Board of Directors
James “Jim” Ruiz, Ph.D. N.O.P.D., Ret. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice (Ph.D. from the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, M.A. in Criminal Justice, University of Louisiana at Monroe, B.A. and A.A. in Criminal Justice, Minot State University). His previous teaching experience includes serving as an Instructor at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Teaching Fellow at Sam Houston State University, and Assistant Professor at Westfield State College. Dr. Ruiz began his career in the field of criminal justice as a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department in 1967. Dr. Ruiz served in the Patrol, Communications, and Mounted Divisions as well as the Emergency Services Section and the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C). Dr. Ruiz joined the School of Public Affairs Criminal Justice Program faculty in August 2000. Dr. Ruiz has published articles in the
American Journal of Police,
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology,
Criminal Justice Ethics,
International Journal of Public Administration,
International Journal of Police Science and Management, The Critical Criminologist,
Police Forum, and
Texas Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Program Bulletin. Dr. Ruiz has also written a book entitled,
The Black Hood of the Ku Klux Klan. Dr. Ruiz has published and worked extensively in the area of police management of persons with mental illness. Dr. Ruiz surveyed police departments across Pennsylvania concerning policies and procedures for management of persons with mental illness published by The Penn State Data Center. Dr. Ruiz served on a committee selected by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) to develop the current curriculum taught to police officers concerning management of persons with mental illness. Dr. Ruiz was a primary contributor to an education and training video currently in production to aid police officers in the management of persons with mental illness sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). His research interests include police administration and supervision, ethics in policing, police interaction with persons with mental illness, use of force, canine deployment, and the Ku Klux Klan. Dr. Ruiz was selected by the 2003 graduating class of Penn State Harrisburg to receive the James A. Jordan, Jr. Award for “Outstanding Dedication and Achievement in Education.” Dr. Ruiz is also a member of the Penn State Capital College Faculty Senate.
