Joseph R. LeGer is a retired Executive Commander from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in Phoenix, Arizona. At the beginning of his career, he served as a Deputy Sheriff in Johnson County, Kansas, just outside of Kansas City for one year. Joe retired from MCSO after serving for 20 years in 2019, at age 42, following an on-duty injury.
Following his unexpected retirement, he transitioned into academia where he is an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice, International Relations, and American National Government. Mr. LeGer also designs undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in a variety of academic disciplines, including business, marketing, healthcare, psychology, criminal justice, criminology, ethics, sociology, political science, and education. As Joe engaged with diverse community members for many years who were often placed in difficult situations beyond their control, he is very critical of the cost of secondary education and its lack of affordability.
Joe holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Political Science, both earned with the highest distinction. He is also a current graduate student in History and will soon enter a PhD program. In addition to staying current on American criminal justice, his research interests include Middle Eastern terrorism, asymmetric warfare, and law enforcement and citizens’ rights under the American Constitution.