黑洞社区

Academic Interests:

• Adapting the learning theory of andragogy in police training environments
• Evidence based policing  
• Community oriented policing strategies   
• Racial Profiling
• Using Randomized Controlled Trials in policing research
• 20th Century Police Reformer, O.W. Wilson  
• Engaging undergraduate students in research     

Expertise:

• Police Operations  
• Racial Profiling
• Qualitative Research Methods  

• Racial Profiling (The experiences of citizens of color and police perspectives)
• Police reform in Wichita: The O. W. Wilson era (1928-1939)         

• Policing
• Qualitative Research
• Research Methods
• Racial profiling

Books Published 

1. Birzer, M.L. (forthcoming). Police reform in Wichita: The O. W. Wilson era. University Press of Kansas.
2. Birzer, M.L, & Holland, R. (2024). A criminological guide and theoretical exploration of serial killers and infamous murders (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing. (First edition published in 2020) 
3. Birzer, M. L., & Moore, L. E. (2023). Reimagining policing in the age of reform. Kendall Hunt Publishing.  
4. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2020). Police operations: Theory meets practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall. (First edition published in 2008, second edition published in 2015)
5. Palmiotto, M. J., Birzer, M. L., & Brown, A. (2018). Police officer exams (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.   
6. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2017). In their own words: Criminals on crime (7th ed.). New York: Oxford Publishing.   
7. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M.L. (2014). In their own words: Criminals on Crime (6th ed.). New York:  Oxford University Press.    
8. Birzer, M.L. (2013). Racial profiling: They stopped me because I鈥檓 ---! Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.
9. Birzer, M.L., Bayens, G., & Roberson, C. (2012). Principles of police management and leadership. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.    
10. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson C. (2012). Introduction to criminal investigations. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.  
11. Roberson, C., & Birzer, M.L. (2010). Introduction to private security: Theory meets practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
12. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2007). Policing, Today and Tomorrow, Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall Publishing.    
13. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2004). Introduction to Corrections (2nd ed). Wadsworth publishing.

Selected Journal and other Publications

1. Birzer, M.L., & Cory. C. (2024). Tele-Cops: A New Era in Modern Policing. Police Chief Magazine. 
2. Davis, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2024). An Ethnographic Study of Police Culture in a Rural Kansas Police Agency. Policing: An International Journal.  
3. Birzer, M. L. (2023). Police perspectives on racial profiling. In M. L. Birzer, & L. E. Moore (Eds.), Policing reimagined in an era of reform (pp. 1-14). Kendell Hunt Publishing.   
4. Birzer, M.L. (2019). The psychological and societal impact of biases. In G. Overstreet, Educator guide: The real education of T.J. Crowley (pp. 25-29). Grain Valley Publishing.
5. Birzer, M. L. (2017). Racial profiling: The intersection of race and policing. In M.J. Palmiotto (Ed) Police use of force: Important issues facing the police and the communities they serve (pp. 81-111). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.    
6. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2017).  The experiences of Black police officers who have been racially profiled: An exploratory research note. The Journal of African American Studies, 21(4), pp. 567-584.   
7. Alexander, R., & Birzer, M.L. (2016). Changing trajectory: An integrated theoretical view of the Roman Catholic priest sex abuse scandal. Deviant Behavior, 37(9), pp. 977-988.      
8. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M.L. (2012). Neutralizations of a career criminal: The curious case of George. Criminal Justice Review, 37(4), 512-526.      
9. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M. (2012). Integrating the police ride-along as an experiential learning strategy in criminal justice courses. ACJS Today, 37(5), 1-12.   
10. Birzer, M.L. 2012. Crime Scene Search. In: Birzer, M.L. and Roberson, C. (eds). Introduction to Criminal Investigation. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 35-45.
11. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2010). Factors that contribute to the success or failure of risk reduction initiative clients. Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal, 5 (2), 43-54.
12. Knowles, M.T., & Birzer, M.L. (2009). Community policing: Can we learn from rural and small-town police? Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 9 (4), 71-80.       
13. Birzer, M.L. (2008). What makes a good police officer? Phenomenological reflections from the African American community. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 9(3), 199-212.
14. Birzer, M.L., & Craig-Moreland, D.E. (2008). Using discriminant analysis in criminal justice research. Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal, 3 (2), 33-48.     
15. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2008). The militarization of the American police force: A critical assessment. Critical Issues in Justice and Politics, 1(1), 15-29.
16. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2008). The emotional and behavioral impact of burglary: A case study of victims in a Midwestern city. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 2 (8), 129-146.   
17. Etter, G.W., Birzer, M.L., & Fields, J. (2008). The jail as a dumping ground: The incidental incarceration of mentally ill individuals. Criminal Justice Studies:  A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 21(1), 77-87.      
18. Etter, G.W., & Birzer, M.L. (2007). Domestic violence abusers: A descriptive study of the characteristics of defenders in protection from abuse orders in Sedgwick County Kansas. Journal of Family Violence, 22(3), 113-119.    
19. Birzer, M.L., & Smith-Mahdi, J. (2006). Does race matter? The phenomenology of perceived discrimination among African Americans. Journal of African American Studies. 10(2), 22-37.   
20. Birzer, M.L., & Birzer G.H. (2006). Race matters: A critical examination of racial profiling, it鈥檚 a matter for the courts. Journal of Criminal Justice, 34, 643-651.   
21. Birzer, M.L., & Ellis, R.B. (2006). De-Bunking the Myth that all is well in the Home of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education: A study of perceived discrimination. Journal of Black Studies, 36, 793-814.     
22. Birzer, M.L., & Craig-Moreland, D.E. (2006, March/April). Why do jails charge housing fees? A research note. American Jails.
23. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & Smith-Mahdi, J. (2005). An analysis of discrimination between African American and women police officers: Are there differences? Similarities? Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 18, 347-364.
24. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & McKenney-Brown, A. (2005). Police Discrimination: A  personnel issue.  Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 5, 141-156.    
25. Birzer, M.L., & Brand, M.W. (2005). Community policing in a small and rural Oklahoma Community.  Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 5, 161-174.  
26. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2004). Images of power: A critical analysis of the militarization of police uniforms and messages of service. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 32, 121-128.   
27. Birzer, M.L., Tannehill, R.L., & Palmiotto, M.J. (2004). Police organizational change: learning principles that apply. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 4, 87-110.     
28. Birzer, M.L. (2004). Andragogy: What police trainers should know about adult learners. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 4, 157-167.
29. Birzer, M.L. (2004).  Andragogy: Student centered classrooms in criminal justice programs. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 15, 393-411.  
30. Birzer, M.L., & Tannehill, R.L. (2003). Criminal justice practitioners鈥� perceptions of themselves, each other, and selected criminal justice practices. Journal of Crime and Justice, 26, 77-99.     
31. Birzer, M. L. (2003). Learning theory as it applies to police training. In M. J. Palmiotto (Ed.), Policing and Training Issues (pp. 89鈥�114). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Hall   
32. Birzer, M.L., & Ellis, R.E. (2003). Perceived discrimination in Topeka, Kansas. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 31, 133-141.    
33. Birzer, M.L. (2003). The theory of andragogy applied to police training. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 26 (1), 29-42.  
34. Birzer, M.L. (2002). Writing partnership between police practitioners and researchers. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 3, 149-156.  
35. Birzer, M.L., & Palmiotto, M.J. (2001). Job satisfaction in the police organization: Reality or spurious notion. The Journal of Community Policing, 1, 22-28.
36. Brand, M.W., & Birzer, M.L. (2001). Generalist social work practice and community oriented policing. Journal of Community Policing, 1(3), 42-49.
37. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & Unnithan, P.N. (2000). Police training in community policing:  A suggested curriculum. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 23(1), 8-21.          

Selected Technical Reports

• 2023. City of Wichita: Differential police response to low harm and low risk calls for service in Wichita: A randomized controlled trial. Technical report submitted to the Wichita Police Department. 
• 2023. City of Wichita: An evaluation of the Wichita Police Department鈥檚 selection process. Technical report submitted to the Wichita Police Department.
• 2021. City of Wichita: Program evaluation of Lights on Voucher Program. Technical report submitted to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.
• 2021. City of Wichita: Citation/Stop analysis 2019-2020. Technical report submitted to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.  
• 2020. City of Wichita: Citation/Stop analysis 2016-2018. Technical report submitted  to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.
• 2018. Hilltop Community Needs Assessment. Technical report submitted to Dear Neighbor Ministries.  
• 2015. Police perspectives on racial profiling in Kansas. Technical report submitted to the Kansas Department of Transportation
• 2015. City of Wichita Police Department: Assessment report of the operations of the Wichita Police Department. Technical Report submitted to City Manager (With Misty Bruckner and Dr. Andi Bannister).   
• 2014. City of Wichita: Citation analysis report pertaining to racial disparities. Technical Report submitted to the Wichita Police Department.   

• Sedgwick County Sheriff鈥檚 Office (Ret)
• Past faculty positions: Washburn University (KS); East Central University (OK) 

• 2023:  Outstanding Service Award for research services rendered, Wichita Police Department
• 2022: John R. Barrier Distinguished Teaching Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences, 黑洞社区
• 2021: Excellence in Community Research Award, 黑洞社区    
• 2016: Wichita State Alumni Association 鈥淪hinning Shockers Lecture Series.鈥�     
• 2016: President鈥檚 Innovation Award, 黑洞社区          
• 2014: Leadership Fellow (黑洞社区 Leadership Academy)    
• 2013: Distinguished Leadership Award, 黑洞社区 Women Association

Grants and Contracts   

• 2024. Barber County, Kansas. Jail feasibility study (with the Public Policy and Management Center at 黑洞社区). $19,600
• 2022. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst to study the recruitment, selection, and retention of the Wichita Police Department. $1200.  
• 2021. City of Wichita Police Department. Contract for citation analysis. $1407.
• 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst for the 鈥淪afely Seat ICT Kids Car Seat program.鈥�  
• 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst for the 鈥淟ights On鈥� voucher program.   
• 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. (PI). $5,574. Racial profiling citation analysis.     
• 2018. Dear Neighbor Ministries Community Grant, (PI), $10,160. Conduct needs assessment of the Hilltop neighborhood in Wichita, KS.
• 2014.  City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst biased based policing prevention. (PI) $1000   
• 2014. Kansas Department of Transportation / Governor鈥檚 Task Force on Racial Profiling (PI), $32,536  Racial Profiling in the State of Kansas: Phase two.    
• 2009. Kansas Department of Transportation / Governor鈥檚 Task Force on Racial Profiling (Kansas Department of Transportation), (PI), $23,964. Investigation of Racial  Profiling within the State of Kansas: Phase One.
• 2008. Sedgwick County Juvenile Justice Consulting Services, (With Dr. Delores Craig), $32,700 - evaluating the Offender Risk Reduction Initiative.   
• 2005. Sedgwick County Jail Crowding Study, (With Dr. Delores Craig), $15,000        
• 2005. Research Grant: (Co-PI), $67,000 federally funded Project Safe Neighborhood grant.     
• 2004. Research Grant: (Co-PI), $150,000 federally funded Project Safe Neighborhood grant.          
• 2003. University Research Grant, Washburn University 鈥� (Co-PI) A Descriptive Study of Discrimination in the Home of Brown vs. Board of Education. $5,066.           
• 2002. Community Research Grant 鈥� Concerned Citizens of Topeka (Co- PI) 鈥淎 Study   of Discrimination in Topeka, Kansas,鈥� $8,900.   

Current Service

• Gubernatorial appointment, Kansas Board of Indigent Defense Services. Serving second term. (Elected by peers to Secretary of Board)
• Sedgwick County Community Corrections Advisory Board. Appointed by Sedgwick County Commission. Serving third term.
• Editorial Board: Police Practice and Research: An International Journal (Taylor and Francis Publishing). 
• Board of Directors, Wichita Police and Fire Foundation.
• Board Member, Judge Gregory Waller Fellowship Foundation.
• Honorary Board Member, DUI Victims Center of Kansas
• Advisory Board Member, Wichita Beacon News   

Academic Leadership Service

• 2024-Present: Inaugural Director 鈥� Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub at 黑洞社区   
• 2007-2017: Director 鈥� School of Criminal Justice at 黑洞社区
• Seventeen years as Criminal Justice Graduate Program Coordinator at Wichita State University

Professional Leadership Experience  

• Past supervisory and command level experience in large urban Sheriff鈥檚 Office.   

Professional Memberships 

• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences               
• International Association of Chiefs of Police  
• American Society of Criminology                            
• National Sheriff鈥檚 Association