Jon A. Cooper

Jon A. Cooper is an Associate Professor in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), part of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs. He joined the faculty in 2012 and specializes in criminal justice theorizing, examining intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and the justice system, with a particular focus on police organization and behavior.

Dr. Cooper holds a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University (2012), an MA in Criminal Justice from Boise State University (2008), and a BS in Criminal Justice Administration from Boise State (2006). His research emphasizes deliberate theorizing in academia and practical applications, particularly in policing reform and organizational dynamics.

His work explores police legitimacy, institutional reform, and the sociological underpinnings of justice systems. Recent publications address gender differences in youth offenders’ perceptions of police, 21st-century policing frameworks, and historical influences on modern law enforcement practices. He actively advises IUP’s Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Though no scientific awards are explicitly noted, his contributions to policing theory and justice system analysis are widely recognized in academic circles. His research spans topics like noble cause corruption, mental health crisis interventions, and statistical methodologies in criminology.