TAMIU, Laredo Police Department Sign Agreement Expanding Research Collaborations

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) on Monday signed an innovative agreement with the Laredo Police Department (LPD), which opens opportunities for greater cooperation and collaboration in the areas of research, granting and internship.

TAMIU Provost Dr. Tom Mitchell and LPD Chief Claudio Treviño signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Colonnade.

The MOU, the first of its kind between TAMIU and LPD, provides a framework for TAMIU’s faculty researchers to work with LPD to access crime statistics and crime-related data needed to pursue research on the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in law enforcement and governance.

Dr. Mitchell said the initiative is designed to advance TAMIU’s community engagement efforts and open doors to promoting the impact of faculty work on the local community.

“We would like to thank the Laredo Police Department for their partnership and support in starting this remarkable initiative, which allows TAMIU researchers to work in conjunction with a well-established law enforcement organization,” Dr. Mitchell said, “This agreement will also allow us to assist the LPD in identifying issues and topics of mutual interest and support the preparation and submission of research reports.”

TAMIU Provost Dr. Tom Mitchell, left, and Laredo Police Department Chief Claudio Treviño sign the MOU.

Chief Treviño said that the LPD is proud to sign the agreement.

“The Laredo Police Department is proud to enter into this research agreement with Texas A&M International University, which will mutually benefit both institutions, “ Treviño said, “It is of paramount importance that the Laredo Police Department have an opportunity to receive feedback from our citizenry on concerns they have and services they would like to see from their municipal police department. What better reliability than our own community’s University to attain and collect that data and generate valuable, insightful reports that will allow the Laredo Police Department to further enhance the quality of life for our city.”

Treviño continued, “This agreement with Texas A&M International University marks the start of a wonderful partnership which will greatly benefit University students with access to our seasoned, veteran Police Officers and Detectives, with years of service and experience, to help realize students’ dreams of becoming future law enforcement officers.”

TAMIU faculty coordinators for the initiative will be Dr. Peter Haruna, professor of Public Administration and director of its accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and Dr. Fei Luo, assistant professor of Criminal Justice.

“As a fundamental institution of governance, LPD represents the face of law enforcement in the local community,”  Dr. Haruna said, “Collaboration with TAMIU’s faculty researchers will lead to greater knowledge and understanding of how we can work together in partnership to promote police-community relations.”

As part of the agreement, the University will also provide support to appropriate LPD grant proposals, he said.

“We are also excited that under this agreement, we will offer a regular internship course as part of the collaborative effort to train and prepare students aspiring to careers in law enforcement,” Haruna said.

TAMIU offers both bachelor and master degrees in Criminal Justice:  Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences with a Criminal Justice Concentration (BAAS/CJ Concentration), Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) and Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ).

TAMIU’s online master’s degree in Criminal Justice was recently ranked #7 among the Top 10 universities that provide the lowest-cost online master’s degree in Criminal Justice by online source, Grad School Hub.

For more information, please contact Dr. Haruna at 956.326.2613, email pharuna@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Dr. F. M. Canseco Building, room 313J. Additionally, contact Dr. Luo at 956.326.2622, email fei.luo@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Dr. F. M. Canseco Building, room 302C.

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

TAMIU and LPD representatives attended the MOU signing. Pictured from left to right are Dr. John Kilburn, TAMIU associate vice president of Research and Sponsored Projects; Dr. Peter Haruna, TAMIU professor of Public Administration and Master of Public Administration program director; Dr. Fei Luo, TAMIU assistant professor of Criminal Justice;  Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences dean; Dr. Tom Mitchell, TAMIU provost; Claudio Treviño, LPD chief; Fructuoso San Miguel, TAMIU Police Department chief; Joe Baeza;  LPD investigator and public information officer; and Manuel Maciel, LPD assistant chief.