Charles Katz

Charles Katz is a distinguished academic professional serving as the Watts Family Director of the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University. He holds the position of Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, where his primary focus lies in police transformation and strategic responses to crime.

An expert in the field, Charles Katz works closely with the Phoenix Police Department as a research partner, particularly evaluating their agency's initiatives related to body-worn cameras and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, programs sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Additionally, he leads the Arizona Violent Death Reporting System, a CDC-sponsored project.

Charles Katz's influence extends beyond local projects; he actively collaborates with international organizations such as USAID and UNDP to craft strategic plans aimed at reforming police agencies globally. His portfolio includes research commissioned by the US Department of Homeland Security and USAID in Central American countries like El Salvador and Honduras, focusing on issues concerning prominent gangs like MS13 and delinquency prevention.

With a solid educational background, Charles Katz acquired a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Truman State University.

A seasoned academic, Charles Katz has held various positions within Arizona State University, including Professor, Watts Family Director, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor, demonstrating his dedication to education and research in the field of criminology and criminal justice.