Former Oakland Police Chief Brings Top Experience to the Classroom

When students walked into their Intro to Administration of Justice classroom on the first day of fall classes, they were in for a surprise: their instructor was none other than former Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan. No doubt they are in for a stimulating semester of learning as the 20-year Oakland Police veteran and police chief (2010-2013) will  include his own experiences in the curriculum.

So how did the former police chief end up teaching at Merritt College?

“I just asked him,” says Margaret Dixon, chair of Merritt’s Administration of Justice Department and also a former veteran of Oakland’s finest. “I took a chance and he graciously agreed.  I am thrilled to have Chief Jordan teaching in the program, and I know how much the students will benefit from his real-life experience.”

Administration of Justice Chair Margaret Dixon, also a veteran of