Houston, Texas — October 23, 2025. The International Police Science Association (IPSA) is pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 IAPT – Category II: Police Research & Advancement of Police Sciences. From a field of 15 international submissions, the Evaluation Committee shortlisted three outstanding papers and unanimously awarded First Place to James A. Meaux (Independent Researcher, Houston, TX, USA) and Dr. Nathan P. Jones (Sam Houston State University, USA) for their rigorous, policy-relevant study applying social network analysis to uncover the structure and dynamics of organized catalytic converter theft networks across the United States. The Committee noted the paper’s methodological sophistication, cross-agency utility, and clear implications for dismantling property-crime conspiracies.
Top 3 Shortlist (alphabetical):
- Kaylee Fredala, et al., “Injury Frequency and Location Comparison of Full-Time and Part-Time SWAT Operators.”
- Fomnya, et al., “Community Policing as a Strategy for Crime Reduction in Nigeria (Yola North LGA, Adamawa State).”
- WINNER: James A. Meaux & Nathaniel P. Jones, “Organized Catalytic Converter Theft: An Exploratory Social Network Analysis of a Nationwide Catalytic Converter Theft Network.”
James A. Meaux (Independent Researcher, Houston, TX, USA) and Dr. Nathan P. Jones (Sam Houston State University, USA)
