback on their performances. Two Criminal Justice students acted as the crash victims.