Ph.D. City University of New York Graduate Center
M.Phil. City University of New York Graduate Center
M.A. John Jay College of Criminal Justice
M.S. Tiffin University
John DeCarlo is a nationally recognized expert in community policing and on perceptions of race in policing. He previously was a member of the Branford Police force for 34 years, including six years as chief
Dr. DeCarlo’s current research focuses on police contagion shooting, looking closely at what causes violence to escalate. He is the co-principal investigator on a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant to study racial profiling.
The co-author of three books and numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. DeCarlo’s book, Police Leaders in the New Community Problem-Solving Era, examines community policing in Boston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Newark, studying how police leaders successfully implemented community-policing strategies.
His research focuses on police management, police unions, policing methods, and eye witness identification. His published work includes "Perceptual Differences between Police and Citizens Encountering Weapons Focus Effect" in Police Quarterly and "Does Video Recording Alter the Behavior of Police During Interrogation? A Mock Crime-and-Investigation Study" in Law and Human Behavior.
His wide-ranging research interests also include environmental criminology. Exploring the effect of weather and environmental variables on crime, Dr. DeCarlo discovered that many long-held myths on weather and lunar cycles and their impact on crime appear to be untrue.
As police chief in Branford, Dr. DeCarlo was credited with making the department a model of community policing. He works closely with the New Haven Police Department, looking at gang affiliation and differential association, and at ways to thwart gun violence through the collaborative efforts of police, parole, probation, and the larger community.
The founder of the Center for Advanced Policing at the University of New Haven and co-founder of NexGen Solutions, Inc., Dr. DeCarlo was previously the coordinator of the Police Studies program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He received his Ph.D. in criminal justice and a master’s degree from the City University of New York Graduate Center. He also earned an M.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an M.S. from Tiffin University. He currently serves as chair of the police section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Often quoted in the media about police issues, Dr. DeCarlo has been featured on CBS News, NPR’s All Things Considered, Al Jazeera Television, and in the New Haven Register. A widely sought-after speaker, he participated in Yale University’s Seminar on Racial Disparity in Criminal Justice and the Vera Institute’s conference on Police Change and Legitimacy.
DeCarlo, J (2015)South Norwalk Against Crime BCJI P1.
DeCarlo, J (2016) NSF – Racial profiling study NSF LSS.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor and director of the master’s degree program in criminal justice, comments on multiple factors being investigated in an officer-involved shooting by the Office of the Inspector General.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor and director of the master's degree program in Criminal Justice, comments on the importance of transparency to the community as an investigation into a police-involved shooting of a suspect in West Hartford continues.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor and director of the master's degree program in Criminal Justice, comments that the state police major crimes unit will collect evidence in an officer-involved shooting in West Hartford, Connecticut.
In the Media
The University of New Haven is ranked No. 6 out of 95 schools in the nation in the U.S. News ranking of the Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs and No. 9 in the Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's in Criminal Justice Program discusses the danger of swatting calls and the consequences they pose to public safety.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's program in Criminal Justice, and Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comment on a rise in gun violence in New Haven and the need for community support to help prevent crime.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's program in Criminal Justice, discusses NOTAM, Notice to Air Missions, and why a system failure forced the FAA to ground flights across the country. DeCarlo is a licensed commercial pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on why the police may withhold evidence from the public on the investigation of four college students murdered at the University of Idaho.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice discusses how investigators are a part of a larger team that decides what type of information may be released to the public.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, was mentioned in thi s article, citing a recent Newsweek story he was quoted in.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on why Idaho police may be holding back information in the case of four University of Idaho students who were murdered in their off-campus house.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, comments on the urgency of police to inform the public to be vigilant after four students were fatally stabbed in Moscow, Idaho, as the suspect is still at large.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master’s program in Criminal Justice, discusses how the fear of crime put city of New York out of business for residents.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice says it is not unusual to have internal candidates applying for top positions within policing.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, and Lisa Dadio, senior lecturer, director of the Center for Advanced Policing, and assistant dean of Lee College, analyze why there is a rise in ambush-style attacks on police officers.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, discusses an unusual arrangement for the chief of police in Southington, noting it is not illegal or unethical.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, explains that the type of gun used to assassinate former P.M. Shinzo Abe was an improvised firearm.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, says law enforcement agencies need a database to develop best practices to better serve their communities.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, and David Myers, chair of criminal justice, are working with the Farmington Police Department and several other departments to analyze police-involved shootings and some of the variables in officer responses.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, comments on the number of police officers remaining steady as the population rises, leaving many departments stretched too thin.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, comments on the AirTag technology that may trigger a false alarm if improperly used.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, says it is unfortunate when a police officer makes a mistake. Like an airline pilot, the result can be loss of life.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, discusses the escalation of an incident where a woman answers the door with a knife and fails to follow the sheriff's repeated instructions to drop it.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, comments on the procedures and policies when an officer has his or her authority revoked.
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John DeCarlo, professor of criminal justice, says a police department obtaining Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation leads to high standards and greater transparency.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, is a longtime aviation instructor and licensed commercial pilot, and he says there has been a significant decline in people working in aviation as airlines have been struggling since the pandemic began.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, says police may notify next of kin and, unfortunately, do a lot of death notifications.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on two high-profile cases and if the mayor of Bridgeport, instead of the chief of police, should have ordered two officers put on leave.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the new use-of-force policy in New Haven.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, says that crime will likely increase as more people return to work and use the subways.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the search for a new police chief in New Haven.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the decertification of a New Haven police officer.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, says there are severe consequences for anyone reporting a fake bomb threat as it is a terrorist act.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the amount of paid leave given to a police officer while the department investigated an officer-involved fatal shooting.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice comments on the rise in certain types of crimes as the pandemic continues.
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John DeCarlo, professor, and director of the Master's Program in Criminal Justice, talks about the history of the New York City Police Department.
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John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about the process for hiring police officers and why civil service commissions are needed.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, was asked by Scientific American to review recent research on an interactive lineup procedure that allows for rotation of the face into different positions for identification.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on what accreditation means for police departments.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on why police cadets in training may be required to spend five years on the job before they can transfer.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the approximate cost annually for police protection per person in the United States.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on diversity in police departments.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and chair of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about the Chauvin case and changes that will happen in policing.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and chair of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that there is still a need for better training for police.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, discusses that police training needs to be revamped and more community oriented.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and chair of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about police reform and the latest officer involved shooting.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that it is unusual to place an entire department on administrative status.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the benefits and costs to towns and cities to retain their police force.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that schools need to have additional resources but not by removing school resource officers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and Director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, commented that impeding citizens’ travel based on a license plate is unconstitutional.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the difference between a person of interest and an arrest warrant being issued.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about various criminal scenarios and analyzing the outcomes.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about various criminal cases and police response.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about the officer-involved shooting and the investigation using police body cam footage.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that the escalation of car break-ins has underlying causes that should be addressed with the public.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that once a police officer lies, and is known to lie, they can’t be a cop anymore.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on how the mayor of Bridgeport can hire people for the city to make change happen.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that the simple action of locking your car doors and garage may help to lessen the rising number of vehicle crimes.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that each police department has its own set rules governing private work details.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s program in Criminal Justice, comments on the three factors needed to be present for a crime to be committed.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on how police are trained to interact with their community.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that the basic functions of the police department are impacted when there is friction in the department.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the effect the arrest of the chief of police has on the officers in the department.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on gun culture in American society.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that vetting calls from citizens is critically important for police dispatchers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on implementing a national or statewide educational standard to control who can become police officers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the multiple shootings occurring in New Haven in the past day.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the lack of context by judging only the police video camera in criminal investigations.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on police discretion in matters of law enforcement.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the rapid amount of unprecedented change.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on training and more training for thoughtful policy on the element of lethal force.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on police enforcing “overreaching laws” passed by legislators that are biased against poorer communities.
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Lorenzo Boyd, vice president for diversity and inclusion/chief diversity officer, and John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, both comment on the importance of police education from a classroom instead of a military camp.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, was quoted as a fact source for this article along with The Bureau of Justice Statistics and the SEC.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on what defunding the police would mean in the community.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about policing and what positive changes can be made.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about how police investigations into officer involved shootings need transparency.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, discusses that police and the military should never be confused.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on diversity in the police force.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on filing grievances in the community and police labor relations.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the bill for police reform.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on aspects of defunding police.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks about the restrictions in equipment available for police departments.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and direct of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the powers of Congress for police reform legislation.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and direct of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on police demilitarizing police.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and direct of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on using the funding for police in different ways to handle situations in communities.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and direct of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the mayor’s actions in Joliet.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the rise in domestic violence during the pandemic.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, talks to John Craven about tactical retreat training for officers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on improving police culture.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the need for a college education and better training for police officers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the importance to learn from this event.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, discusses the rise of domestic violence across the country.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the public’s assistance in the Dulos case.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the rise of domestic violence across the country.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, penned an op-ed on policing post pandemic.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on where community policing is heading post pandemic.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, discusses the data that will be analyzed during and after the pandemic.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the executive order on wearing a face mask in public.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on out of state motorists being turned away at state borders.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on briefing officers about the issues around face masks to avoid problems.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the routine activity theory.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the state border check points.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments on the American citizens being stopped at state borders.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor, director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, discusses the recent drop in emergency calls.
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John DeCarlo, chair of the department of criminal justice, discusses the importance of communication between police departments across the country.
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John Decarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and retired Branford police chief, discusses the importance for officers to understand cultural sensitivities.
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John Decarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and retired Branford police chief, discusses the importance of police communicating with the public during an ongoing investigation.
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Associate professors of criminal justice John DeCarlo and Michael Lawlor discuss the importance of the state’s analysis of police data in light of a recent fatal shooting during a traffic stop in Wethersfield.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses recent New Haven police shooting.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and a former Branford police chief, talks about what can be learned on from a recent probe into possible criminal activity of Bridgeport police officers.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and a former Branford police chief, talks about how changes need to start within the police department.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and program coordinator for the online M.S. in criminal justice program, brings attention to the issues within the current criminal justice system.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and program coordinator for the online M.S. in criminal justice program, notes the lack of a failsafe system in place when it comes to vigilante groups.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and program coordinator for the online M.S. in criminal justice program, talks about the personal research he has done about hiring leaders of police departments.
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John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and program coordinator for the online M.S. in criminal justice program, talks about the personal research he has done about hiring leaders of police departments.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, says that despite recent media and community focus on police shootings, these incidents remain uncommon. They are a tiny percentage of the thousands of contacts the public has every day, he notes.
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John DeCarlo, an associate professor of criminal justice, explains how the public might believe that crime is on the rise despite the steady decline over years.
In the Media
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on police use of a Taser after one was used on Bridgeport City Councilwoman Karen Jackson’s son when fleeing from police.
John Decarlo, associate professor in criminal justice, comments that the rise in New Haven shootings could be explained by a theory known as differential association.
John DeCarlo, former police chief and chair of criminal justice, discusses how an off-duty officer use unreasonable use of force by pulling out a gun as a first step.
John DeCarlo, former police chief and chair of criminal justice, comments on how an off-duty police officer drew his firearm immediately upon speaking with a man in a convenience store and why this behavior was so unreasonable. This story was picked up by dozens of media outlets in the U.S. and Australia.
John DeCarlo, former police chief and chair of criminal justice, comments on the dangers of a domestic violence incident and why officers are injured more during those types of calls than on the streets.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on how the admission of perjury by New Haven District chief judicial marshal Thomas Bouley damages public trust and expectations.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the lack of standardized leadership structure for police departments.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses how the increasing number of fatal overdoses in Connecticut can be more accurately seen in rates rather than totals for each affected city. This story ran in other Hearst Media in Connecticut.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the increasing rates of fatal overdoses in Connecticut and how the rising prevalence of fentanyl is to blame. This story ran in other Hearst Media in Connecticut.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses how social media allows false information to easily spread and cause mass hysteria, as seen with a false school shooting threat in Milford, Connecticut.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the public and law enforcement response after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses how the marketing and glamorization of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle is contributing to its increasing use in mass shootings.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven, comments on the state police report about the response to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
John DeCarlo, chairman of the criminal justice department and associate professor of criminal justice, discusses how the operating style of New Haven police has contributed to the decrease in New Haven’s homicide rate.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the after-action state police report of the investigation of the police response to the Sandy Hook shooting. The report has not been released, even though the tragedy occurred five years ago. This story was picked up by local and national media.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on Bridgeport Police advertising their profession on their clothing. This article was picked up by local media around the state.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments that while the price of police equipment is expensive, it is worth it.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on head-on car accident in which a Seymour man died Thursday night. The crash involved an East Haven motorist who allegedly was fleeing Orange police following a hit-and-run traffic accident.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the trends with social media responses in crime investigations, especially in regards to Kenneka Jenkins’ death.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and a former police chief, comments on the type of force Law Enforcement officers use today. They often consider public opinion and decisions on using heavy equipment is likely a political decision.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on how the Petit home invasion tragedy has affected law enforcement agencies and how it forced them to step up their training.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the need of many police officers for extra income and says that off-duty work can supplement their incomes without costing the city budget.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and a former police chief, comments on the dilemma police are faced with when a victim has been shot. Covering the body can compromise evidence; not covering it can upset people. This story also appeared in other Hearst papers in Connecticut.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice and a former police chief, comments on the value of police body cameras. This story also appeared in other Hearst papers in Connecticut.
John DeCarlo, assistant chair of criminal justice department, comments on the high-profile slaying of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero and accusations of discriminatory treatment of Hispanics.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on federal agents posing as police to conduct an operation in Hartford to enforce federal immigration laws. Advocates worry the episode could damage the relationship between local law enforcement and the city's population.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the increasing number of women now working in law enforcement. The story was picked up by media outlets around the country including Richmond County Daily Journal, Reflector.com, WRAL, and WBT-FM.
John DeCarlo, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the increasing number of women now working in law enforcement.