A&M System Regents OK Tarleton Institute for Predictive Data Analytics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 30, 2020

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved creation of Tarleton State University’s Institute for Predictive Data Analytics in Criminal Justice, a part of the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies.

“The institute comes at a time when racial profiling, use of force and increased police officer safety are of national concern,” said Tarleton President Dr. James Hurley. “The institute will strengthen the criminal justice community worldwide by encouraging policies and practices based on robust academic research.

The institute was created to foster evidence-based research in predictive policing — the application of analytical quantitative techniques to identify likely targets for police intervention and prevent crime or solve past crimes through statistical predictions.

“We expect the institute to lead efforts toward a better understanding of criminal justice data,” said institute Director Dr. Alex del Carmen, Associate Dean of the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies. “Our first steps will involve analyzing racial profiling data across the state with the intent of better understanding patterns and practices.”

Additionally, the institute will support faculty and doctoral students’ needs for research; conduct projects with law enforcement agencies for actionable intelligence; and facilitate research seminars and partnerships throughout the country.

Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 14,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.

Contact: Phil Riddle
817-484-4415
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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