CurtGriffiths |

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Curt Taylor Griffiths is Professor Emeritus in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. He completed his Ph.D. In the Department of Sociology at the University of Montana and was a faculty member in the School of Criminology for 48 years prior to retiring at the end of 2024. His research, writing, and consulting activities are carried out under the auspices of Curt T. Griffiths, Ltd.

In his lengthy teaching carer and in his research and consulting endeavours, which continue, Dr. Griffiths attempts to bridge the gap between the academic world and the world of criminal justice practitioners and to end what has often been termed the “dialogue of the deaf.” He has a keen interest in the variety of social, cultural, economic, political and geographic contexts in which the justice system operates, from international jurisdictions to urban centres, to the remote Canadian north.

The Canadian criminal justice system is a complex, dynamic, and ever-changing enterprise. Understanding how the various components of the system operate is important for civil society, requiring frequent examination of the system’s success in both preventing and responding to crime and social disorder, while ensuring the safety and security of communities and addressing the needs of at-risk and vulnerable persons and persons in conflict with the law.

Working with communities, governments, criminal justice agencies and organizations locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, Dr. Griffiths attempts to fill the information vacuum that often exists in public policy debates and in criminal justice policy and operations. Dr. Griffiths brings to his work an unbridled optimism and an insatiable curiosity about the justice system and its role in society.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Study of the Victimization of Police Officers

Study of Workplace Culture and Mental Health and Wellness of Municipal Employees in Police Services

Study of the Economics of Policing

Organizational Review of the Saanich (BC, Canada) Police Department

Vaughan, A., T. Stamatakis, G. MacDonald, and C.T. Griffiths. 2023. The Victimization of Police Officers: A National Study of Police Officers. Ottawa: Canadian Police Association. In progress.