Brandy Easley

"Having the Certificate Definitely Helped!"

Brandy C. Easley
Senior Crime Analyst, Memphis, Tennessee Police Department

Brandy Easley always knew she wanted a career in law enforcement. "I was a criminal justice major at CSUF, worked for a criminal attorney and in the courts," she says.

When she found the EIP Crime and Intelligence Analysis Certificate program, it was just what she was looking for to further expand her knowledge in the field. The program includes 8 courses with 188 hours of lecture, discussion and hands-on training in the use of analysis, research and statistical methods to predict and prevent crime. A required 400-hour internship with a law enforcement agency provides actual on-the-job training.

"I enjoyed all the classes, especially the computer classes because they provided hands-on training," she says. "The instructors were very helpful, and their passion for this field motivated me to be just like them." On completion of the certificate program, Brandy worked as a crime analyst intern for the City of Fullerton Police Department while she sought work in the field. “Interviewers were impressed that I had earned a California Department of Justice Crime & Intelligence Analyst Certificate through the CSUF program," she recalls. "Most of the positions didn't even require that."

And how is she doing now? "Great!" she says. "I'm a senior crime analyst with the Memphis Police Department in Tennessee. They were very impressed with my skills and also with the California Department of Justice Certificate (which is nationally recognized). Having the certificate most definitely helped, along with my background and work experience. And I've been able to bring all those elements I learned along the way together to do this job."