First Responders’ Professional Development Series Set at TAMIU

Admissibility of evidence and how to communicate during a crisis situation are the topics of two upcoming professional development courses sponsored by Texas A&M International University and the Texas National Guard.

These courses are free and open to the public, but first responders are especially encouraged to attend.

Both courses will meet in the TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center room 102.

“Overruled: The Admissibility of Evidence in Court” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 7 – 8:15 p.m.

This course will focus on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the admissibility of evidence in the criminal prosecution of drug and other cases. The briefing will also examine the historical and recent federal cases on evidence courtroom procedures and provide an account of cases which have been overturned because they did not adhere to current case law.

“Communication in Crisis Situations” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 from 7 – 8:15 p.m.

Learn to handle communication in crisis and emergency situations with this briefing. The course will focus on the principles of communication and the delivery of vital information especially during crisis situations. It will also focus on skills for managing hostile reactions and on assessing strengths and weaknesses in the communication of information. First responders are strongly encouraged to attend because of their need to communicate effectively with the public in crisis and emergency situations.
Upcoming courses include community resource mapping, narco-terrorism and international organized crime, overview of the federal criminal justice system, overview of Texas criminal justice system, terrorism law, immigration law, globalization and more.

For more information, contact Dr. Claudia San Miguel, director, TAMIU criminal justice program, at csanmiguel@tamiu.edu or 326.2529 or visit offices in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall 302J.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu