James O’Keefe, Ph.D. “graduated
from St. John’s University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Shortly after
graduation, he began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Texas with the Houston Police Department: “For
the ten years that I was with the Houston Police Department, I served as a uniformed and undercover police officer assigned
to the Vice Squad specifically to investigate narcotics and child pornography cases. I ended up becoming a Special Assistant
to the Chief of Patrol,” says Dr. O’Keefe.
Upon his return to New York City,
in 1981, O’Keefe became the Associate Director of the Office of Management & Budget for the New York City Transit
Police Department. He was soon promoted to Director of Training when the first independent New York City
Transit Police Academy was established. Dr. James O’Keefe retired from the New York City Police Department in 2001 and
became an Associate professor of Criminal Justice at St. John’s University, where he currently serves as Associate Dean
& Professor.” Dr. James O’Keefe is the author of Protecting the Republic: The Education &
Training of American Police Officers.
According to the book description of
Protecting the Republic: The Education & Training of American Police Officers, “This practical
book provides an insightful, real, and detailed analysis of police education and training. Its author, James O'Keefe,
successfully ran the largest police academy in the world for ten years, and comprehensively looks at the logic, structure,
and actual course content police offers should be studying to effectively meet and manage the complex challenges of the 21st
century. His book addresses critical issues in law enforcement education, discusses why police officers do the things they
do, advocates the need of elected officials in local and state government to understand how their police officials should
be educated and trained, and explains the need for a “standard of training.” KEY TOPICS Chapter topics explore
the modern day American Republic, and what makes policing in a democracy so crucial to freedom and human rights; Overview
the key academic subjects that should be taught in terms of police science, law, and most importantly, behavioral science;
review the education and training of law enforcement supervisors, managers, and executives with a wide ranging focus on leadership;
and summarize the key organizational requirements to build a law enforcement organization to sustain the American Republic
in a time of legitimate public safety threats. For use by municipal police academies across the country, local and state elected
officials, attorneys involved in criminal and civil litigation, Executive Development Programs in municipal police department—and
the American citizens they represent and protect.”
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