EDUCATING THE TECHNOLOGY OFFICER OF THE FUTURE: A NEEDS ANALYSIS.

This quantitative, case study explores the importance of IT, CIS, Computer Science, and Communications as interdisciplinary degree programs with criminal justice curriculum. The researchers examined the future technology skills needed by police agencies, the current recruiting trends by police departments and compared these needs with current four year, accredited criminal justice programs. The researchers then examined the perceptions of criminal justice major students and their assessment of the importance and impact of technology in law enforcement today and in the near future. The data demonstrates how criminal justice students' perceptions allude to the importance and relevancy of technology in law enforcement and how CJ programs are not adequately preparing them for future policing needs. In addition, police agencies are not effectively recruiting technology officers to meet current and future technological needs for law enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]