Dearis Hoard

Dr. DeAris V. Hoard is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Criminal Justice at Walden University, where he has served since 2021. In this role, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice and forensic psychology, drawing on both academic training and applied professional experience to support student learning. Dr. Hoard has been teaching at the collegiate level since 2019, with a focus on bridging theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

Dr. Hoard’s scholarly and applied work centers on policing and criminal justice administration, with particular emphasis on law enforcement performance and evaluation, training effectiveness, and police interactions with marginalized populations. His research reflects a commitment to evidence-based practice and to advancing equitable and effective policing strategies. As a career law enforcement practitioner since 2013, he brings over a decade of in-discipline experience into both his research and instruction, positioning himself as a pracademic dedicated to integrating research and practice.

Professionally, Dr. Hoard is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. His contributions to the field have been recognized through his selection as an International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40 awardee, highlighting his leadership and impact within the policing profession. Collectively, his academic, research, and practitioner experiences underscore a sustained commitment to advancing knowledge, improving practice, and fostering meaningful change within the criminal justice system.

Courses Taught

CRJS 2001 - Criminology and Social Control

CRJS 3003 - Law Enforcement

CRJS 4102 - The Criminal Mind

CRJS 4160 - Capstone: Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice

CRJS 6137 - The Nature of Crime and Criminology

CRJS 6910 - Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics and Social Justice

CRJS 6002 - Foundations of Graduate Study

CRJS 9000 - Dissertation

Education

PhD, Walden University

MS, Xavier University

MS, Walden University

BS, University of Louisville

Public Service

Free2Hope, Inc., Board of Directors - Louisville

Awards / Honors

International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2025

Kentucky Colonel, The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, 2025

Publications

Hoard, D., Hall, J. (2025). The Rise of the Pracademic: Bridging the Gap Between the Streets and Academia. Police Chief

Hall, J., Hoard, D. (2026). Training to Needs or Checkboxes? An Evaluation of Critical Incident Response Training. NIJ LEADS Special Issue

Hoard, D. (2020). Assessing Complaints Against Police Officers With Wearable Video Systems. ACJS Today

Presentations

Hall, J., Perlongo, R., Hoard, D., Forrester, W. (2026). Critical Issues in Police Training: Evidence-Based Structure, Adult Learning, and Implementation for Local Impact.

Hoard, D. (2025). A Comparative Analysis of Innovative Critical Incident Response Training Across Two Law Enforcement Agencies. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Hall, J., Hoard, D. (2025). Training to Needs or Checkboxes? An Evaluation of Critical Incident Response Training. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Hoard, D. (2019). The Impact of Wearable Video Systems. Walden University