Saint Leo University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Saint Leo University (SLU) signed an agreement with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to provide online and residential criminal justice degree programs. The courses will be offered through the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) at MacDill Air Force Base.
The new partnership will allow soldiers and officers in military and civilian Special Operations Forces (SOF) from around the world the opportunity to earn a certificate in homeland security or a bachelor in criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security.
USSOCOM’s partnership with a university to provide criminal justice training marks the culmination of a decade long trend of Special Forces and law enforcement agencies converging. A March 2012 report from JSOU noted the shifting expectations and mission creep that SOF soldiers were experiencing.
The report concludes that if SOF operators are to be expected to perform traditional law enforcement duties—such as securing warrants before raiding high value targets and collecting and preserving evidence for later criminal prosecution—then they must be trained to do the job effectively.
The partnership with JSOU also creates the opportunity for SLU curricula to be integrated into various professional military education schools.
Follow Alex Wukman on Twitter @AlexWukmanCMN
Facebook Comments