Montgomery County Community College held its 17th Annual Criminal Justice and Public Safety Expo on the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell on April 3.

The Expo offered MCCC students and visitors the opportunity to meet and interact with various employers in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety fields. Representatives from more than 30 organizations including the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the Philadelphia Police Department and Pennsylvania State Troopers were available to answer students’ questions and discuss career paths and expectations.

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Expo began with a keynote address from Vice President of Public Safety for Drexel University Eileen Behr. Behr received an associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College before rising through the Whitemarsh Township Police Department to police chief and eventually serving as Montgomery County Sheriff before taking the position at Drexel.

In addition to the expo in Parkhouse Hall, Career Services hosted informative panel discussions in the Advanced Technology Center. Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Monica Proffitt-Osborne moderated the “Pathways to a Criminal Justice Career” panels, which allowed students to ask professionals about the Criminal Justice and Public Safety fields.

Panelists Officer Samuel Boone, Springfield Township Police Department; Officer Emily Hopkins, Whitemarsh Township Police Department; Chief Kenneth Lawson, Whitpain Township Police Department; Chief Michael Pitkow, Springfield Township Police Department; and Chief Francis Wheatley, Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Department; Officer Niccollette DeBiasio, East Norriton Township Police Department; Lieutenant U. Mark Freeman, Upper Providence Township Police Department; Deputy Joseph Holman, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Training Coordinator Maryann Longo, Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Communications; and Chief Mark Talbot, Municipality of Norristown Police Department offered advice and words of encouragement to students in attendance.

Students attending the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Expo had the opportunity to meet with potential future employers. Criminal Justice major Robert Wilson was looking to make connections as he begins his job search.

 “I am currently looking for internships and job opportunities,” Wilson said. “This is great chance to hand out my resume and get my name out there.”

Chantel Brannan visited the Expo hoping to learn from employers working in the career field she wishes to join.

“I was originally interested in forensic science, but through my classes I am now leaning toward becoming an attorney,” Brannan said. “I was able to speak with someone from the Public Defender’s Office to learn more about what they do and what they are involved with.”