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Dr. Charles (Chuck) Russo
Program Director Professor, Security and Global Studies
Education
- Ph.D. in Public Affairs
- University of Central Florida
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- University of Central Florida
- M.A. in Instructional Technology/Media
- University of Central Florida
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- University of Central Florida
- A.A. in Associate of Arts
- University of Central Florida
Research Interests
Dr. Chuck Russo is an education and public safety professional with over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. He has a doctorate degree in public affairs, coupled with graduate degrees in criminal justice and education – instructional design. Dr. Russo has been involved in online learning since 1995 and pioneered many of the learning models utilized throughout the world today. Dr. Russo’s recent articles have focused on emerging law enforcement technology, social media and use of force.
Dr. Russo’s law enforcement career has spanned four decades and involved all areas of patrol, special operations and investigations. His response to dynamic incidents earned him several awards ranging from the life saver award to the medal of valor. He has had the privilege and honor of training and educating law enforcement professionals from six continents and numerous countries.
Dr. Russo’s pioneering learning models paved the way for the creation of the online learning environment utilized by millions today. When he created the first online training institute in the U.S. in 1996, he empowered governments to save millions of dollars in training funds by providing efficient, effective and cost conscious training to those in remote, as well as populous, locations. The online learning institutes he has created, supervised, maintained and managed have garnered both national and international awards.
Dr. Russo’s proven knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of public safety and training/education solutions have enabled him to consult with governments and organizations throughout the world. Dr. Russo has supervised and managed domestic and international personnel and programs for university, non-profit, government and Fortune 1000 organizations.
Positions Held
2019 - Present
Mental Health America of East Central Florida
Board Member - Board of Directors
2001 - Present
SPS Innovation Group, LLC
President
2010 - 2013
State of Florida
Team Leader - Regional Disaster Behavioral Health Assessment Team
2006 - 2013
Daytona Beach Police Department
Police Officer
1996 - 2010
University of Central Florida
Instructor
Intellectual Contributions
Compassion fatigue & burnout
Charles W Russo
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2020
Academic Press
Moral injury in law enforcement.
Charles W Russo
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2020
Academic Press
Police moral injury, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction: A brief report
Charles W Russo
April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 2019
Salus Journal
First Responders with Psychological Injuries Must be Eligible for Workers' Compensation, Pensions
Charles W Russo, Stephanie M Myers-Hunziker
March 2019
In Public Safety
States Need Clearer Laws on PTSD Compensation Claims for First Responders
Charles W Russo, Stephanie M Myers-Hunziker
March 2019
In Public Safety
Presentations
Police moral injury, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction.
the Academy of Criminal Justice Science Conference on Justice, Human Rights, and Activism
March 29, 2019
Exploring the roles of moral injury and personality in police traumatization
Academy of Criminal Justice Science Conference on Justice, Human Rights, and Activism
March 27, 2019
Preparing for the future
Operative Intelligence Research Center
January 18, 2019
Official Presentation of the Operative Intelligence Research Center
January 17, 2019
PTSD Is it Pension Worthy
ACJS 2018 Annual Meeting
2018
Religion and State Authority: 50 years of balancing constraint
50 Years of Change
November 10, 2018
Religion and State Authority: 50 Years of Balancing Constraint
Northeastern Political Science Association
November 10, 2018
Utilizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for law enforcement intelligence.
Third IAFIE-Europe Chapter Conference on Intelligence Pedagogy and Contemporary Challenges
September 13, 2018
US local law enforcement: Prepared for its role in intelligence and terrorism?
Third IAFIE-Europe Chapter Conference on Intelligence Pedagogy and Contemporary Challenges
September 12, 2018
Challenges to State Authority and Control: A Comparison of the Twelve Tribes, Scientology, Reichsbürger, and the U.S. Patriot Movement.
International Studies Association Annual Conference
April 5, 2018
Emerging Issues
13th Annual International Association For Intelligence Education
May 22, 2017
Technology and Forensics: The Future of Law Enforcement
AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
April 21, 2017
Shifting from traditional to digital forensics
Technology and Forensics: The Future of Law Enforcement
April 21, 2017
PTSD: Is it pension worthy?
ACJS 2017 Annual Meeting
March 23, 2017
Recruiting police and corrections officers into college programs.
ACJS 2017 Annual Meeting
March 22, 2017
AMU Law Enforcement Executive Program
AMU Law Enforcement Executive Program
May 29, 2014
Online Training Solutions
FBI NAA Executive Board at the FBI National Academy Associates Chapter Officers’ Meeting
March 2, 2014
Critical incident stress management (CISM) integration – academy to administrators
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
March 16, 2012
Combating traumatic stress – the role of CISM teams
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
March 15, 2012
Online criminal justice training policy and procedures standards
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
March 15, 2012
Budgeting dilemmas: Doing more with less
Illinois FBI National Academy Associates Annual Meeting
September 08, 2011
Critical incident stress management
New York/Eastern Canada FBI National Academy Associates Annual Meeting
July 16, 2011
Cost effective technology tools for online learning
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
March 05, 2011
Strengthening American/Canadian Justice Connections
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
March 4, 2011
Psychological and physiological responses to traumatic stress
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 28, 2011
Establishing state standards for online criminal justice training
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 25, 2011
Practical Applications of psychological first aid and critical incident stress management for criminal justice professionals
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 25, 2011
Instructor Led Online Learning
Northeast Florida Law Enforcement Executive’s Association
August 18, 2010
Critical Incident Debriefing
North Carolina FBI National Academy Associates Annual Meeting
June 15, 2010
Using the online environment for in-service training
New Jersey FBI National Academy Alumni Association Annual Meeting
May 20, 2010
Building online communities within a law enforcement agency
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 27, 2010
Critical incident stress management – helping those who help others
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 26, 2010
Customized agency-based online learning on a budget
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 25, 2010
Tweet: Social networking and policing
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 25, 2010
Media Contributions
How officers can minimize exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus
In Public Safety
February 27, 2020
Social Media - Blog
More Research Needed to Understand PTSD-Related Injuries
In Public Safety
April 22, 2019
Social Media - Blog
Four reasons why employers struggle to determine compensation claims for PTSD.
In Public Safety
April 8, 2019
Social Media - Blog
States need clearer laws on PTSD compensation claims for first responders
In Public Safety
March 25, 2019
Social Media - Blog
First responders with psychological injuries must be eligible for workers’ compensation, pensions.
In Public Safety
March 6, 2019
Social Media - Blog
Roundtable: How to land a job in academia
PoliceOne.com
February 13, 2019
Magazine
Evidence Still Points to Oswald as President Kennedy’s Assassin
In Homeland Security
November 21, 2018
Social Media - Blog
Law Enforcement Agencies Should Create a Mental Health Agency Liaison Officer Position
In Public Safety
October 19, 2018
Social Media - Blog
How Law Enforcement is Using Genealogy Testing Services to Solve Cold Cases
In Public Safety
July 23, 2018
Social Media - Blog
How law enforcement is using genealogy testing services to solve cold cases
PoliceOne.com
July 9, 2018
Internet
Is PTSD worthy of pension benefits?
In Public Safety
January 22, 2018
Social Media - Blog
Suicide prevention comes out of the public safety shadows
PoliceOne.com
December 11, 2017
Magazine
Choose an Online Program for a Law Enforcement Career
U.S. News & World Report
December 7, 2017
Newspaper
Suicide prevention comes out of the public safety shadows
In Public Safety
October 20, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Helping first responders recover after Las Vegas shooting
In Public Safety
October 3, 2017
Social Media - Blog
A natural progression
Journal of Higher Learning for Today's Servicemember
June 21, 2017
Social Media - Blog
How a mobile application team can improve officer recruitment.
In Public Safety
May 9, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Finding tomorrow's law enforcement officers today.
LinkedIn Pulse
April 25, 2017
Social Media - Blog
The debate continues…Do cops need a college education?
LinkedIn Pulse
April 25, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Recovering from Orlando: The role of a critical incident stress team.
In Public Safety
April 24, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Recruiting tomorrow's police officers.
In Public Safety
April 24, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Critical incident stress management interventions help heal first responders.
PoliceOne.com
April 19, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Do cops need a college education?
In Public Safety
April 7, 2017
Social Media - Blog
Contributing to research and discussions in the criminal justice field.
In Public Safety
March 7, 2017
Social Media - Blog
The evolution of police: From the 19th century beat cop to today.
In Public Safety
September 19, 2016
Social Media - Blog
The history of online education, 25 years after first website launched.
In Public Safety
August 17, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Recovering from Orlando: The role of a Critical Incident Stress Team.
In Public Safety
July 18, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Improving police response time doesn't reduce crime, so why is it still important?
In Public Safety
May 11, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Failure to provide personal safety equipment can come at a cost
FireRescue.com
March 24, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Failure to provide personal safety equipment can comes at a cost to government.
LinkedIn Pulse
March 14, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Integrating drones into disaster response operations.
In Public Safety
March 6, 2016
Social Media - Blog
Failure to provide personal safety equipment can come at a cost.
In Public Safety
March 1, 2016
Social Media - Blog
The case for training reserve officers to handle internal affairs investigations.
The Police Chief
October 2015
Magazine
Mass shootings: Getting to the heart of the issue.
LinkedIn Pulse
October 27, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Getting to the heart of issues behind mass shootings.
In Public Safety
October 9, 2015
Social Media - Blog
The case for training reserve officers to handle internal affairs investigations.
The Police Chief
September 2015
Magazine
How to turn $10 into a comfortable retirement.
In Public Safety
September 29, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Counseling and other sources to help with career transition.
In Public Safety
September 18, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Beyond the badge: Always keep your options open.
In Public Safety
September 8, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Ashley Madison hack will end careers.
In Public Safety
August 28, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Prevent police-involved shootings with education, training.
PoliceOne.com
August 25, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Police shootings can be prevented!
LinkedIn Pulse
August 17, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Prevent police-involved shootings with education, training
In Public Safety
August 11, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Getting hired The interview board - Part two: The interview.
LinkedIn Pulse
June 18, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Strategies for preparing for a job interview.
Online Career Tips
June 15, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Getting hired as an officer: The interview.
In Public Safety
June 9, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Pursuits, use of force and perceptions
LinkedIn Pulse
June 8, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Pursuits, use of force, and the influence of public perceptions on policing.
In Public Safety
June 5, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Getting hired in law enforcement - The interview board: Part one.
LinkedIn Pulse
May 28, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Become a police officer: What to know leading up to an interview.
In Public Safety
May 18, 2015
Social Media - Blog
UAS for disaster response: Not if but when.
LinkedIn Pulse
May 14, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Integrating drones into disaster response operations.
In Public Safety
May 6, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Why do agencies have reserve officers?
In Public Safety
April 24, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Why do agencies have reserve officers?
In Public Safety
April 24, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Court Rules on Civilian Drones Used to Record Police
In Public Safety
April 8, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Careers & transitions: Degrees in criminal justice.
Journal of Higher Learning for Today's Service Member
April 7, 2015
Other
Change in the Law Enforcement Agency
LinkedIn Pulse
April 7, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Critical Incident Stress Management Interventions Help Heal First Responders
In Public Safety
March 18, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Passed up for promotion: What to do when your best isn't enough
PoliceOne.com
March 8, 2015
Magazine
Putting experience to work: The value of a formal mentoring program
In Public Safety
February 25, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Questionable Police Reform: New Orleans PD Axes Education Requirement
In Public Safety
February 18, 2015
Social Media - Blog
FAA Proposed UAS Policy Changes and Impacts to Public Safety Agencies
LinkedIn Pulse
February 17, 2015
Social Media - Blog
FAA Releases Policies for Unmanned Aerial System Use in the National Airspace System.
In Public Safety
February 16, 2015
Social Media - Blog
When being the best isn't enough.
LinkedIn Pulse
February 6, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Passed up for promotion? What to do when your best isn't enough.
In Public Safety
February 5, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Attack on Paris: How UAVs could have aided police response
PoliceOne.com
January 13, 2015
Social Media - Blog
Paris Terrorist Attacks: How Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Could Have Aided Police Response
In Public Safety
January 11, 2015
Social Media - Blog
The Coloring of America: Do You Identify as Blue, Green, and Tan?
In Public Safety
December 12, 2014
Social Media - Blog
Strong Community Relations Among the Lessons of Ferguson
In Public Safety
August 18, 2014
Social Media - Blog
Memphis Police Blue Flu Protest Sheds Light on Limitations of Tools
InPublicSafety.com
July 10, 2014
Social Media - Blog
Demystifying the background investigation process: What you can expect when applying for a law enforcement job
PoliceOne.com
February 19, 2014
Magazine
Demystifying the background investigation process: What you can expect when applying for a law enforcement job
InPublicSafety.com
February 4, 2014
Social Media - Blog
Newtown shooting: First responders must be prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions
PoliceOne.com
December 14, 2012
Magazine
Ore. mall shooting highlights importance of police partnerships with the private sector
PoliceOne.com
December 14, 2012
Magazine
Certifications and Licensure
June 10, 2020
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
June 10, 2020
CITI - Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
National Competition License
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
Nationally Certified Driving Instructor
Porsche Club of America (PCA)
Awards & Honors
March 5, 2020
2020 INSA Achievement Awards
Intelligence and National Security Alliance
The INSA Achievement Awards were established to recognize accomplishments of leaders in intelligence and national security. The nomination was based on exceptional leadership, positive impact, strong values, and overall excellence.
2004
Best New Corporate University (Second Place)
Corporate University Best in Class (CUBIC) Award
2004
Most Innovative Corporate University (First Place)
Corporate University Best in Class (CUBIC) Award
April 2001
Distinguished Service Certificate
University of West Florida
1999
Commercial Program Award of Excellence
International Association of Correctional Training Personnel
For Pegasus Innovation Group
1997
Award of Excellence in Education
American Society of Association Executives
for APCO International's Virtual Institute
May 1996
Life Saver Award
Winter Park Police Department
Provided emergency first aid that saved an individual's life.
November 1995
Medal of Valor
Winter Park Police Department
Response and apprehension of a violent individual who robbed a restaurant and multiple employees and patrons