Date: June 30, 2019

 

Hello everyone!

The California Department of Justice has co-sponsored the Certified Crime and Intelligence Analysis Program with the California State University and University of California Systems for the past twenty-eight years. From its inception, it was agreed that while the Universities would provide the curriculum to students enrolled in the Program, the Department, in recognition of their academic achievement, would certify and confer upon graduates the title of Certified Crime and Intelligence Analyst (CCIA).

For many years only three universities and one college have offered the Program: California State University, Fullerton; the University of California, Riverside, Pierce College and California State University, Sacramento, which serves both in-state, out-of-state, and Alpha Group distance-learning students.

Three additional colleges and universities located relatively close to existing Program providers have recently advised the Department that they also desire to offer the CCIA Program. This has placed the Department in a difficult situation.

All colleges and universities have minimum enrollment requirements. They need a certain number of students enrolled in every course in order to at least operate it at a break-even or better point. If too many institutions are competing for the same students, there is a risk that classes could cancel for lack of enrollment. If two universities each have five students enrolled in a class, neither class will operate. But had all ten been enrolled in one class, the class would be a “go.” And when classes cancel, it is the students who suffer as a result. This situation would be avoided if the Department decides to extend Certification only to the students of the original four institutions that currently participate in the Program.

At the same time, however, because the Department is itself a public agency and wants to insulate itself from any claims of “favoritism,” it is hard-pressed to provide a reason that would justify why it should participate with some colleges and universities and not with others.

These are the issues the Department is grappling with now, and with the input of many people, including myself, that it is trying to resolve. As such, the Certification Program is now under review until the Department determines what its best course of action should be. At this moment we have not yet been advised as to when the review will be completed. But as soon as it has, we will pass that information on to you. But in the meantime, all students, including Alpha Group students, who started their Program prior to June 30, 2019 and who complete all of the required classes, will receive their California Department of Justice Certification. Let me repeat that. All

students, including Alpha Group students, who started their Program prior to June 30, 2019 and who complete all of the required classes, will receive their California Department of Justice Certification. The Department will not be issuing Certification Certificates to new students who begin their coursework after July 1, 2019, until they have completed their review of the program and determined if and when their issuance of Certificates will continue. However, students who begin their Program after July 1, 2019 will still receive a Certificate from the University verifying completion of their coursework, as well as a Certificate from the internationally renown Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Units recognizing and acknowledging the successful completion of their Program of Study in Crime and Intelligence Analysis.

So there you have it, folks, and I hope this helps to reduce any concerns you may have had when you heard the rumor. For all of you who have started your Programs, your Certification is assured. For those just starting in the Program, you will receive the University’s and LEIU’s acknowledgement that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to make a positive contribution to the agency you serve.

Best wishes for much success!

Steve Gottlieb Executive Director Alpha Group Center for

Crime and Intelligence Analysis