Kevin Arias is a 19 year veteran of the New York City Police Department and holds the rank of Detective Investigator.  Early in his career, Prof. Arias was an undercover in the Narcotics division where he played an integral role in a vast amount of buy and bust operations. Prof. Arias later entered the Detectives Squad Unit where he was primarily responsible for investigating crimes including, homicides, burglaries, sex crimes, fraud & financial crimes, amongst others. Professor Arias has been involved in cases which have gained considerable media attention.

Prof. Arias completed both his Graduate and Undergraduate work at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  Prof. Arias holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration specializing in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration.  He concluded his studies by researching The Use of Deadly Physical by Police Officers on the Afro-American and Latino communities.  Presently, Prof Arias teaches for the Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration Department. 

Prof. Arias has received numerous certificates for training completed during his 19 years of law enforcement.  Presently, Prof. Arias is a member of The New York City Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team, Dignitary Protection Team and is a certified Instructor for the State of New York on Police related topics. Prof. Arias holds educational certificates from Michigan State University on Intelligence Lead Policing and from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in The NYPD Leadership program, Enhancing Police Leadership in a Multiracial and Multicultural City.

Prior to joining the New York City Police Department, Professor Arias was a United States Marine who served from 1998 to 2008. During 1990 -1991, he was assigned to combat operations in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  On March 3, 1991, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received after stepping on a land mine inside of Kuwait. 

Most recently, Prof. Arias was a co-presenter with Dr. Maria “Maki” Haberfeld at the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina.  Prof. Arias discussed the application of Community Policing in a Combat environment.  More than one hundred Marines, who were redeploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, were present for this presentation.