For 25 years, Gerald J. Gill Jr. has walked into his classrooms at SUNY Erie Community College with the confidence of someone who has seen the criminal justice system from many perspectives.
Gill brings decades of law enforcement experience to SUNY Erie, inspiring students who are learning about the field of criminal justice. Gill is a professor of criminal justice who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Buffalo State University and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law. In addition to teaching, he continues to practice law privately.
Before that, he spent 35 years as a police officer with the Lancaster Police Department, nine of those as chief of police. Earlier, he worked as a corrections officer.
“I loved it,” Gill says of his years in law enforcement. “The challenge. The responsibility. There are no regrets.”
Gill teaches courses at SUNY Erie in Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, both seated and online, Internship and Criminal Justice Ethics. His areas of expertise include police operations, use of force, vicarious liability and police community relations.
“Our students aren’t just learning theory; they’re learning from someone who has lived these realities behind a textbook,” said Gill.
Law enforcement runs in the Gill family. His brother is a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and alumnus of SUNY Erie. Another brother, also a SUNY Erie alumnus, served as a New York State Police investigator.
“We were first-generation police officers,” Gill notes, a unique distinction that underscores a shared commitment to public service.
Among his proudest of professional accomplishments is guiding the Lancaster Police Department through a landmark moment, earning certification from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for following best practices, a historic first-time approval. Under his leadership, the department also built a new, state-of-the-art police station, a legacy of modernization for the community.
Yet for all his professional accolades, Gill speaks most passionately about something that sits on the North Campus, the SUNY Erie Crime and Punishment Museum, located in Bretschger Hall, room 709. The museum, he says, fosters the learning process and growth of students by bringing history and justice to life. It is more than a collection of artifacts; it is an immersive teaching tool that challenges students to think in depth about crime, justice and reform.
At SUNY Erie, Gill often references a familiar phrase: “Knowledge is good.” The words made famous by Emil Faber, the fictional president of Faber College in the film “Animal House,” are etched onto a statue in the movie’s setting.
Balancing a demanding teaching schedule, private legal practice and decades of public service hasn’t left him with much sleep, he admits with a smile. After a quarter-century in the classroom, Gill continues to bridge the gap between practice and principle, guiding the next generation of criminal justice professionals, not just with lectures, but with dynamic interaction and even scenario simulation.
A lifelong reader of classic detective fiction, he once read Death on the Nile while actually sailing the Nile River and Murder on the Orient Express as a passenger aboard the historic Orient Express, proving that immersive learning isn’t limited to the classroom.
Gill encourages the community to visit SUNY Erie’s Crime and Punishment Museum, a reminder that criminal justice is not just something studied in a classroom, but something lived, debated and constantly evolving.
For museum information and tours, email gill@ecc.edu.
Why should students consider majoring in Criminal Justice at SUNY Erie?
Every professor in the program brings practical, hands-on experience from the criminal
justice field. Students aren’t just learning theory, they’re gaining insights from professors who
have served as police officers, attorneys, federal agents, corrections officers and
investigators. By learning from faculty who have firsthand knowledge of the challenges
and realities of the field, students are better prepared to step confidently into
their own careers.
What makes SUNY Erie’s Criminal Justice program distinctive?
One of the things that really sets SUNY Erie apart is its Crime and Punishment Museum. We’re the
only community college in the country with a crime museum right on campus that’s also
open to the public. It gives students the chance to see real artifacts, dig into actual
case studies, and connect what they’re learning in the classroom to life situations. Students don’t just
walk through the museum; they’re part of it. They can work with exhibits, help with
research and curation and interact with visitors from the community. This helps them
better understand the criminal justice system while also building valuable skills
like communication, critical thinking and professionalism.
How do you connect with students in the classroom?
I try to find a spark, something that appeals to them personally. Some students need
time before they contribute. Sometimes it takes encouragement, sometimes it takes
showing them a different angle of the subject. When you find that connection, it can
change everything.
What careers are students most interested in?
Law enforcement careers are still the top interest. Many students see themselves becoming
police officers, federal agents or investigators.
How do you keep students engaged in class?
I incorporate current events into the lessons. Criminal justice is constantly in the news; it’s probably
the most written-about subject today. I’m also a film buff, so I use movie clips, books and hybrid media
to reinforce concepts. I don’t like to just read from a textbook. I use scenario-based
learning such as search and seizure exercises, and even use props, handcuffs and museum
artifacts, to make it interactive.
What changes are happening in the field of criminal justice?
Federal agents are increasingly visible in communities across the country, especially
with immigration enforcement and homeland security concerns. There’s a high demand
in those areas. SUNY Erie offers a Homeland Security certificate program that prepares
students for careers in national security, emergency management and law enforcement.
What inspires you to work at SUNY Erie?
The opportunity to share knowledge is what inspires me most. Teaching is about sharing,
and knowledge empowers students to grow both academically and personally. Many students
arrive at SUNY Erie still searching for focus or direction. I welcome the challenge
of nurturing their curiosity, helping them discover their strengths and guiding them
toward a meaningful career path.
What do you find most rewarding about working with SUNY Erie students?
Helping students to believe in themselves. When students realize they can succeed, and
then actually achieve their goals, that’s the greatest reward. It’s especially fulfilling
to see students walk across the stage at graduation with excitement. Knowing that
I was able to play even a small part in their journey toward personal and professional
success is incredibly gratifying.
What are some challenges in education today?
Artificial intelligence is certainly one of them, along with keeping students genuinely
engaged face-to-face. Communication skills, like verbal skills, don’t develop on their
own, and they really need consistent practice. That’s why I build in interactive exercises
and scenarios to keep students involved. At the end of the day, it’s about finding
the right balance between using modern technology and still making sure students can
confidently communicate and connect with others.
What skills do today’s students need most to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce?
The ability to communicate with sincerity. You have to be able to speak clearly, respectfully and
honestly. It’s about listening just as much as you talk. Employers are looking for
people who can collaborate, handle difficult conversations professionally and build
trust with colleagues and clients.
What’s one teaching strategy that makes SUNY Erie stand out?
Our Criminal Justice faculty all practiced in the fields they teach. That’s unique.
Students benefit from instructors who have firsthand experience.
How does SUNY Erie uniquely support equity and access?
SUNY Erie truly shows its commitment to equity and access through its mission, welcoming
students from every background. The college understands that not everyone starts from
the same place, so it works to remove financial, academic and personal barriers that
might stand in the way.
What impact do you hope to leave?
I hope students in criminal justice leave not only with knowledge, but with a strong
sense of confidence and direction. I want them to learn to trust themselves, their
instincts, their judgment, and their ability to make ethical, informed decisions, so
they feel empowered to move forward as future professionals in the criminal justice
field. If I can help turn curiosity into purpose, I’ve done my job.
What academic advice do you give to students?
What you do today has a direct impact on what you’ll be able to do tomorrow. My advice
to students is to stay focused on your goals, remain persistent and remember that
consistent effort compounds over time. Success isn’t just about talent, it’s about
determination, discipline and the willingness to keep pushing forward. By committing
fully to your studies, seeking help when you need it and embracing each opportunity
to learn and grow, you set yourself up to achieve more than you might imagine.
Learn more about SUNY Erie’s Criminal Justice programs: