Christopher Koper, professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society and principal fellow of Mason’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, has been named the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Society of Criminology’s (ASC) Division of Policing.
The award recognizes an established academic/researcher whose outstanding contributions to the field of policing either consists of a single outstanding work, a series of theoretical or research contributions, or the nominee’s accumulated scholarly contributions.
“I am truly delighted that Professor Koper has received this award,” said James Willis, Criminology, Law and Society department chair. “It is well deserved. Chris is a scholar in every sense of the word – curious, careful, humble, rigorous, and balanced. He is a leader in the evidence-based policing movement, and he has made substantial contributions to police research and practice, and to efforts for reducing gun crime. He has preternatural skill in creating bridges between police departments, policy institutions, and academia, and, to quote from his nomination letter, 'has influenced policing to a degree that is uncommon even among the most distinguished policing scholars.'”
Koper was nominated for the award by David Weisburd, Distinguished Professor of Criminology, Law and Society and executive director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. “Professor Koper has been on the cutting edge of evidence-based policing for three decades,” he noted. “He has produced some of the most important and impactful work in policing and gun violence, and his Koper Curve has come to define how police carry out hot spots policing. His scholarship has influenced policing to a degree that is uncommon even among the most distinguished policing scholars.”
Koper will receive the award at this year’s ASC conference in Atlanta during the Policing Division’s annual reception and awards ceremony, Thursday, November 17.
September 28, 2022
