On December 7, Advanced Law Enforcement Investigations students presented their research findings on local safety to a panel of industry professionals at the Welland Campus. The panel of judges included NRPS chief of police Bryan MacCulloch, NRPS investigator Shawn Dowd, Welland crown attorney Andrew Brown, and associate dean of NC’s School of Justice and Fitness Studies Sandro D’Annunzio.
“We are truly partners of the community police service,” said Cindy MacDonald, ALEI professor. “This program would not nearly be as successful without the support of NRPS and our community each year.”
Three groups, selected from a previous competition of five groups, were assigned a neighbourhood in the Niagara region, each with its own law enforcement and safety concerns. Groups were tasked with investigating the area, identifying issues and proposing solutions.
“Once again, with the much appreciated assistance and direction provided by our Niagara Regional Police Service partnership, our students were able to apply their knowledge of community risk and protective factors to identify the underlying social disorder issues often overlooked when considering proactive crime prevention measures,” said MacDonald.
All ALEI presenters pose with the judges panel following the competition.
Following the presentations, the judges selected one group to win the annual competition. Chief MacCulloch presented Nathan Torraville, Alex Cianflone, Samantha Small, James Galie and Chris Vonlanthen each with a medal for their accomplishments. ALEI alumni and previous winners of the competition presented the group with a plaque.
“I think [the experience] gives students the opportunity to meet with members of our service and have a better understanding of the job they’re potentially going to find themselves in,” said MacCulloch. “I really compliment the College in terms of the problems their asking the students to address.”
Cianflone believe that investigating real community issues has helped him to develop a stronger work ethic.
“You always want to out your best foot forward in front of these people. Their time is valuable,” said Cianflone.
The competition followed a presentation by MacCulloch to the ALEI class on December 6 about effective leadership in the industry.
“He talked about being honest and humble, having humility,” said Torraville. “Being a good leader is about influencing people, and helping people be successful.”
During his visit, MacCulloch expressed the importance of a commitment to leadership development throughout the careers of ALEI graduates.
“Chief MacCulloch is exceptionally personable and our students enjoyed listening to his thoughts on the dos and donts of strong leadership, the effectiveness of situational leadership in a policing environment and the inherent challenges in always doing the right thing,” said Mark Simchison, ALEI program coordinator and professor. “His thoughts reinforced those of two Niagara Regional Police Service constables who graduated from our programs a few years ago and presented their insight on the importance of leadership at the front-line level last month.”
