School of Criminal Justice Joins Newark Police and Fire Career Path Program for High Schoolers

The School of Criminal Justice has joined a Newark program designed to prepare high school students for future careers in public safety, including a pathway into the Newark Police and Fire Divisions, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced.

The initiative, a collaboration that includes the Rutgers-Newark Center for PreCollege Programs, was unveiled at a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday. The press conference included remarks from the School of Criminal Justice Dean Nancy La Vigne, Baraka, Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr., and Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León.

The effort  builds on the district’s strategic plan that seeks to create structured pipelines connecting high school learning to college and career opportunities. Barringer High School will become the home for the Public Safety program that will focus on careers that span public services including Police and Fire Departments in the City of Newark.

It also expands the School of Criminal Justice’s involvement with public safety efforts in Newark, highlighting Rutgers University–Newark’s anchor mission and its longstanding commitment to students within the Newark Public Schools.

“The Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice has deep roots in Newark. For decades, our faculty, students, and alumni have been engaged in the city—contributing research, scholarship, and service focused on building safer and more just communities,’’ said La Vigne. “Being located here is not incidental to who we are; it is central to our mission. That makes our partnership especially meaningful.”

Through the initiative, the School of Criminal Justice will work closely with Barringer High School, the Office of Public Safety, and Newark Public Schools to provide high school students with mentoring, internships, academic enrichment, dual-enrollment coursework, and pre-college learning opportunities aimed at preparing students for careers in public safety and public service.

“We are pleased to support students who are curious about public service and public safety, and who want to make a difference in their communities,’’ said Bil Leipold, the school’s Vice Dean.

The City of Newark’s involvement reflects a growing need to recruit and develop the next generation of public safety professionals. By introducing students to these careers early and supporting their academic and professional growth, the initiative strengthens the city’s long-term workforce pathway.

The partnership with Rutgers University–Newark and the School of Criminal Justice will provide students with opportunities to earn college credit while in high school, building a foundation for degrees in criminal justice and related fields.

“We’re excited to announce this collaboration that adds another educational program where Newark students graduate from high school with an associate degree—providing them both financial savings and a head start toward their career,” said  Baraka.

“This new public safety career pathway will also serve as our local solution to the national shortage of police and fire professionals, providing a pipeline of young residents to train for service in our city. And, even if these students ultimately decide that public safety is not what they want to do, the transferable skills they acquire will be invaluable in any career,’’ he said.
.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to providing students with meaningful pathways to successful, purpose-driven careers,” added León. “By aligning our schools with the City of Newark and Rutgers–Newark, we are creating a direct pipeline for our students to serve their communities while building strong professional futures.”

Miranda praised students who plan to participate in the program, which is also supported by Newark Police Chief Sharonda Morris, who is a Rutgers-Newark alumna. 

“I join Chief  Morris and Fire Deputy Chief Larry Best in applauding the young people who are joining this initiative,’’ he said. “Of all the choices they could have made for their futures, we are grateful that they decided to serve the Newark Department of Public Safety through this groundbreaking program,'' Miranda said.