Edinboro University's criminal justice club, along with the department of political science and criminal justice, sponsored the first Law, Government and Criminal Justice Day on April 16 in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center.
Formerly known as only Criminal Justice Day, the event featured an expanded job fair, demonstrations and open discussions, all focused on a central theme of "restoring integrity and accountability to public service."
The job fair portion of the event featured representatives from a wide variety of positions, including those in the Erie County Department of Corrections, the U.S. Secret Service, the Army National Guard, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the West Virginia State Police and U.S. Customs & Border Patrol.
This selection was more diverse than in previous years, and according to professor Elvage Murphy of the department of political science and criminal justice, the diversity was necessary in order to cater to different types of students.
"We wanted to broaden its appeal," said Murphy of the fair.
Michael Holman, Training Lieutenant for the Erie County Department of Corrections, believed the job fair was an important opportunity in that it showed students the number of positions available in the field as compared to other fields.
"Corrections is economy proof," said Holman.
Murphy agreed that the job fair was important in showcasing the strength of corrections as a career field.
"Certainly, there has been a greater emphasis placed on the need for individuals in our field," said Murphy.
Student and criminal justice major Sam Miller felt similarly.
"I think some [positions] might be limited, but corrections is always going to be the one they're needing people for," said Miller.
Miller and other students attended several presentations throughout the day. Those offered included a SWAT team demonstration by the City of Erie Bureau of Police and a panel discussion titled "Guns, Violence and the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."
U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper also spoke at the event, making a point to address the day's overall theme.
"She really focused on restoring integrity and accountability to public services," said Murphy.
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