John R. Firman

John R. Firman is Professor of Practice at American University in the School of Public Affairs, Department of Justice, Law and Criminology. Prior to this role he spent over two decades with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), most recently as Director of Strategic Partnerships (2016-2018) and earlier as Director of Research (1994-2016). Before joining IACP he served from 1985 to 1994 as Associate Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, an appointment by the Governor of Illinois.

His research and professional focus centers on evidence-based policing policy, comparative law-enforcement strategy, and the design of national summits that bring together practitioners, scholars, and policymakers to address emerging challenges in policing.

Education

• M.A., Sociology/Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
• B.A., Sociology/Criminal Justice, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA

Current Teaching

In Spring 2025 he leads JLC-694 Justice/Law/Criminology Pract: Policing Practicum, a graduate practicum designed to immerse students in real-world policing policy analysis and reform projects.

Professional Leadership & Impact

• Managed the National Law Enforcement Policy Summit Series, convening stakeholders to craft actionable recommendations on critical issues such as use-of-force, community trust, and technology integration.
• Oversaw multi-site research and evaluation programs that informed policy across more than 120 countries through IACP’s 30,000-member network.
• Developed strategic partnerships between law-enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and private-sector innovators to advance evidence-based policing.

Labs & Teams

While no dedicated laboratory is listed, Professor Firman’s work leverages the resources of American University’s Justice Programs Office and collaborates closely with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and various federal, state, and local agencies to provide students with applied research opportunities.