Jacksonville, AL — With ongoing support from the State of Alabama, Jacksonville State University (JSU) is strengthening its commitment to law enforcement education through expanded forensic training. Governor Kay Ivey has awarded $150,000 to JSU’s Center for Applied Forensics, part of a broader $265,000 statewide investment in police training initiatives administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
“Our law enforcement officers work tirelessly to protect our communities by solving crimes and putting offenders behind bars,” Governor Ivey stated in the announcement. “This important training offered by two of our best universities will equip officers with the knowledge and techniques they need to increase their skills and benefit public safety.”
The new funding will allow JSU to continue offering specialized training programs that teach officers how to recognize, collect, and preserve evidence at crime scenes. Participants in the program receive a complete crime scene kit, and both foundational and advanced forensic workshops are provided at no cost to officers or their departments.
“This training is designed to give officers the practical skills they need to properly document, collect, and preserve physical evidence—skills that can directly impact the outcome of a case,” said Mark Hopwood, Director of the Center for Applied Forensics. “By focusing on techniques that are both field-tested and forensically sound, we’re helping departments across Alabama build stronger investigations from the ground up.”
Funded through the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by ADECA, the grant is part of a continued effort to enhance law enforcement capabilities throughout Alabama.
“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these programs that will provide both basic and advanced training to keep communities and residents safe,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.
Jacksonville State’s Center for Applied Forensics has a longstanding history of partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama, offering both educational support and direct forensic assistance. The Center frequently responds to crime scenes in rural northeast Alabama, assisting local departments with complex forensic investigations.
For more information about JSU’s Center for Applied Forensics, visit www.jsu.edu/forensics.
