Paul J. Boyles III

Prof. Paul J. Boyles III is a Visiting Lecturer in the Criminal Justice Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He brings over 18 years of law enforcement experience, retiring as a Lieutenant from the Lexington Police Department. His roles included Patrol, Crimes Against Children, Robbery Homicide, Internal Affairs, Training, and Special Operations. He specialized as the department’s lead instructor in Police Ethics.

Education:

• B.A. from Cornell College
• M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Kentucky
• Ph.D. in Philosophy (ABD, anticipated completion 2024), focusing on Thomistic ethics and virtue/vice formation.

Research Interests: Prof. Boyles explores virtue ethics, practical ethics, and criminal justice ethics, particularly applying Thomistic philosophy to police ethics. His dissertation, A Thomistic Account of Virtue and Vice Formation, examines ethical frameworks for law enforcement. He also investigates policing as a discerned vocation and ethical leadership in criminal justice.

Current Projects:

• Development of internship programs and police recruitment strategies.
• Integration of Thomistic virtue ethics into police ethics training.

Professional Memberships:

• Institute for Law Enforcement Administration Alumni Association
• American Philosophical Association
• American Catholic Philosophical Association
• International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association

Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, his research and projects reflect collaborative efforts in criminal justice ethics. Grant details are not specified in the text.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with the Criminal Justice Program at Franciscan University, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to ethics and law enforcement training.