Founded in 2002 and based at the School of Criminal Justice, the Center for the Study of Public Security (CSPS) offers a multi- disciplinary approach bringing together Rutgers-Newark faculty in the areas of terrorism, policing, globalization, constitutional rights, law, environmental safety, business, public health and more. Collaborating partners within the university include the Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers University School of Law, and Rutgers College of Nursing.

CSPS's primary objectives include the academic study of the ways in which democratic societies can effectively address and cope with crime, terrorism and other threats to public security. The Center has included in its mandate an outreach component, coordinating discussions and consultations across academic, professional, corporate and governmental agencies.

CSPS has been active in a number of different areas of interest. Over the years it has sponsored a number of conferences and symposia including: "Technology and Terrorism: Preparation and Response." (2003); "Social, Economic and Legal Consequences of Heightened Security" (2004); "Forum on Security and the Role of the Media" 2006 and "Private Security Concerns" (2007).  This coming year (2008-2009) the center is involved in a series of programs on Risk Assessment through sponsorship of the Rutgers Academic Excellence Fund and the ROIC of the New Jersey State Police.

In an unprecedented way, the Center engages all parts of the University (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Nursing, Engineering and Business) in exploring with community agencies the major consequences of heightened security. CPSP represents the Newark campus on the Rutgers University Homeland Security Initiative, is part of the
statewide consortium on homeland security, and is represented on the Counter-terrorism Preparedness College of the State of New Jersey.

Further, the center engages students and faculty in developing an ongoing research program around the topics that will be the focus of our conferences. An early product of this work is a research paper published in the Campbell Collaborative Criminal Justice series, entitled "The Effectiveness of Counter-Terrorism Strategies: A Campbell Systematic Review," authored by Cynthia Lum (George Mason University), Leslie W Kennedy (Rutgers University) and Alison Sherley (Rutgers University). This paper can be viewed at
http://campbellcollaboration.org/doc-pdf/Lum_Terrorism_Review.pdf

The Director, Professor Kennedy, is also the author (with Erin Van Brunschot) of "Risk Balance and Security" (2008, Sage) which presents an interdisciplinary approach to public security.

Contact: Professor Kennedy
         University Professor
         Rutgers School of Criminal Justice
         973-353-3310