Michael Birzer, Dr.

Michael Birzer, Dr.

Michael Birzer, Dr.

Professor & Graduate Coordinator; Director – The Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub

Dorothy And Bill Cohen Honors College

Ablah Library Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Hub Office, Room 125

Overview

Dr. Michael Birzer is a professor and graduate coordinator in the School of Criminal Justice. He also serves as the Director of the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub which is a unit of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.  

Dr. Birzer engages in research centering on police policy, behavior, and operations, and the intersection of race and policing. Prior to entering academia, he served a career in law enforcement, retiring at the rank of lieutenant.

Academic Interests and Expertise

Academic Interests:

  • Adapting the learning theory of andragogy in police training environments
  • Evidence based policing  
  • Community oriented policing strategies   
  • Racial Profiling
  • Using Randomized Controlled Trials in policing research
  • 20th Century Police Reformer, O.W. Wilson  
  • Engaging undergraduate students in research     

Expertise:

  • Police Operations  
  • Racial Profiling
  • Qualitative Research Methods  

Areas of Research Interest

  • Racial Profiling (The experiences of citizens of color and police perspectives)
  • Police reform in Wichita: The O. W. Wilson era (1928-1939)         

Areas of Teaching Interest

  • Policing
  • Qualitative Research
  • Research Methods
  • Racial profiling

Publications

Books Published 

  1. Birzer, M.L. (forthcoming). Police reform in Wichita: The O. W. Wilson era. University Press of Kansas.
  2. Birzer, M.L, & Holland, R. (2024). A criminological guide and theoretical exploration of serial killers and infamous murders (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing. (First edition published in 2020) 
  3. Birzer, M. L., & Moore, L. E. (2023). Reimagining policing in the age of reform. Kendall Hunt Publishing.  
  4. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2020). Police operations: Theory meets practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall. (First edition published in 2008, second edition published in 2015)
  5. Palmiotto, M. J., Birzer, M. L., & Brown, A. (2018). Police officer exams (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.   
  6. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2017). In their own words: Criminals on crime (7th ed.). New York: Oxford Publishing.   
  7. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M.L. (2014). In their own words: Criminals on Crime (6th ed.). New York:  Oxford University Press.    
  8. Birzer, M.L. (2013). Racial profiling: They stopped me because I’m —! Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.
  9. Birzer, M.L., Bayens, G., & Roberson, C. (2012). Principles of police management and leadership. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.    
  10. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson C. (2012). Introduction to criminal investigations. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.  
  11. Roberson, C., & Birzer, M.L. (2010). Introduction to private security: Theory meets practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
  12. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2007). Policing, Today and Tomorrow, Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall Publishing.    
  13. Birzer, M.L., & Roberson, C. (2004). Introduction to Corrections (2nd ed). Wadsworth publishing.

Selected Journal and other Publications

  1. Birzer, M.L., & Cory. C. (2024). Tele-Cops: A New Era in Modern Policing. Police Chief Magazine. 
  2. Davis, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2024). An Ethnographic Study of Police Culture in a Rural Kansas Police Agency. Policing: An International Journal.  https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-11-2023-0156
  3. Birzer, M. L. (2023). Police perspectives on racial profiling. In M. L. Birzer, & L. E. Moore (Eds.), Policing reimagined in an era of reform (pp. 1-14). Kendell Hunt Publishing.   
  4. Birzer, M.L. (2019). The psychological and societal impact of biases. In G. Overstreet, Educator guide: The real education of T.J. Crowley (pp. 25-29). Grain Valley Publishing.
  5. Birzer, M. L. (2017). Racial profiling: The intersection of race and policing. In M.J. Palmiotto (Ed) Police use of force: Important issues facing the police and the communities they serve (pp. 81-111). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.    
  6. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2017).  The experiences of Black police officers who have been racially profiled: An exploratory research note. The Journal of African American Studies, 21(4), pp. 567-584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-017-9382-4   
  7. Alexander, R., & Birzer, M.L. (2016). Changing trajectory: An integrated theoretical view of the Roman Catholic priest sex abuse scandal. Deviant Behavior, 37(9), pp. 977-988.  https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1147814    
  8. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M.L. (2012). Neutralizations of a career criminal: The curious case of George. Criminal Justice Review, 37(4), 512-526.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0734016812465744    
  9. Cromwell, P., & Birzer, M. (2012). Integrating the police ride-along as an experiential learning strategy in criminal justice courses. ACJS Today, 37(5), 1-12.   
  10. Birzer, M.L. 2012. Crime Scene Search. In: Birzer, M.L. and Roberson, C. (eds). Introduction to Criminal Investigation. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 35-45.
  11. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2010). Factors that contribute to the success or failure of risk reduction initiative clients. Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal, 5 (2), 43-54.
  12. Knowles, M.T., & Birzer, M.L. (2009). Community policing: Can we learn from rural and small-town police? Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 9 (4), 71-80.       
  13. Birzer, M.L. (2008). What makes a good police officer? Phenomenological reflections from the African American community. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 9(3), 199-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614260701797488
  14. Birzer, M.L., & Craig-Moreland, D.E. (2008). Using discriminant analysis in criminal justice research. Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal, 3 (2), 33-48.     
  15. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2008). The militarization of the American police force: A critical assessment. Critical Issues in Justice and Politics, 1(1), 15-29.
  16. Birzer, M.L., & Cromwell, P. (2008). The emotional and behavioral impact of burglary: A case study of victims in a Midwestern city. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 2 (8), 129-146.   
  17. Etter, G.W., Birzer, M.L., & Fields, J. (2008). The jail as a dumping ground: The incidental incarceration of mentally ill individuals. Criminal Justice Studies:  A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 21(1), 77-87.  https://doi.org/10.1080/14786010801972738    
  18. Etter, G.W., & Birzer, M.L. (2007). Domestic violence abusers: A descriptive study of the characteristics of defenders in protection from abuse orders in Sedgwick County Kansas. Journal of Family Violence, 22(3), 113-119.    
  19. Birzer, M.L., & Smith-Mahdi, J. (2006). Does race matter? The phenomenology of perceived discrimination among African Americans. Journal of African American Studies. 10(2), 22-37.   
  20. Birzer, M.L., & Birzer G.H. (2006). Race matters: A critical examination of racial profiling, it’s a matter for the courts. Journal of Criminal Justice, 34, 643-651.   
  21. Birzer, M.L., & Ellis, R.B. (2006). De-Bunking the Myth that all is well in the Home of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education: A study of perceived discrimination. Journal of Black Studies, 36, 793-814. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934705278410     
  22. Birzer, M.L., & Craig-Moreland, D.E. (2006, March/April). Why do jails charge housing fees? A research note. American Jails.
  23. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & Smith-Mahdi, J. (2005). An analysis of discrimination between African American and women police officers: Are there differences? Similarities? Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law, and Society, 18, 347-364. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786010500451257
  24. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & McKenney-Brown, A. (2005). Police Discrimination: A  personnel issue.  Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 5, 141-156.    
  25. Birzer, M.L., & Brand, M.W. (2005). Community policing in a small and rural Oklahoma Community.  Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 5, 161-174.  
  26. Paul, J., & Birzer, M.L. (2004). Images of power: A critical analysis of the militarization of police uniforms and messages of service. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 32, 121-128.   
  27. Birzer, M.L., Tannehill, R.L., & Palmiotto, M.J. (2004). Police organizational change: learning principles that apply. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 4, 87-110.     
  28. Birzer, M.L. (2004). Andragogy: What police trainers should know about adult learners. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 4, 157-167.
  29. Birzer, M.L. (2004).  Andragogy: Student centered classrooms in criminal justice programs. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 15, 393-411. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511250400086041  
  30. Birzer, M.L., & Tannehill, R.L. (2003). Criminal justice practitioners’ perceptions of themselves, each other, and selected criminal justice practices. Journal of Crime and Justice, 26, 77-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2003.9721183     
  31. Birzer, M. L. (2003). Learning theory as it applies to police training. In M. J. Palmiotto (Ed.), Policing and Training Issues (pp. 89–114). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Hall   
  32. Birzer, M.L., & Ellis, R.E. (2003). Perceived discrimination in Topeka, Kansas. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 31, 133-141.    
  33. Birzer, M.L. (2003). The theory of andragogy applied to police training. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 26 (1), 29-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510310460288  
  34. Birzer, M.L. (2002). Writing partnership between police practitioners and researchers. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 3, 149-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614260290033648  
  35. Birzer, M.L., & Palmiotto, M.J. (2001). Job satisfaction in the police organization: Reality or spurious notion. The Journal of Community Policing, 1, 22-28.
  36. Brand, M.W., & Birzer, M.L. (2001). Generalist social work practice and community oriented policing. Journal of Community Policing, 1(3), 42-49.
  37. Palmiotto, M.J., Birzer, M.L., & Unnithan, P.N. (2000). Police training in community policing:  A suggested curriculum. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 23(1), 8-21.  https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510010314580         

Selected Technical Reports

  • 2023. City of Wichita: Differential police response to low harm and low risk calls for service in Wichita: A randomized controlled trial. Technical report submitted to the Wichita Police Department. 
  • 2023. City of Wichita: An evaluation of the Wichita Police Department’s selection process. Technical report submitted to the Wichita Police Department.
  • 2021. City of Wichita: Program evaluation of Lights on Voucher Program. Technical report submitted to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.
  • 2021. City of Wichita: Citation/Stop analysis 2019-2020. Technical report submitted to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.  
  • 2020. City of Wichita: Citation/Stop analysis 2016-2018. Technical report submitted  to the command staff of the Wichita Police Department.
  • 2018. Hilltop Community Needs Assessment. Technical report submitted to Dear Neighbor Ministries.  
  • 2015. Police perspectives on racial profiling in Kansas. Technical report submitted to the Kansas Department of Transportation
  • 2015. City of Wichita Police Department: Assessment report of the operations of the Wichita Police Department. Technical Report submitted to City Manager (With Misty Bruckner and Dr. Andi Bannister).   
  • 2014. City of Wichita: Citation analysis report pertaining to racial disparities. Technical Report submitted to the Wichita Police Department.   

Professional Experience

  • Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (Ret)
  • Past faculty positions: Washburn University (KS); East Central University (OK) 

Awards and Honors

  • 2025: The LaWanda Holt-Fields Advocacy Award, Wichita State University
  • 2023: Outstanding Service Award for research services rendered, Wichita Police Department
  • 2022: John R. Barrier Distinguished Teaching Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Wichita State University
  • 2021: Excellence in Community Research Award, Wichita State University    
  • 2016: Wichita State Alumni Association “Shinning Shockers Lecture Series.”     
  • 2016: President’s Innovation Award, Wichita State University          
  • 2014: Leadership Fellow (Wichita State University Leadership Academy)    
  • 2013: Distinguished Leadership Award, Wichita State University Women Association

Grants

Grants and Contracts   

  • 2024. Barber County, Kansas. Jail feasibility study (with the Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University). $19,600
  • 2022. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst to study the recruitment, selection, and retention of the Wichita Police Department. $1200.  
  • 2021. City of Wichita Police Department. Contract for citation analysis. $1407.
  • 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst for the “Safely Seat ICT Kids Car Seat program.”  
  • 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst for the “Lights On” voucher program.   
  • 2020. City of Wichita Police Department. (PI). $5,574. Racial profiling citation analysis.     
  • 2018. Dear Neighbor Ministries Community Grant, (PI), $10,160. Conduct needs assessment of the Hilltop neighborhood in Wichita, KS.
  • 2014.  City of Wichita Police Department. Contracted analyst biased based policing prevention. (PI) $1000   
  • 2014. Kansas Department of Transportation / Governor’s Task Force on Racial Profiling (PI), $32,536  Racial Profiling in the State of Kansas: Phase two.    
  • 2009. Kansas Department of Transportation / Governor’s Task Force on Racial Profiling (Kansas Department of Transportation), (PI), $23,964. Investigation of Racial  Profiling within the State of Kansas: Phase One.
  • 2008. Sedgwick County Juvenile Justice Consulting Services, (With Dr. Delores Craig), $32,700 – evaluating the Offender Risk Reduction Initiative.   
  • 2005. Sedgwick County Jail Crowding Study, (With Dr. Delores Craig), $15,000        
  • 2005. Research Grant: (Co-PI), $67,000 federally funded Project Safe Neighborhood grant.     
  • 2004. Research Grant: (Co-PI), $150,000 federally funded Project Safe Neighborhood grant.          
  • 2003. University Research Grant, Washburn University – (Co-PI) A Descriptive Study of Discrimination in the Home of Brown vs. Board of Education. $5,066.           
  • 2002. Community Research Grant – Concerned Citizens of Topeka (Co- PI) “A Study   of Discrimination in Topeka, Kansas,” $8,900.   

Areas of Service

Current Service

  • Gubernatorial appointment, Kansas Board of Indigent Defense Services. Serving second term. (Elected by peers to Secretary of Board)
  • Sedgwick County Community Corrections Advisory Board. Appointed by Sedgwick County Commission. Serving third term.
  • Editorial Board: Police Practice and Research: An International Journal (Taylor and Francis Publishing). 
  • Board of Directors, Wichita Police and Fire Foundation.
  • Board Member, Judge Gregory Waller Fellowship Foundation.
  • Honorary Board Member, DUI Victims Center of Kansas
  • Advisory Board Member, Wichita Beacon News   

Academic Leadership Service

  • 2024-Present: Inaugural Director – Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub at Wichita State University   
  • 2007-2017: Director – School of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University
  • Seventeen years as Criminal Justice Graduate Program Coordinator at Wichita State University

Professional Leadership Experience  

  • Past supervisory and command level experience in large urban Sheriff’s Office.   

Additional Information

Professional Memberships 

  • Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences               
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police  
  • American Society of Criminology                            
  • National Sheriff’s Association