Passion for Teaching Into Education
We all know how important education is. We start learning from the time we’re born. Some say our learning begins even before then.
In any career, learning should be something we never stop doing. Glenn Granna took this idea to heart. He has understood the importance of keeping his knowledge and skills sharp and has made it a point to never stop learning. After many years in law enforcement, Glenn is now teaching at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. He also has authored a book, “Crime and Intelligence Analysis: An Integrated Real-Time Approach.”
For 21 years, Glenn worked for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Rochester, New York. For 10 of those years he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. His primary job was as a narcotics investigator, and he was also a member of the Narcotics Tactical Warrant Unit. Additionally, Glenn was a member of the Sheriff’s Hostage Recovery Team, where he served as a hostage negotiator. He was one of two leading negotiators and took part in the longest standoff the unit had ever encountered. He also served as a field training officer and helped train new officers.
As the years went on, Glenn continued his education. He instinctively understood that doing his job properly meant keeping his skills sharp.
There’s a quote attributed to Ben Franklin that says, “If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Glenn has made it his life’s mission to invest in his education.
For crime analysts, continuous learning is one of the keys to success.
After retirement
Glenn has never been ready for retirement. After serving the people of Rochester, Glenn took a job as a contractor with the U.S. Department of State. He then traveled to Afghanistan as part of a police mentor team program that consisted of military and civilian personnel. Their goal was to train Afghanistan police in the basics of policing and investigations. He continued to use his passion for teaching in this new role. Glenn eventually accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Defense working as an adviser in Iraq. When his tenure ended in the Middle East, he returned to the U.S. and his old roots in law enforcement.
The crime analyst adventure
In New York, Glenn accepted a job at a law enforcement intelligence center. There he worked as a crime analyst and eventually was promoted to a supervisory role, overseeing a team of analysts.
Often the love of learning translates to the joy of teaching others. As a supervisor, Glenn had the opportunity to use his teaching skills and share what he had learned. He immediately put the skills he had gained over many years in law enforcement to work.
A transition to academia
Teaching has become one of Glenn’s biggest passions. He is currently assistant professor of intelligence studies in the Homeland Security and Applied Intelligence program at Roberts Wesleyan College. The program uses his book, “Crime and Intelligence Analysis: An Integrated Real-Time Approach” as part of its curriculum. The same passion and drive that he maintained throughout his career he continues to use to teach a new generation of crime analysts.
Like his passion for teaching, mentoring outside the classroom is just as important to Glenn. Helping and coaching the new students transition from the classroom to a job is one of Glenn’s greatest joys.
Hear more
In this episode of the The Crime Analyst podcast, Glenn shares the inside track on how he’s put his experience in law enforcement to work as a crime analyst, and what it takes to be successful.
