Jack Maxwell is a full time Criminal Justice professor in the Department of Culture and Communications. A 42-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, his final assignment was as Chief Inspector of the Department’s prominent Detective’s Bureau. Chief Inspector is the highest civil service position in the Police Department. With his long term and his specialized experienced in the field of law enforcement and its associated issues, Maxwell brings hard-learned experience and practical application to the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CoAS) quickly-expanding Criminal Justice program.

ASK: Could you tell me about your history in the Philadelphia Police Department?

Maxwell: I entered the Police Department on June 25, 1962. I was just ten days out of high school. The department had a new program, called the Adjutant Group, which were 18-year-old recruits. My father was a Detective in South Philadelphia and told me about the job, plus the Department came around to the high school and interviewed seniors interested in police work. They say that thousands of seniors took the test and only 10 in my group were hired. We were attached to the police academy for two years. We would be assigned to the major operational bureaus for a period of time and then be brought back to the academy for additional training and evaluation. In fact, the program was modeled after the Drexel Co-Op/Internship program. We would be assigned to the Patrol, Detective and Special Operations Bureaus. After two years, I was promoted to full police officer, then Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Inspector and finally One Star Chief Inspector. The rank of Chief Inspector is the highest civil service rank in the Department. The last 20 years of my career were in various investigative assignments. When I retired, I was assigned as the Chief of the Detectives Bureau. My assignments have been Patrol, Detective Bureau, Anti-Crime Teams, Accident Investigation, Juvenile Division, Police Academy and Communications.

ASK: You’ve been credited with beginning the Philadelphia Police Department’s famed Cold Case Unit, which has been immortalized in the CBS television series, “Cold Case.” What’s the story behind its formation?

Maxwell: Yes, but I can't take all the credit. It was during a regular meeting with the captains of homicide. Captain Steve Glenn mentioned that we should give it a try. Officially, from my superiors, there was no additional personnel or funding for the idea. It was a difficult decision to take veteran detectives and have them work on old cases, especially when we would go to Compstat every week and were accountable for the current homicide cases coming in, which often generate media attention. We did it on our own, starting with a few hand picked homicide detectives and specially chosen cases. I decided to have the homicide detectives polled for their input as to any cases that they thought would qualify due to new technology, changed relationships among the suspects and their friends, and even just a “hunch” or a gut feeling about a suspect. There was regular communication with the forensics lab personnel; they understood what we were trying to do and took time from their very busy schedule getting cases ready for court, to work on old cases with the detectives. It was a real team effort. It was very successful.

ASK: Will you be hosting any upcoming presentations related to the Cold Case unit or by other individuals?

Maxwell: Yes, one of Philadelphia’s oldest unsolved cases is “The Boy in the Box” from 50 years ago. Retired investigators Bill Kelly and Joe McGillen will be doing a presentation for my students on this case. I have also had a lecture given by Lieutenant Ed Monaghan, from the Major Crimes Unit, on the famous murder and rape cases of Shannon Scheiver, the University of Penn graduate student. A man named Troy Graves was arrested and confessed to her murder and a series of rapes both here and in Colorado. In the future, I would like to have a presentation on the “Marie Noe Case”; murdered eight of her children, starting in the 50s. Our cold case squad got a confession from her just prior to my retirement a few years ago.

ASK: In the Philadelphia Metro several weeks ago, an area political analyst was quoted as saying the issue of crime would be "the wash" in the next election. Do you agree? In your professional opinion, what do you think needs to happen with law enforcement in Philadelphia at this time to counter the explosion in violent crime we're experiencing?  

Maxwell: Crime is always a major issue. Even in presidential elections, crime is one of the big three areas, [along with] war and the economy. It is interesting to read that all the mayoral candidates have specific plans for fighting crime in Philadelphia. I would like to read that a candidate would remove the requirement that a candidate for the Police Department must reside in the city prior to taking the test. Why not open the police test to those living outside of Philadelphia? And, if they are hired, then require them to move into the city.
                
ASK: In the past several years, experts in the legal profession have noted a sweeping phenomenon washing over juries around the country. It’s been aptly termed the “CSI Effect,” with respect to the hit television series. Exposure to the show has been said to make juries increasingly critical about witnesses and evidence produced by agencies at trial. Do you believe that such exposure has resulted in an unreasonable expectation being placed on law enforcement to provide irrefutable, scientific evidence?

Maxwell: I have only seen a few episodes of CSI on television. They do an excellent job of presenting the latest in forensic technology in assisting in solving crimes. However, it is my experience that those persons who are actually doing DNA and blood analysis are professional medical practitioners:  people with degrees in biology, physics and chemistry; not police officers or detectives. They don't complete a scientific examination, and then go get a warrant and make an arrest. Now don't get me wrong, there are officers and detectives who develop tremendous crime scene processing skills, and can do analyses of ballistics, fingerprints and computers.  What I do compliment the show for doing is that it demonstrates the importance of physical evidence at crime scenes, and the coordination needed between investigators and forensic personnel. A possible negative aspect is that I am told that judges and juries now expect to see extensive scientific examinations on physical evidence on every case.

ASK: Is it difficult to attract people with science degrees to work for law enforcement in this capacity?

Maxwell: It seems that it is. Probably a matter of money. Police departments will have to pay a salary comparable to private industry to attract and retain forensic scientists.

ASK: As one of the city's “top cops,” how did you eventually find yourself
in higher education?

Maxwell: It started over 18 years ago, with a call from Philadelphia Community College. A professor named Doug White, who at the time was the coordinator of Criminal Justice there, called me out of the blue. He told me that someone whom he respected gave him my name and suggested that he try and get me to teach criminal justice courses at the College. That was the beginning. Also, I had just gotten my Master’s Degree from Saint Joesph’s and I was asked to evaluate the graduate justice program at Saint Joe’s and the next thing you know, I am teaching for my alma mater. A few years ago, Dr. Julia Hall had asked me to guest lecture at some of her classes. I soon found out that Dr. Hall is one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated teachers that I have ever been associated with. Upon my retirement from the department, she asked me to work with her at Drexel in the criminal justice program. I immediately said “Yes!”

ASK: What courses have you/are you going to teach at Drexel?

Maxwell: Criminal Investigations, Family Violence, Administration of Justice, Community Policing. I also help students with internships at various criminal justice agencies. 
 
ASK: In contrast to the State Police, most major cities don’t require any type of educational requirement. You belonged to a minority number of inner city police officials with degrees. From your combined standpoint in law enforcement and academia, do you think it’s time to install some type of requirement? 

Maxwell: I have given it much thought. I am all for education. However, I do not think
that you necessarily need a college education to be a police officer. Obviously, it would be an asset. I know that many federal, state and local departments are now requiring it. 
In those departments where it is not required to join, then you could require it for   promotional consideration, an Associate’s Degree for promotion to sergeant, and Bachelor’s for Captain. In addition, departments should encourage their officers to get a college education.

ASK: What are the implications for continuing to foster the relationship
between higher education and law enforcement?

Maxwell: In addition to the already mentioned importance of scientists in the forensic community, there are additional areas of mutual concern and benefit. One of the fastest growing criminal offenses is identity theft. Many departments, both federal and local, are looking to colleges more and more to recruit and to gain valuable scientific input from professionals in the academic community who have unique knowledge, equipment and skills. White collar crime investigations and prosecutions are very demanding. The war on terrorism is another example of the need for close working arrangements between the academic community and various law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It is my opinion that this relationship will not only continue, but expand.