Criminal Justice Alumnus Justin Stengel '21 is a Findlay Township Police Patrolman

Meet Justin Stengel '21

Job Title & Employer: Patrolman, Findlay Township Police Department
Major/Program: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Crafton, Pa.
High School: Carlynton Junior/Senior High School
Now Living In: Crafton, Pa.
Hobbies & Interests: Fishing, hiking, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends

"I would recommend Point Park to a prospective student because of its distinctive learning opportunities. Point Park’s small class sizes and experienced professors set you up with a unique chance to gain an excellent comprehension of your field before you even begin your career. By choosing Point Park, you set yourself up to be successful in your chosen field."

Justin Stengel '21

How did you land your role with Findlay Township Police Department, and what are your duties?

After graduating from Point Park University in spring 2021, I attended the Allegheny County Police Training Academy and graduated in December 2021. After the academy, I started a part-time job as a patrolman for a smaller borough while still testing for full-time positions. When the testing notice came up that the Findlay Township Police Department was hiring, I applied, as I'm familiar with their great reputation as a police department. The testing process consisted of physical tests, written exams and in-person interviews. After going through the testing process, I was fortunate to be one of the top candidates in the selection. I landed my role in May.

My duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Regulating the safe and orderly flow of traffic within the township
Conducting crime prevention activities through the use of preventative patrol, contacting citizens to become aware of concerns within the community, looking for suspicious circumstances and taking preventative or investigative action where appropriate
Responding to or taking action pertaining to all calls for service
Investigating crimes and criminal activity
Reporting information to and coordinating activities between different components of the department
Providing emergency services within the limits of training and capability, whenever possible
Always showing a strong concern for the desires, needs and constitutional rights of others
Striving to maintain positive public relations in the community

What makes Point Park’s criminal justice program stand out from other universities?

I believe Point Park's criminal justice program really stands out from other universities due to the experienced faculty. Each professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies has a vast and impressive background in the field. They’re not just a teacher who has spent time passing on information they only read in a book. The faculty at Point Park have actually applied the methods and information they teach to the field. What they learned directly from the field is what they teach to the students. That’s not something I can say for sure about other universities or colleges. Their experience, paired with small classroom sizes, create an environment where students can participate more in class and gain a better sense of the material being taught. The classes I took over the course of my time at Point Park laid a great foundation for me to continue learning.

Who were your favorite professors, and how did they impact your education?

My favorite professor by far was Professor Richard Linzer, J.D. He has a very broad, impressive background in law and criminal justice. Professor Linzer was able to teach classes, not only by using ordinary teaching methods, but also by reinforcing his teachings with his experience in the field. He encouraged us to truly get a grasp of the topics he taught because what we learned at Point Park is what we will apply directly when we’re in the field. How much you take away from each class and topic is very important because not only will it make you smarter in your chosen field, but it will make you a more effective employee in the long run.

What advice do you have for current criminal justice students?

My advice for current criminal justice students is to make sure you’re taking in all you can out of each class. Try to learn as much as possible and never stop learning. The professors who are teaching you have a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience, and they’re there to help you. Once you get into the criminal justice field, you may find yourself in challenging situations. You’ll want to lean on everything you’ve learned to succeed in that situation. What you learn at Point Park will supply you with a great foundation to be successful in those situations when they arise.

Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?

I would recommend Point Park to a prospective student because of its distinctive learning opportunities. Point Park’s small class sizes and experienced professors set you up with a unique chance to gain an excellent comprehension of your field before you even begin your career. By choosing Point Park, you set yourself up to be successful in your chosen field.

Criminal Justice Alumnus Justin Stengel '21 is a Findlay Township Police Patrolman Alumni Profile