WIU: Inside the System, An LEJA Podcast

WIU Inside the System | EP 16: Emergency Management Professor – Franco Perez

Welcome to WIU: Inside the System, presented by Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA).In this week's episode we are introduced to our newest professor in LEJA, Franco Perez, who teaches in Emergency Management with interests in Homeland Security, Preparedness and Planning, Security, THIRA, Red Teaming, Evacuation Planning, and Strength Training. Professor Perez discusses his journey to Western Illinois University as a student, and eventually a faculty member, as well as what he thinks the importance of AI in emergency management's future is.

WIU Inside the System | EP 15: Real Polygraph Test: How Lie Detector Tests Actually Work

Welcome to WIU: Inside the System, presented by Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA).In this installment Associate Professor David Young shows us how a real polygraph test works in law enforcement. In this episode, we take you inside an actual polygraph examination and break down the science behind lie detector tests.Watch as a subject undergoes a real polygraph, and learn how investigators analyze physiological responses like heart rate, breathing, and skin conductivity to detect deception.Polygraphs are widely used in criminal investigations, background checks, and federal hiring—but how accurate are they really? This epsidoe explores the truth behind one of the most debated tools in modern policing.

WIU Inside the System | EP 14: The Importance of a Four Year Degree in LEJA

Welcome to WIU: Inside the System, presented by Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA).In this installment Dr. Todd Lough is back to explain the significance of earning a four year degree in law enforcement and criminal justice. Hear his story on how his degree helped him be prepared for the academy, and why he thinks a degree will put students ahead of the game in the law enforcement and criminal justice field.

WIU Inside the System | EP 13: Retired Acting Director of the U.S. Marshals Service David Harlow

Welcome to WIU: Inside the System, presented by Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA).In this week's episode we meet David Harlow, a Western Illinois University graduate who served in various positions with the U.S. Marshal Services, culminating in serving as the acting director until his retirement in 2018.Hear about some of his experiences as a U.S. Marshal, as well as some of the things he says are important for today's college students to know when pursuing a career in law enforcement.

WIU Inside the System | EP 12: Implementation Project Manager for D4H, Marie Hunt

Welcome to WIU: Inside the System, presented by Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA).This week's episode, our final one for 2025, we are introduced to Marie Hunt, who is the implementation project manager at D4H. She discusses her career path from personal trainer to the technical side of emergencymanagement, and what she says is the best part about her job. Also hear about where she sees the future of incident management platforms going and AI's role in the future of emergency management software.