Starting at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, Dr. William Sandel planted his roots in biology.
During his junior year, he became interested in the theory of crime and crime prevention. He double majored (marine biology and criminal justice), and serves as an example of how to combine criminology with other passions.
“Look at what your future job needs.”
Sandel points out that to competitively apply for the FBI, you’ll need to combine your criminology degree with another, specific passion: international studies, forensic accounting or a foreign language.
Where does criminology converge with your life goals?
Research
As an avid hunter, fisher and general fan of the outdoors, it’s easy to see why Sandel’s master’s thesis was about wildlife crimes.
He worked with data on the sentencing of crimes on wildlife versus people, examining the gravity of the crimes and sentences. For his dissertation, Sandel analyzed police and citizen perceptions of use of force.
Sandel’s interests took to the researching of active shooters. He became a research specialist for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).
At ALERRT, at Texas State University, Sandel researched and bettered the methods with which emergency response teams mitigate active shooter situations. He also helped develop the standardized system that allowed all response teams to work seamlessly together.
Sandel operated in simulations that tested the use of distraction, flashlights, firearms and more when confronting an active shooter.
Teaching what he loves
Sandel loves conversing on his research. He spoke at the 2018 ALERRT Conference.
Students can learn from Sandel in criminology classes like CRM 397, “Active Shooter Events,” and CRM 401, “Wildlife Criminology.”
The department offers a certificate in conservation law enforcement.
If you’re just entering the world of green criminology, check out the Division of International Criminology’s green criminology issue (.pdf), edited by MSU’s Dr. Marijana Kotlaja and featuring Dr. Sandel.
If you’re interested in conservation law, stop by and say hi. Dr. Sandel has plenty of stories and experience.