Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - In 2004, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Criminal Justice Department, in association with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, introduced an online First-Line Supervisory Training certificate course geared towards Wisconsin criminal justice professionals. This innovative non-credit program was developed with funding provided by the Department of Justice and focuses on the role and function of the first-line supervisor in criminal justice agencies. The first 21 graduates of the pilot program have just received their certificates and the course is now being offered to criminal justice professionals throughout the country.

After the success of its first joint project, UW-Platteville's Criminal Justice Department is continuing its association with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. A new non-credit course, Leadership in Police Organizations, is being developed for mid-level supervisors in the criminal justice field. This interactive online program will explore theories of leadership, human motivation, employee satisfaction, and peak performance as they relate to the achievement of organizational goals. Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Justice are working with UWP faculty to ensure that the program is relevant to the law enforcement profession.

The working relationship between UWP and the Department of Justice has resulted in more than new course offerings. "Our experience in working with the DOJ developing these online training programs has been phenomenal," says Dawn Drake, executive director of UWP's Alternative Delivery Systems. "We have developed a true partnership, which has been mutually beneficial to both organizations. Most importantly, we have been able to provide a training opportunity for criminal justice professionals that is relevant, timely, and convenient. We look forward to continuing our work with the DOJ on a number of initiatives."

Michael Roberts, administrator for the law enforcement office of the Wisconsin District Attorney General, is also enthusiastic about the working relationship between UWP and the Department of Justice. He attended the graduation ceremony for the first supervisory training participants and noted: "This evening marks a historical time for us because we have never before involved ourselves with any kind of distance education. It really fulfills a dream of the director of the Training and Standard Bureau, which is to have the ability to provide training to all levels of law enforcement from recruit right up through the executive level. We're very excited about being with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville." Registration for the next session of First-Line Supervisory Training will be open online July 1-Aug. 29. Leadership in Police Organizations will be available online in fall 2006. For further details, visitwww.uwplatt.edu/disted or contact Dr. Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller, director of UWP's online criminal justice program, at 608-342-1652 or at banachoc@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Dr. Cheryl Banachowski-Fuller, director of UWP's online criminal justice program, (608) 342-1652 or banachoc@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Ellen McFall,mcfalle@uwplatt.edu