• Znine
• Campus Calendar
• My Mav
• UTA Radio
• UTA Home
• Student Email
• Libraries
• Wikipedia

• Local Forecast
• Movie Listings
• Traffic Info
• TV Listings

April 4, 2007

A Change of Pace

Criminal Justice Center’s new director has big plans

Story by: Zabrina Ransom

The Shorthorn staff

Rick Smith’s charismatic persona doesn’t reflect that of a person who has spent several years in police administration with police departments in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Arlington or that of a former director of the Southlake Department of Public Safety.

Smith is adjusting to his position as the UTA Center for Criminal Justice Research and Training’s new director, a title he received in January.

“This is a great opportunity for me. It’s great for the faculty to connect with the community,” the visiting assistant professor said.

The center was established in 1977 to provide assistance to criminal justice agencies, governmental institutions and citizen groups concerned with the administration and operation of the criminal justice system.

“The center is not a class for students to take. Rather, it is a research and training center which allows for our program to be visible and provide services to the community,” said Alex del Carmen, criminology and criminal justice interim chair. “We can make some research for the faculty while allowing students to be a part of the research projects.”

The center, within the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, looks to establish a working relationship between the department, the university and the community. Smith’s role is to make those connections and share resources.

The center also provides assistance to Metroplex law enforcement agencies in research and training.

“Some law enforcement agencies don’t have the resources to do executive training and research,” Smith said. “We do have the resources.”

The department will host a luncheon in May at the Fort Worth Center, where it will set up the board of directors.

The luncheon will serve as the first board meeting to let those involved with the center ask the executives for directions. There may be some fundraising ideas coming out of it, Smith said.

It will give students the opportunity to work with local law enforcement agencies. Del Carmen said he hopes to get internships for the students through the center.