James Desmarais

Bio

Prior to coming to Johnson & Wales University, I accrued 27 years of law enforcement experience across a wide spectrum of positions. I retired as Providence Police detective captain, where I oversaw 137 detectives and detective supervisors.

My positions as a director have included the following departments:

• Prosecution
• Crime Scene Investigative Unit (CSI)
• Police Academy and In-service Training, Narcotics

I also served as an FBI and Smith & Wesson Academy certified firearms instructor. As a SWAT team member for 25 years, I responded to dozens of critical incidents. I was a member of the Brown University Forensic Archeological Recovery Team. I have authored expert opinions for several federal and state lawsuits involving police policies and practices across the country.

I obtained my JD from the New England School of Law and have been an attorney for 20 years. I graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management for Police. I have presented seminars across the country on liability for special operations. I have also been a course auditor and consultant for the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Professional Memberships

• International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2011-present
• Rhode Island Criminalistics Association, 2011-present
• Rhode Island Bar, 1997-present
• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, 2011-present
• Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences, 2011-present

Sample Courses

• CJS 1002: Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CJS 2040: Corrections CJS 2150: Criminal Justice Ethics
• CJS 2050: Criminology CJS 3075: Criminal Investigation
• CJS 4045: Criminalistics with Lab