Police
Mission Statement:
The purpose of this organization is to bring together Academy member with a particular interest in the police; to facilitate and encourage research and theory development related to policing; to encourage appropriate and effective teaching techniques and practices for police-related courses; to serve as a resource network for and encourage interaction among academic, research, practitioner, and policy-making sectors in order to further knowledge about the police; and to organize conference sessions related to the police.
All members of ACJS are eligible to join the Police Section. The Police Section is one of the largest sections within ACJS, with well over 200 members. An annual digital subscription to Police Quarterly is included with one's membership.
TO JOIN THE SECTION
Only members of ACJS can join a Section. To join ACJS and add a Section, complete the membership application. If you are an existing member and would like to ADD a Section to your membership, please select the Section (only) on the membership application and complete the payment process.
Section membership dues are $37 annually.
Current Section Chair
Eric Dlugolenski, PhD
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Central Connecticut State University
edlugolenski@ccsu.edu
Official peer-reviewed journal of the ACJS Police Section
Police Quarterly is the section’s flagship journal
Editor: John Worrall (University of Texas - Dallas)
Police Quarterly is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to quantitative and qualitative police-related research. The journal is jointly affiliated with the Police Section of ACJS and the Police Executive Research Forum. All members of the Police Section receive digital access to Police Quarterly as a benefit of membership. You can access the Police Quarterly website by clicking here.
Police Forum (the official section newsletter)
Editor: Anastasios Goulos - agoulos@stfrancis.edu / ACJSpoliceforum@gmail.com
The latest edition of the Police Forum is linked: November 2024.
Police Forum, Past Issues:
December 2023
June 2023
December 2022
May 2022
December 2021
November 2020
April 2020
March 2019
January 2018
December 2016
August 2016
March 2016
December 2015
August 2015
December 2014
July 2014
August 2013
April 2013
December 2012
August 2012
Section Awards:
The Police Section of the ACJS confers several prestigious awards annually at its general business meeting during the ACJS Annual Meeting. These awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of policing, including practitioners, scholars, students, and authors. All Police Section members are encouraged to nominate peers deserving of these awards. Self-nominations are also accepted for all awards. Nominations are due to Eric Dlugolenski, Police Section Chair, by October 16th. Email nominations to edlugolenski@ccsu.edu. Any questions about the awards can be directed to Dr. Dlugolenski. Awardees are selected by a committee of at least three Police Section members.
O.W. Wilson Award
The O.W. Wilson is the section's most prestigious and flagship award. Given to recognize outstanding contributions to police education, research, and practice.
Criteria:
The nominee should be a practitioner, policy maker, researcher, or educator who, over many years, has exemplified and supported the following ideals:
- Quality higher education for the police field.
- A distinguished record of rigorous and applied police research.
- Cooperation and collaboration among police educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
- Evidence supporting effective, equitable, and accountable policing.
- A strong record of mentorship to junior scholars or practitioners
- The nominee does not need to be a section member at the time of nomination.
Requirements:
- Submission of a letter summarizing the nominee’s contributions as they relate to the criteria
- A copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae
- Supporting materials are encouraged but not required. Examples below
- Letters of support from other colleagues
 Outstanding Service Award
Description: The Outstanding Service Award is given to individuals who are deemed deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contribution to the Police Section. This award was established to honor those who have provided significant service to the Police Section. Eligibility Criteria:
- The nominee must have provided significant service to the Police Section.
Requirements:
- Submission of a brief summary of the nominee’s contributions.
- Supporting materials are encouraged but not required.
Emerging Police Pracademic Excellence Award
Description: The Emerging Police Pracademic Excellence Award recognizes a police practitioner who champions evidence-based practice and research in policing. This award celebrates those who bridge the gap between academia and practical law enforcement, applying scientific research to real-world policing strategies. It aims to recognize recent achievements in the field and is not a lifetime achievement award.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an active police officer or a civilian working for a police department (civilian and sworn are eligible). Crime analysts, professional staff, and sworn staff may apply.
- Must have a demonstrated commitment to incorporating evidence-based practices in policing.
- Must have contributed to or conducted applied policing research.
- Collaboration with academic institutions or researchers is a plus.
Requirements:
- Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the nominee's contributions to evidence-based practices, including any published research, implemented policies, or collaboration with academic institutions.
- Evidence of a positive impact within the community or department due to the nominee's evidence-based initiatives.
 Emerging Policing Scholar Achievement Award
Description: The Emerging Policing Scholar Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding early career scholar who has shown remarkable potential and achievement in producing quality research in the field of policing. This award is intended to celebrate the future leaders in policing scholarship, encouraging continued excellence and innovation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Ph.D. must have been conferred; the conferral must have been within the last six years.
- Must have demonstrated a capacity to produce quality research specifically related to policing.
- Must show promise for future contributions to the academic and practical aspects of policing.
Requirements:
- Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the nominee's research portfolio, including published articles, conference presentations, and ongoing research projects related to policing.
- Attachment of the nominee’s current curriculum vitae.
Promising Student in Policing Award
Description: The Promising Student in Policing Award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who shows exceptional promise and dedication to the study and advancement of policing. This award aims to encourage and support the next generation of scholars and practitioners in the field.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Policing. Nomination must be made before degree conferral.
- Must have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong interest in policing research or practice.
- Involvement in extracurricular activities, internships, or projects related to policing is a plus.
Requirements:
- Submission of a current academic transcript (unofficial copies accepted).
- Letters of recommendation from professors or professionals in the field detailing the nominee's potential and achievements in policing studies.
- A personal statement from the nominee outlining their interest in policing, academic achievements, and future goals.
Best Policing Book of the Year
Description: The Best Policing Book of the Year Award recognizes a significant book publication that has substantially contributed to the understanding, development, or practice of policing. This award celebrates authors who have provided fresh insights, rigorous research, and innovative perspectives on law enforcement.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The book must be published within the last calendar year (e.g., for the following year's annual conference, the book should have been published in the previous year).
- The book must primarily focus on policing or law enforcement. This includes various aspects of law enforcement functions and disciplines.
- Eligible books can be academic or practitioner-oriented, catering to different readerships within the field.
Requirements:
- Submission of a copy of the book, digital file if possible, but hard copies can be submitted.
- Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the book's significance, contributions, and impact on the field of policing, including reviews or endorsements from scholars, practitioners, or experts in the field of policing, and information about the publisher and publication date.
Award Procedures
- Nominations for each award must be submitted to the Chair of the Police Section by October 16th of the calendar year preceding the annual conference (e.g., by October 16th, 2025, for acknowledgment at the 2026 annual meeting)
- The nominator must be a current Police Section member.
- Â Submission of supporting materials with nominations is encouraged to increase the application's competitiveness. However, supporting materials are not required.
- The nomination is to include a summary of the nominee’s contributions following the award criteria, an explanation of the significance of these contributions, and a current vita or resume of the nominee.
- While we do not require nominees to be section members at the time of nomination, we do request that they join the section upon nomination
Chair
Eric Dlugolenski, PhD
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Central Connecticut State University
edlugolenski@ccsu.edu
Vice-Chair
Anthony Gennaro Vito, PhD
Ball State University
agvito@bsu.edu
Immediate Past Chair
Veronyka James, PhD
Harris County Office of Justice and Safety
Veronyka.James@harriscountytx.gov
SecretaryÂ
Jeff Bumgarner, PhD
Texas State University
jbbumgarner@txstate.edu
Executive Counselor
Jay Wachtel
Policeissues.org
jayw2332@gmail.com
(2026)
Executive Counselor
Zachary Powell, PhD
California State University
San Bernardino
Zachary.powell@csusb.edu
(2026)
Executive Counselor
Clint Rand, EdD
The Center for Law Enforcement Research, LLC
clintrand@comcast.net
(2026)
Student Representative
Josh Davis
Texas State University
jdavis@txstate.edu
Police Forum Newsletter Editor:  Â
Anastasios Goulos, PhD
University of St. Francis
agoulos@stfrancis.edu
Additional Information:
Police Section Constitution: The Constitution for the ACJS Police Section can be accessed by clicking here.