From left to right: Sgt. Kevin Fulham, NYPD Special Victims; Director Kathleen Baer ESQ, NYPD Special Victims, and Prof. Antonio Cruz, Criminal Justice program coordinator.
Students at had the unique opportunity to gain real-world insight into one of the most sensitive areas of law enforcement during the “Meet the Real World SVU” event, hosted by the Criminal Justice Program at the university’s Manhattan Campus.
The event, which took place both in-person at the Bove Media Center and virtually, featured presentations by Director Kathleen Baer and Sergeant Kevin Fulham of the NYPD Special Victims Unit (SVU). Organized and moderated by Antonio J. Cruz, Ed.S., program coordinator of the Criminal Justice Program and assistant adjunct professor, the session was attended by students from both the Criminal Justice and Psychology programs.
Focusing on the complexities of sex crimes investigations, the NYPD team provided a comprehensive overview of how such cases are handled, from the initial report to prosecution, emphasizing victim-centered approaches and evolving methodologies used in modern investigations.
“Sex crime investigations, including cases of child abuse, are among the most sensitive, complex, and, at times, horrific investigations that law enforcement professionals undertake,” said Cruz. “People often watch shows like ‘Law & Order: SVU’ and believe cases are solved within an hour—this couldn’t be further from reality. Our goal is to prepare students at to become future change agents in criminal justice and mental health professions by giving them access to the real-world experiences of experts.”
Students found the presentation both enlightening and inspiring.
“The NYPD presenters were truly excellent, engaging, informative, and clearly passionate about the work they do,” said Shanika Coyne, a Criminal Justice student. “I learned a lot from their insights, especially regarding how these cases are handled and the real-world challenges involved. It was eye-opening and thought-provoking, and I really appreciated the opportunity to attend.”
Michelle Stanley, another attendee, echoed that sentiment. “The topic is important. The discussion exceeded my expectations.”
The event reflected ’s continued commitment to providing hands-on, practical experiences that prepare students for the challenges of the criminal justice and mental health fields.
From left to right: Dr Alberto Manzi, associate professor of Psychology at , Sgt. Kevin Fulham, NYPD Special Victims; Director Kathleen Baer ESQ, NYPD Special Victims, and Prof. Antonio Cruz, Criminal Justice program coordinator.