Josh joined the Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning in the fall of 2022 as the Law Enforcement Specialist and Simulation Facilitator after working on a variety of projects with the Alliance as a Public Administration Doctoral Fellow during 2021. Before joining UIS, Josh spent 10 years as a city police officer. Josh began his policing career in the small town of West Columbia, SC. He spent four years in Arvada, CO and another three plus years in Springfield, IL. Josh worked as a patrol officer in each city. Josh has a passion for justice and advocacy for victims and vulnerable populations.
During his time in law enforcement, Josh witnessed firsthand the successes and shortcomings of the criminal justice system, law enforcement agencies, and individual officers. Josh has become a champion for improving law enforcement by focusing on successful recruitment and retention, access to evidenced-based training, and enhanced wellness for police officers. Josh believes that affecting these changes can lead to positive impacts within law enforcement as well as officer's engagement with the community.
Josh earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from UIS in 2008 and went on to earn a master’s degree in criminology from the University of South Carolina in 2011. During his graduate work, Josh served as an intern within the Child Fatality Unit of the SC State Law Enforcement Division which propelled him toward a career in law enforcement. Josh has been pursuing a doctorate in public administration at UIS since 2021 where his research focuses on resilience among frontline professionals and relationship building for school resource officers that supports the success of students in public schools.
Josh maintains his Illinois Basic Law Enforcement Certification and continues to serve as a part-time police officer. He is a member of the IL School Resource Officer Association as well as the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing. Josh has previously been certified in Crisis Intervention and as a Peer Support Specialist.