Justice System Training & Research Institute

Through training and workshops, JSTRI assists law enforcement agencies as they move toward best practices drawn from diverse academic disciplines to address contemporary issues. These trainings encourage the development of critical thinking skills and the use of empirical data for problem solving and decision making by utilizing technology as a means of enhancing "real world" performance.

Click here for the Professional Development Schedule

With over 40 years of combined experience, JSTRI staff is dedicated to improving the criminal justice field for law enforcement professionals and the general public.

The Justice System Training and Research Institute is in some very capable hands under the direction of the director, David Lambert, Ph.D. Since 2002, more than 20,000 justice system professionals from the region and beyond have been trained by the Institute.

Director

David Lambert, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, School of Justice Studies
Director
Tel. (401) 254-3846
E-mail: dlambert@rwu.edu

David E. Lambert is the director of the Justice System Training and Research Institute (JSTRI) at Roger Williams University. Dr. Lambert was previously an assistant professor with the University of New Haven for five years prior to coming to RWU, where he taught courses in policing, statistics, crime mapping and criminology.  While there, he was the Principal Investigator for Project Longevity where he worked with a team of researchers to design analytical products for police agencies to reduce gang violence in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.  He has been a consultant in homeland security subjects including information sharing, critical infrastructure protection and fusion center operations.

Prior to his academic career, Dr. Lambert was a member of the Massachusetts State Police for 25 years, with assignments in research and planning, fire investigation, and homeland security.  He formerly was the special projects supervisor at the Commonwealth Fusion Center. He also managed a firearms data analysis program using National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), hospital gunshot wound and firearms trace data through a U.S. Department of Justice Targeting Violent Crime Initiative grant award.

Dr. Lambert holds a doctorate in law, policy, and society from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in criminology from Florida State University.  He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s Police Administration and Training Program (PATP), a ten-month police management development program.

Assistant Director

Sean Gorman
Assistant Director, Justice System Training & Research Institute
Tel. (401) 254-3320
E-mail: sgorman@rwu.edu

Sean E. Gorman is the Assistant Director of the Justice System Training and Research Institute (JSTRI) at Roger Williams University. He started his career at the Lincoln Police Department as a patrolman in 2002 and soon became an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, Technology Administrator, and Peer Support/Crisis Response Officer. In 2012 he was promoted to Detective where his responsibilities included prosecution, evidence management, and all aspects of forensics and crime scene preservation. He is also a certified crime scene investigator with the International Association of Identification and a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

He is an Adjunct Professor at the Community College of Rhode Island and has lectured in various topics at Brown University and Johnson & Wales University. As an instructor, he has provided comprehensive and specialized training in the application of forensic science to crime scene technicians, death investigations, patrol officers, and detectives.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity from Boston University.  He is also a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and the Rhode Island School of Design where he received a degree in Graphic Design.

Administrative Assistant

Liz Campo
Administrative Assistant
Tel. (401) 254-3731
E-mail: ecampo@rwu.edu

Liz Campo is the Administrative Assistant to the Justice System Training & Research Institute in the School of Justice Studies. In that capacity she provides the primary support for the administrative, budget and accounting management and clerical support for the Justice System Training & Research Institute, as well as serves as a primary point of contact for criminal justice practitioners in their interactions with the Institute.

She began her career at Roger Williams University in 1985 in University College assisting the education faculty and staff with the Teacher Certification Program. She also provided support of the overall operation of the Office of Information Technology as well as provided support for the Dean of Open College for 3 years. She has been in the School of Justice Studies for 19 years.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 2016 from Roger Williams University.

JSTRI is committed to fostering government, academic, and community partnerships. Do you have a need or problem and require assistance? JSTRI can provide technical assistance for all aspects of the criminal justice system. 

Request Technical Assistance

From writing proposals to implementing and managing grants, JSTRI has the experience and skills to assist with your needs.

The grant submission process can be confusing and laborious.  JSTRI offers services to assist with program development, application completion, grant writing, and grant evaluation.  Programs based on collaboration are more likely to receive funding and succeed. 

JSTRI staff has decades of experience with state and federal grant applications. In the recent past, they have been involved with successful Second Chance Act grants and solicitations to combat gang violence. 

Feel free to contact us at jstri@rwu.edu with your needs.

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