Center for Public Safety | Northwestern SPS | Department News & Updates - Northwestern University Center for Public Safety

Alumni Spotlight: Sgt. Angela Smith

April 2, 2024 - One of two NUCPS community members to graduate from SPSC and earn NUCPS Crash Investigation & Reconstruction's Fricke Cooper Achievement Award, Sgt. Angela Smith of the Wheaton (IL) Police Department discusses her NUCPS crash background, augmenting her interest in mentoring and leadership with lessons learned in SPSC #531, the current challenges of recruiting, and some of the positive changes in law enforcement culture that she has experienced in her 25-year career.

“I enjoy being challenged. When we go outside our comfort zones is when we learn the most about ourselves and the world around us.”

Instructor Spotlight: Meet Sgt. Alexandra Kitty Nelson

April 1, 2024 - Sgt. Alexandra Kitty Nelson is one of two NUCPS community members to graduate from SPSC and earn NUCPS Crash Investigation & Reconstruction's Fricke Cooper Achievement Award. As a student and an instructor, Sgt. Alexandra Kitty Nelson is dedicated to lifelong learning. In addition to her duties with the Arlington Heights (IL) Police Department, she is also a NUCPS adjunct crash instructor and a CIT teacher through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standard Board.

"We need to remember that there is more to our professions that clocking into our shifts every day. I encourage every law enforcement professional to keep your minds and hearts open to the possibilities that exist to create connections and build bridges within our profession and from our profession to others." 

Alumni Spotlight: Commander Dan Grispino, SPSCO #535

Jan. 31, 2024 - Following his graduation from School of Police Staff & Command Online Class #535, Shaker Heights (OH) Police Department Commander Daniel Grispino initiated and led a successful effort to secure a $400,000 grant to expand the agency's Mental Health Unit to include neighboring communities. 

 “I told my chief that it never would have happened if it weren’t for the training that I received at NUCPS, where I learned where to locate such grants and then in turn how to write them. This was my first time writing a grant, and I was able to collaborate in a short amount of time with surrounding agencies. It's really opened so much . . . " 

Celebrating 10 Years of SPSC Online with Lin Krohn

Jan. 30, 2024 - In celebration of the School of Police Staff & Command's 10th anniversary of its online program, we sat down with SPSCO course director, Lin Krohn, to get her take on the development and success of the program. In addition to the immediate benefits of this academically rigorous program, Krohn feels that success in SPSCO "opens the door for [students] to reach for more," inspires graduates to "pay it forward," and helps them maintain their professionalism and integrity through confidence in their competence. 

Congratulations to the 2023 / 24 Fricke Cooper Achievement Award Recipients