Master of Justice Administration
October 2015
Engage. Enrich. Empower
Retired Major from Cary PD
Details his MJA Journey
By: Lisa Long
Retired Cary (NC) Police Department Major David Wulff began his MJA
journey in the spring semester of 2009. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Campbell University and the completion of
North Carolina State University’s Administrative Officers Management
Program under his belt, Wulff listened to Retired Fayetteville (NC) Police
Chief Tom McCarthy speak to his department about the MJA program and
its benefits. Having had thoughts of attending graduate school, Wulff was
having an internal tug-of-war with himself, as he knew it had been nine
years since he completed AOMP. He wanted to be sure that he would be
given transfer credits for his AOMP courses.
“The main reason I wanted a
Master’s degree was to be
able to teach college when I
retired. The MJA helped me
fulfill that goal...”
- David Wulff
“It was kind of a deal breaker in my mind, although it should not have
been. I think I was looking for an excuse not to
do this,” Wulff remembers.
Wulff then had additional conversations with
Methodist University
staff and faculty and an
agreement was reached
that MU would accept
the credits for up to ten
years instead of the 5
year limit that was previously in place. His mind
was made up.
(continued on pg 3)
Retired Cary Police Department Major David Wulff
In This Issue

Retired Cary PD Major speaks about the
MJA Program

NCLEWA Conference

Methodist University
Activities

25 Signs You’re a
Police Officer’s Kid
Methodist University Activities

The “Land of Dreams”, an
exhibition of photography by
Bryce Lankard that captures
20 years of pre-Hurricane
Katrina New Orleans and the
Gulf South life, will take place
in the Union-Zukowski Lobby &
Gallery. The exhibit is being
held in conjunction with the
25th Southern Writers Symposium - See more at: http://
www.methodist.edu/muevents/land-of-dreams-bybrycelankard#sthash.ewPUHWiY.dpuf
NCLEWA Members pose for a photo with NC Attorney General Roy Cooper
MJA Students attend NCLEWA
Conference
The North Carolina Law Enforcement Women Association held it’s Fall Conference at the Larry T. Justus Western Justice Academy in Edneyville September 711, 2015. NCLEWA President Latisha Allen is an MJA student, as well as Historian Marianne Bond and Board of Directors member Derri Stormer. NCLEWA
members consist of law enforcement officers, of various rank and title, from agencies throughout the state of North Carolina. Annual training conferences provide
up-to-date, informative training which is used by members in the course of performing their duties and in general day-to-day living. Training is coordinated
through the North Carolina Justice Academy which results in continuing education
credits.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper visited the NCLEWA conference
attendees while in town for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Western
Regional Crime Laboratory.
September 17-October
24 “Land of Dreams” By
Bryce Lankard

October 1-October 3
WIP (Works in Progress:
The Poetry Project
 Huff Concert Hall Stage
Reeves Fine Arts Building

October 16-October 17
Homecoming & Family
Weekend

October 17
Fayetteville Symphony
Orchestra Concert
 Huff Concert Hall Reeves
Fine Arts Building
Wulff, continued
“That made my decision for me and I applied the next day,” said Wulff.
Wulff applied and was accepted. While completing his MJA,, Wulf was still working as a Major in charge of the Service Bureau at Cary
PD. Wulff graduated from the MJA program in December of 2010. Just as many other MJA students, Wulff worked a full-time demanding law enforcement job, went to graduate school full-time and continued to raise a family.
“My suite mate, Major Gerald Childress of Mooresville Police Department and I would talk regularly about dropping out of the program
because of our jobs, workload and other commitments. This went on about two semesters before we realized we could do the work,”
said Wulff.
Wulff knew he wanted to obtain a Master’s degree so he could pursue a dream of teaching after retirement. He retired from Cary PD in
November of 2011. Upon retirement, Wulff began teaching as an adjunct professor at Campbell University in the Criminal Justice and
Homeland Security programs. He is also an adjunct professor at Methodist University in the MJA Program.
“The main reason I wanted a Master’s degree was to be able to teach college when I retired. The MJA helped me fulfill that goal,”
states Wulff.
Wulff is also a subject matter expert in the IADLEST (International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training) National Certification Program. In his spare time, he’s also a Morrisville Police Department reserve officer, assisting them with
training.
Wulff has some fond memories of his time in the program. The coursework was intense, the residency weekends were intense, but
there were also “light notes” that Wulff recalls.
“Remembering statistics class with Dr. Eric See, where he tried his best to teach us something, including the card game Euchre. Dr.
See is the only one in the program that gave me a “B” and I will always remember him for that—in a good way,” said Wulff.
Along with many past MJA graduates, Wulff was able to pull from his MJA assignments and classwork to affect change at his agency.
His Capstone project was Measuring the Success of the Roll-Out of the Cary Police Department’s Geo-Policing Effort to its officers. His
Capstone laid a foundation for current Cary Police Chief Tony Godwin, also an MJA graduate, to continue research during his capstone
and ultimately measuring the affects the program had on crime in the Cary community.
“My suggestion for ANYONE starting this program is to start early on your [capstone]. It seems [to be] a daunting task, but it can be
done, even when holding down a full time job and a family. The professors at Methodist are always willing to talk to you about your
ideas, and it’s never too early to start your research and putting things on paper. Organization was the key to my success in the program,” says Wulff.
The MJA program is a unique graduate level program in that the majority of its students are working professionals. This may sometimes present challenges and obstacles for students. Having completed the program successfully, Wulff has some advice and recommendations for new and prospective students to meet with the same success he did.
“For new students, hang in there, it doesn’t get easier, but it does eventually finish up. It is well worth the effort, and like anything in life,
you get what you put into it. Enjoy the experience and get to know your classmates. You will stay connected for a long time to come,” says Wulff
And for prospective students…who may be on the fence or just not sure if
graduate school is for them right now?
“Don’t wait, jump in with both feet. There is never a great time to start graduate school, but the sooner you start, the sooner you finish!” Wulff exclaims.
“If your actions inspire
others to dream more,
Wulff has been married to his wife Linda for over 20 years. He is a native of
Cleveland, OH and worked as a law enforcement officer prior to moving to
Cary, NC. He also went to high school with Jeffrey Dahmer!
learn more, do more and
Recently, Wulff was accepted into the Deaconate Program of the Diocese of
Raleigh in the Roman Catholic Church. The program began in September
2015. Wulff and his wife will attend all of the classes together, as a family.
leader.”
“With its ultimate completion and the grace of God, I will be a Deacon in the
Catholic Church in June of 2020,” says Wulff.
become more, you are a
-John Quincy Adams
25 signs you’re a police officer's kid
If you’re a first-generation police officer, there are some things you
should know about what it’s like to be your kid
If you grew up in a law enforcement household like I did, you belong
to an exclusive club that uniquely influenced your upbringing and
how you behave as an adult.
If you’re a first-generation police officer, there are some things you
should know about what it’s like to be your kid. The following list
compiles some of the things cops’ kids spend hours complaining
about, conversing about and laughing about.
1. You were put into some sort of martial arts or self-defense class shortly after you graduated kindergarten.
2. You have trouble trusting strangers.
Image: Overstock.com
3. Guns make you feel comfortable and safe.
4. You carry a weapon with you at all times — pepper spray, a pocket knife, or even a firearm.
5. You question the tactics of all movie and TV cops — your parents did this and likely ruined some movies/TV shows for you.
6. Your friends seem annoyingly naïve (they haven’t heard the “real life” stories you probably grew up on).
7. All of your parents’ friends are involved in some capacity with law enforcement.
8. More than once you’ve heard someone say: “Your parents are cops!? Wow, you must not be able to get away with anything.”
9. When you told people you were a cop’s kid, they assumed that you were either a goody-two shoes or extremely rebellious (as if you couldn’t be anywhere in between).
10. You’ve spent more than your fair share of time in police stations (and it was a positive experience).
11. You’ve gotten out of a speeding ticket — particularly in the town your parent works in — because the officer who pulled you over remembered when you were a baby.
12. Your friends were allowed to do certain things or go certain places alone (like the mall, a carnival, or a party) at a much younger age than you were.
13. It was normal if your police parent wasn’t there for a soccer game, a birthday party or even Christmas morning.
14. Your parent’s over-protectiveness drove you crazy as a kid, but you became thankful for it once you got older.
15. More than once, you’ve said to your parent(s): “Please stop thinking like a cop for just one second.”
16. Unlike most people, when you see a patrol car, you smile and wave at the officer.
17. You’re the only one in a class discussion on police use of force who is passionately defending the actions of the cops.
18. All of your babysitters were other cops’ kids.
19. It was normal for your mom or dad to tuck you into bed and then head off to work for the night.
20. Your parent was the most popular speaker at your grade school’s career day.
21. A normal day of family fun may have included a couple hours at the range or practicing active-shooter drills.
22. Every time you made a new friend, your parents had to have the full name and date of birth of everyone living in the house before you could visit.
23. You appreciate your police parent more and more as you get older because you realize how strong they must be to go to work every day knowing they might not come
home.
24. You are proud of your parent each and every day.
25. Even though your parent missed some things you wished they hadn’t, never made millions and forced you to follow a ridiculous set of rules, you still love them and
what they do.
It’s great to
be a cop’s
kid, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Image:
Overstock.com