In the Field with the Center for Technology & Industry is a series focused on profiling our expert faculty, program leadership, and key players associated with our academic programs and Workforce Development initiatives at New England Institute of Technology.
Name: Michael Pezzullo
Title: Department Chair, Criminal Justice Studies
Oversees the following program(s): Criminal Justice Studies
1.) Reflect upon your role here at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. How did your career path lead you to ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳? How long have you been here? What do you love about your industry?
Pezzullo: I’ve been in law enforcement since 1997, starting as a Patrol Officer with the Cranston Police Department. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles including Crime Scene Technician, Field Training Officer, and Detective Sergeant in both the Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Criminal Investigations Unit. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015 and currently serve as the Administrative Lieutenant and the Assistant Patrol Commander. Throughout my career, I’ve been heavily involved in investigations, training, and developing officers, which naturally led me toward education.
I began teaching at the New England Institute of Technology in 2009 as an adjunct instructor and transitioned to a full-time faculty role in 2019. Since then, I’ve taken on additional responsibilities, including serving as Chair of the Criminal Justice program. My transition into ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ was really a continuation of what I was already passionate about which was training, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of professionals. At this point, I’ve been part of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ for over 15 years, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.
What I love most about being a leader in both law enforcement and education, is the impact. In policing, you have the opportunity to directly serve and protect your community, often during critical moments in people’s lives. In education, you’re shaping future professionals, helping them build the skills, judgment, and confidence they’ll carry into their careers. I also love how dynamic the field is; no two days are ever the same, and there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s evolving investigative techniques, technology, or legal standards. That constant evolution keeps the work engaging and meaningful.
2.) What are the biggest challenges facing your industry today, and how can education and training help address them?
Pezzullo: One of the biggest challenges right now is recruiting and retention. Fewer people are getting into law enforcement, and the expectations and demands of the job keep increasing. At the same time, there’s a lot more scrutiny, which means officers need to be better prepared than ever tactically, professionally, ethically, and legally.
Another challenge is how fast things are changing. Technology, social media, investigative techniques, and case law are all evolving so quickly. If you’re not staying current, you will fall behind fast.
That’s where education and training come in. We need to do more than just teach the basics; we need to build critical thinking, decision-making, and especially communication skills. Scenario-based training, real-world applications, and exposure to current tools and practices are key. The goal is to prepare people for what the job actually looks like today, not what it looked like 20 years ago.
At the end of the day, good training builds confidence, competence, and professionalism and that’s what the profession needs right now.
Michael Pezzullo, Department Chair of the Criminal Justice Studies program at New England Institute of Technology
“Criminal justice plays a bigger role in the economy than most people realize. At the most basic level, it creates stability. When people feel safe, businesses can operate, communities grow, and investment follows. Without that foundation, everything else struggles.”
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Michael Pezzullo, Department Chair of the Criminal Justice Studies program at New England Institute of Technology, is teaching proper evidence processing techniques with the students in our Forensics Lab.
3.) What role does criminal justice play in our economy?
Pezzullo: Criminal justice plays a bigger role in the economy than most people realize. At the most basic level, it creates stability. When people feel safe, businesses can operate, communities grow, and investment follows. Without that foundation, everything else struggles.
It also directly contributes through jobs and infrastructure; law enforcement, courts, corrections, private security, forensic services, and all the support systems that go with them. There is also a significant amount of funding tied to public safety at the local, state, and federal levels.
Beyond that, these CJ pathways help to reduce economic loss tied to crime. Theft, fraud, and violence all have real financial impacts on individuals, businesses, and communities. Effective policing and investigations help minimize those losses and hold people accountable.
Additionally, the rehabilitation and reentry of convicted offenders plays a significant role as well. If done right, it helps people get back into the workforce and become productive members of society, which benefits the economy as a whole.
At the end of the day, criminal justice supports economic growth by maintaining order, protecting assets, and creating an environment where people and businesses can succeed.
4.) How do you measure student success?
Pezzullo: I measure student success in a few different ways, but it really comes down to whether they can apply what they’ve learned. It’s one thing to do well on a test, but I’m more interested in whether they can think through a scenario, make decisions, and communicate it clearly; these skills are necessary in every pathway in Criminal Justice.
I also look at growth. A lot of students come in with little to no experience, so seeing their confidence, professionalism, and attention to detail improve over time is a big indicator of success.
I also assess other factors such as, are the students participating, asking questions, and taking the work seriously? That usually translates directly to how they’ll perform in the field.
Finally, I look at outcomes. Are they getting internships, landing jobs, or continuing their education? At the end of the day, success means they’re prepared for the next step and can perform when it matters.
5.) What excites you about the future of your field? How is your industry evolving, and what opportunities do you see ahead?
Pezzullo: What excites me most about the future of this field is how much it’s evolving. We’re seeing major advances in technology which includes everything from digital forensics and data analysis to body-worn cameras and real-time information sharing. These tools are making investigations more precise and helping officers make better decisions in the moment.
The industry is also putting a bigger emphasis on training, professionalism, and accountability. There’s a clear shift toward better decision-making, communication, and critical thinking, which is a good thing for both the profession and the community.
From an opportunity standpoint, there’s a real need for well-trained, motivated people coming into the field. Agencies are looking for individuals who are educated, adaptable, and ready to handle the complexities of the job today.
For our students, that creates a lot of opportunity. If they come in with the right mindset and strong foundational skills, there’s room to grow, specialize, and build a solid career. It’s a challenging field, but it’s also one where you can make a real impact, and that’s what makes it worth it.
