Policing in the U.S.: Past, Present and Future

About Larry SiegelLorenzo BoydMelissa Morabito

Larry J. Siegel Ph.D. was born in the Bronx New York. While living on Jerome Avenue and attending City College (CCNY) in the 1960s he was swept up in the social and political currents of the time. He became intrigued with the influence that contemporary culture had on individual behavior. For example did people shape society or did society shape people? He applied his interest in social forces and human behavior to the study of crime and justice. After graduating from CCNY he attended the newly opened program in criminal justice at the State University of New York at Albany where he earned both master's and doctoral degrees. Dr. Siegel began his teaching career at Northeastern University where he was a faculty member for nine years. He has also held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. He then taught for 27 years at the School of Criminology and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he is now a professor emeritus. Dr. Siegel has written extensively in the area of crime and justice including books on juvenile law delinquency criminology criminal justice courts corrections criminal procedure and policing. Larry his wife Therese and their dog Sophie now live in Naples Florida where he continues to write on various topics and issues in crime and justice. Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd is a nationally recognized professional in police-community relations and a consultant on urban policing. Dr. Boyd currently serves as vice president for diversity and inclusion in the Center for Advanced Policing at the University of New Haven where he previously served as director. His 14-year service as a deputy sheriff in Boston has informed his 20-year career in higher education. He effectively translates research and theory into practice making him a sought-after consultant trainer and speaker for departments and communities across the country. He works with police leaders nationwide to determine training needs and develops interactive professional development sessions that include real-life scenarios and role play. Dr. Boyd regularly appears in local regional national and international media outlets to discuss policing in the aftermath of high-profile cases. Dr. Boyd is the former president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Science and a life member of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He earned his Ph.D. from Northeastern University in sociology with a concentration in urban policing. He also holds master's and bachelors degrees from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Melissa Schaefer Morabito is an associate professor at University of Massachusetts Lowell in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies and an associate at the Center for Women and Work. She has an MSW from Columbia University and received her Ph.D. in justice law and society from American University. She was previously a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health-funded Center for Mental Health Services and Criminal Justice Research. Prior to her academic career Dr. Morabito was a policy analyst at the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services where she focused on police response to social problems in the community. Her research interests include understanding the intersection between police and public health challenges such as mental illness domestic violence and substance use disorder. Dr. Morabito has extensive experience working with police departments across the United States.