Research Interests
police officer stresspolice organizational behaviorcriminal justice policydiscretionvictimization
Opportunities
Work Study Positions Available: No
Grant Funded Positions Available: No
Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No
Volunteer Research Positions Available: No
Biography
Dr. Tucker joined the West Chester University Criminal Justice Department in August of 2011. Prior to joining the faculty WCU, Dr. Tucker taught criminal justice courses at both Kutztown University and at Temple University. Dr. Tucker is a former police officer who served with Lower Merion Township Police Department (Ardmore, PA). During her years of service, she was trained in a wide variety of law enforcement topics, including crime prevention, community policing, domestic violence, child abuse investigation, fatal traffic accident investigation, and hate crimes investigation. Additionally, Dr. Tucker served as a platoon investigator and a field training officer (FTO).
Dr. Tucker’s main research interest is police officer stress. She serves on several Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams throughout the Commonwealth. In addition, she is a certified instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and regularly teaches peer-support techniques to first responders. Dr. Tucker has been published in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, Victims and Offenders, the Journal of Criminal Justice Education, and LifeNet. In addition, she has co-authored a book chapter and several encyclopedia entries.
During her tenure, Dr. Tucker has served as the department Practicum Coordinator, Graduate Coordinator, and faculty advisor to both Sigma Tau Omicron (Criminal Justice Student Association) and Alpha Phi Sigma, Nu Beta Chapter (National Criminal Justice Honor Society). She is the faculty sponsor of a group called TEAMfit which encourages students to adopt fitness and wellness habits to assist them in managing a career in criminal justice. Each year students join Dr. Tucker on healthy and fun activities such as hiking on the Appalachian or Horseshoe trails, ziplining, competitive runs (5K, Mud Run, Zombie Mud Run), escape rooms, haunted houses, and bowling.
Dr. Tucker loves to hike, kayak, and golf. She has been section hiking the Appalachian Trail since 2014. She resides in Phoenixville, PA.
