Criminal Justice Department

Jeff Couture is a 22-year veteran of the Chicopee Police Department where he currently serves as the department’s training officer. He is also a staff instructor with the Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy and a law enforcement instructor with Commonwealth Police Services. He teaches Drugs, Guns & Gangs, Fair & Impartial Policing, and Domestic & Family Violence. He serves as the site supervisor for our students who intern with the Chicopee P.D.

John Hale is a licensed attorney and retired captain with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, where he served for 22 years. During his tenure at the Sheriff’s Department, John served as academy drill instructor, academy commandant, standards coordinator and leadership development supervisor, prior to his retirement as captain. He also served in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant after 23 years of service. He teaches Corrections and Rehabilitation, Effective Communications in Criminal Justice, and Ethics, Integrity Training and Leadership Development.

Shawn Hemingway is a 20-year veteran of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, where he has served as a correctional officer, reentry employment supervisor, and industries services manager. He teaches Corrections and Rehabilitation, Offender Reentry and Reintegration, Policing in America, and Probation, Parole & Restorative Justice.

Kathy Layer is a law librarian at the Western New England University School of Law. She teaches Computer-Assisted Legal Research and Law Office Computer Applications, both of which she developed into fully online courses for the Legal Studies program. Kathy earned her paralegal certificate from Boston University.

In addition to being a practicing local attorney and full-time instructor, Professor Murray coordinates the criminal justice and legal studies internships. She has international training in law as well as a strong background in business management. Professor Murray is active in local government and the community through her association with the St. Thomas More Society, Junior Achievement, the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Hampden County Bar Association, the West Springfield Rotary Club, the West Springfield Council on Aging, the West Springfield Community Preservation Committee, Holyoke Community College advisory board, and the Putnam Vocational Technical High School criminal justice advisory board.

Andrea O’Connor is currently the judicial law clerk for the United States Bankruptcy Court in Springfield, Massachusetts. Prior to that appointment, she was an associate with Hendel & Collins, P.C. She teaches Advanced Legal Research & Writing.

Deb Roberge has been a practicing criminal defense attorney for 17 years. She was a partner in the firm of Hurst and Fogerty and is now a solo practitioner. She teaches Criminal Law & Procedure.

Carolyn Scott-Howe is a sole practitioner and independent contractor. She has extensive experience in tort law, family law, criminal defense, municipal law, residential real estate, corporate law, and estate administration. She teaches Legal Studies I & II, Family Law, and Health Law.

Dr. Ward serves as the Director of the Criminal Justice​ and Legal Studies programs at Elms College. Prior to joining Elms, he was the Director of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at Newbury College. He has also lectured at MCPHS University in Boston on drug regulatory affairs.