UTRGV Criminal Justice Org Gives Students Hands-On Experience

The American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) at UTRGV gives criminal justice students opportunities to expand horizons and prepare for careers in the field.

ACJA Faculty Adviser Michael Sanchez said the organization offers training in areas such as fingerprinting, defensive tactics, de-escalation and crime scene investigations and is dedicated solely to criminal justice majors and minors

Members also participate in community service, receive internship opportunities and compete at competitions in academic testing, physical fitness, crime scene investigation and shooting.

Sanchez said the organization helps students build connections with others who share similar career goals.

“They gain a lot because these students make lifelong friends here because you’re in an organization with like-minded students with the same goals, the same likes [and] the same interests, ” Sanchez said.

He added the organization gives students an early look into the criminal justice system. He said several former students now work in law enforcement, including with Brownsville Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The organization also provides students with opportunities to work alongside professionals. Sanchez said he has connected students with internships through his work as an expert witness and consultant.

After 35 years of experience, including 4 years as an international police officer for the United Nations before joining UTRGV, Sanchez said he made the decision to help the next generation.

“I took more than a 50% pay cut to come here because I wanted to use all of my experiences and give them to my students where they matter,” Sanchez said.

Aside from their regular training, Sanchez said the organization also focuses on creating an inclusive environment for new members.

“It is the most accepting environment I’ve ever seen,” Sanchez said.

ACJA Junior Adviser Kayla Navarro said although criminal scene investigation was new for her, the organization has helped her improve her skills and better understand criminal justice work through training and competitions.

“I mean, from how I started to where I am now, it’s a big difference,” Navarro said.

She added students who are hesitant to join the organization can attend and see what it offers before committing.

“We do have kind of like a tryout. Like, we don’t force you to join as soon as you arrive. So you can see what we offer and then decide , ” Navarro said.

Navarro said the team traveled to Minnesota last March for Nationals, where she competed in shooting.

She said the competition was stressful because members were already scoring more than 400 points out of a possible 480. Navarro said small details, such as finger placement, hesitation and wrist tension can affect a shooter’s score.

She added she tried to stay relaxed and avoid overthinking during the competition. The experience resulted in a first-place finish for Navarro and her team.

ACJA Historian Angela de Leon said the organization has helped improve her own skills. She said crime scene investigation requires students to complete several steps, including creating sketches, writing reports and carefully examining the scene.

De Leon said ACJA has also helped her become more confident when communicating with others.

“I now feel better at talking to people and instead of being shy in classes, now I speak up, thanks to joining the club and making friends and being able to do what I can,” De Leon said.

ACJA Treasurer Gabriel Richarte said the organization also holds general meetings, social events and fundraisers.