RWU Names New Director for Justice System Training and Research Institute

David E. Lambert named School of Justice Studies Assistant Dean, following 25 years in Mass. State Police and 5 years at University of New Haven

By Edward Fitzpatrick
David Lambert

BRISTOL, R.I. ­­– The Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies has named David E. Lambert as Assistant Dean and Director of the Justice System Training and Research Institute at RWU.

“We are fortunate to have Dave Lambert join us,” RWU Interim Provost Robert A. Cole said. “He is an expert in his field, and he has a long-standing relationship with the university as a trainer for many of our programs.”

“The School of Justice Studies is very excited about the arrival of Dr. Lambert,” School of Justice Studies Dean Eric F. Bronson said. “As a retired Massachusetts State Police Officer, he brings practical expertise matched with exceptional academic credentials that will enhance the training offerings and maintain the Justice System Training and Research Institute as the premier training center throughout the Northeast. The students at RWU will dramatically benefit from Dr. Lambert as he brings many years of academic experience.”

The Justice System Training and Research Institute offer professional development programs to police departments and other justice system agencies through New England, aiming to foster innovation, lead change and pursue evidence-based solutions to contemporary criminal justice issues.

“We want to build the criminal justice problem solvers and change agents of the future at the Justice System Training and Research Institute,” Lambert said. “The foundation of our mission is professional development opportunities such as first-line supervisor, mid-management and executive development courses. JSTRI can enhance organizational effectiveness through innovation, change leadership and the development of data-driven policy making through leadership development as well as providing action research and technical assistance to police agencies and other criminal justice organizations.”

Lambert served as an assistant professor at the University of New Haven for the past five years, teaching courses in policing, statistics, crime mapping and criminology. While there, he was the principal investigator for Project Longevity, working with a team of researchers to design analytical products for police agencies to reduce gang violence in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport, Conn. He has been a consultant on homeland security subjects, including information sharing, critical infrastructure protection and fusion center operations.

Prior to his academic career, 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, hospital gunshot wound and firearms trace data through a U.S. Department of Justice Targeting Violent Crime Initiative grant award.

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, a 10-month police management development program.