CICA

What is CICA?

The Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis (CICA) was established in January 2023 and is housed within the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice. Our mission is to assist public safety agencies by enhancing their analytical capabilities through professional development, education, and research.

The public and private sectors operate in an environment fraught with threats and opportunities. The interconnected nature of American society increases the severity of manmade and natural threats facing public and private organizations. Building organizational resiliency and improving performance is predicated on an understanding of external and internal risk factors.

CICA’s goal is to enhance public safety through expanded and improved data analytics.
In fall 2024 we were fortunate to receive federal funding to support the growth and expansion of our operation, allowing us to develop new courses and deliver courses at multiple locations. We are grateful to Congressman Pete Sessions for his support of CICA and for this federal funding. Through this generous support, we are able to deliver courses without costs to individuals currently employed by public safety organizations. You can learn more about this grant here.

Click here to view our 2023 Annual Report!

Three Areas of Focus

The Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis (CICA) seeks to fulfill its mission through three areas of focus.

Direct Research and Technical Assistance

Academic Program(s) at Sam Houston State University

Degree Programs
Certification Programs
Internship Programs

Professional Development Courses for Practitioners, Including:

Agencies in the Public and Private Sectors that protect critical infrastructure
Law-Enforcement (Police)
Corrections
Court Systems/DA Offices

Crime Analysis Courses & Certificate Program

These skills-focused courses are taught by experts who are crime analysts and/or academics. Most of our courses are offered in person only but some special topics courses offered virtually. See the detailed information below for more information.

Professional Development Courses for Analysts

Foundations of Crime Analysis

Types of crime and problem analysis
Evidence based practices
Research methods
and data quality assessments
Data analysis basics
Communication strategies
Case studies

Databases and Analysis

Database Fundamentals
Microsoft Office applications
SQL and Power Query in Excel
Organizing data for analysis
Data analysis tools
Data visualization basics

Social Network Analysis

Theory and methods of SNA
Gephi Software
Lab-based learning
Communicating results
Applied Course Project

Crime and Problem Mapping

Purposes of spatial analysis
Importing and Geocoding Data
Communicating results
ArcGIS Pro
Case studies

Special Topics Courses

These classes are separate from the certificate program and can be taken at any time.
Click on the links for more information.

Hitting the Mark: Targeting in Crime Analysis

Date TBD
Location TBD
For inquiries, please email cica@shsu.edu

Foundations of Intelligence Analysis Training

Febuary 24-28, 2025
8am to 5pm
In-Person Only in Waco, TX
For inquiries, please email cica@shsu.edu
Apply Here
Course Info

Data Visualization using Power BI

January 30, 2025
Virtual and In-Person at SHSU Huntsville TX Campus
For inquiries, please email cica@shsu.edu
Course Info
Register Here

Crime Investigator-Analyst Collaboration

Upcoming Dates TBD
In-Person Only at TBD
We encourage agencies to send both investigators and analysts to this course.
For inquiries, please email cica@shsu.edu
Course Info

Crime Analysis Certificate Program - Spring/Summer 2025

Location: Round Rock, TX
The application form will open in mid-January.

Foundations of Crime Analysis
April 28-May 1, 2025

Databases & Analysis
May 19-22, 2025

Introduction to Social Network Analysis (SNA)
June 24-28, 2025

Crime and Problem Mapping
July 2025, Dates TBD

CAC Certificate Flyer
View Travel Guide for The Woodlands, TX
View Travel Guide for Huntsville, TX

For inquiries and registration, please email cica@shsu.edu.

Technical Assistance

The Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis is committed to providing long-term technical assistance to organizations. We will collaborate directly with these organizations to analyze data as well as develop and grow analysis units.

Assistance Highlights: