Mims, Debra

Tenured Assistant Professor 

Professor Department of Criminal Justice 

College of Education and Social Services 

Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida 

Education  

Associate of Arts, Saint Leo University 

Bachelor of Arts, Saint Leo University 

Masters in Criminal Justice, Saint Leo University 

Doctor of Business Administration, Specialization in Criminal Justice, Northcentral University, Phoenix, Arizona   

Experience  

Dr. Mims has been a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and College of Education and Social Services at Saint Leo University since 2010. She earned her doctoral degree from Northcentral University researching Forensic Investigators’ Perceptions of Animal Assisted Intervention during Investigations of Child Sexual Abuse.  Dr. Mims is a retired Tampa Police Officer where she was fortunate enough to be able to obtain extensive knowledge and expertise by exceling in a myriad of positions within the Tampa Police Department throughout her tenure.  

Dr. Mims was a mounted patrol officer and served in the Community Relations Bureau.  Additionally, Dr. Mims worked in undercover operations, was a Field Training Officer (FTO), and a child abuse, elderly abuse and domestic violence investigator. Dr. Mims was certified with International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), and is a Certified Firearms and BLS/CPR instructor.  She currently holds Security Officer Training and Private Investigator licenses and is the Therapy Dog Liaison for the Tampa Bay Regions 5 Critical Incident Stress Management Team and the Dade City Courthouse Therapy Dog program.  In addition to her work as a Professor, Dr. Mims has presented at numerous local, national and international conferences; written over two dozen journal articles and has authored and co-authored several books.