J. Eric Coleman   

J. Eric Coleman is Assistant Professor for the Department of Criminal Justice at Hardin-Simmons University.  Before joining the faculty at Hardin-Simmons he was an  assistant professor in Criminal Justice at Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas. Professor Coleman began a career in law enforcement in 1981 as a police officer for the city of Stamford, Texas. After a short stint with the Stamford Police Department, he joined the Jones County Sheriff's Department in 1981,where he served until December of 1996. Professor Coleman served as a patrol deputy for several years before being promoted to Sergeant and then Captain. In addition, he served as Regional Commander for the West Central Texas Auto Theft Task Force.

Professor Coleman received an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Navarro College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Midwestern State University and is a doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership, with a Criminal Justice Education concentration at Nova Southeastern University. In addition, he is a 1996 graduate of the Leadership and Command College of the Law Enforcement Management Institute at Sam Houston State University.

Professor Coleman holds Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Peace Officer Certifications as well an Instructor's License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

Professor Coleman's lecture and research interests include topics on the death penalty, personal wellness in policing, terrorism and rise of Islamic violence. In addition, he has served as a visiting lecturer at Texas Women's University in the Law-Enforcement Management Institute lecturing on health and personal wellness for senior and command level police managers.

Office:  ES-Room 216
Office Phone: 325-670-1455
E-mail: ecoleman@hsutx.edu