Law Enforcement Child Abuse Expert Witness

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Background Summary

As a college instructor, retired law enforcement officer, and victims advocate I am uniquely qualified to accept an array of positions. Since retiring, I have worked as a background investigator for the Los Angeles Police Department, spent fourteen years teaching Law Enforcement courses in the Community College sector, private and public. In addition to working after a 30-year Law Enforcement career, I have become a certified Domestic Violence Victims Advocate volunteering at a Shelter and trained and recently certified as a California Certified Court Mediator, volunteering in the Palm Springs Civil Courts.

SPECIALIZED QUALIFICATIONS

• Dispute Resolution Center, Riverside. Certification in Conflict Resolution & Mediation, 2020
• State of California, Mandated Domestic Violence Training, 2014
• Woodbury University, Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership, 2014
• 15 years teaching Community College students, 2019
• 28 years as a Law Enforcement Professional
• 13 years as a Law Enforcement Supervisor, 2005
• 17 years as a Law Enforcement Peer Counselor, 2005
• 10 years’ experience in employee collective bargaining and employee administrative investigations, 2005
• Certified Threat Assessment Analyst through the, “Gavin De Becker” Threat Analysis Program

EDUCATION

• Master of Arts, Organizational Leadership, 2014, GPA 3.8 – Woodbury University, Burbank, California
• Bachelor of Science, Occupational Studies, Minor in Vocational Arts, GPA 4.0 – California State University at Long Beach
• Associate in Arts, Administration of Justice, Honors, 1979, GPA 4.0- Santa Monica College, Santa Monica

EMPLOYMENT

COLLEGE TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
  Chaffey Community College, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 2009 to 2019
• Law Enforcement Education Coordinator / California
  American Public University System / American Military University, 2009 to 2011
• Consultant and Instructor, Criminal Justice / Security Officer Training
  East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program, West Covina, California, 2012

• Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice – Platt College, Los Angeles, California, 2011 to 2012

• Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice – ITT Technical Institute, San Dimas, California, 2005 to 2007

LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT –

Sergeant, 1992 to 2005

• Detective Division: Family Crimes Bureau, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Investigations, S.T.O.P. Team Supervisor 2001 to 2005
• Advocacy Unit, Civil Service and Arbitration Hearings, 1998 to 2001
• Court Services, East Bureau, Pasadena Court, 1997 to 1998
• Field Operations, Region II, West Hollywood Station, 1994 to 1997
• Lynwood Regional Justice Center, Transition Team, Custody Division, 1992 to 1994

Deputy Sheriff, 1982 to 1992–

• Juvenile Investigations Bureau, , Child Abuse Investigations, 1989 to 1992
• Juvenile Operations Bureau, SA.N.E., (Substance Abuse and Narcotics Education), taught in the public schools, 1987 to 1989
• Patrol Division, Lynwood Station, Patrol, Domestic Violence Station representative, Evidence and Contract City representative. 1984 to 1987
• Custody Division, Sybil Brand Institute (women’s detention facility), 1982 to 1984

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

• Community Services Officer / Police Officer, 1980 to 1982
• Police Officer, 1979 to 1980
• Police Cadet, 1976 to 1979

COLLEGE TEACHING SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE: Thorough understanding of all issues relating to law enforcement; specialized knowledge of state and federal laws relating to sexual harassment, sexual violence and gender-based discrimination; ability to communicate knowledge through instruction

INSTRUCTION: Dynamic teaching style, involving students in seminar-style learning

CURRICULUM: Develop course outlines and lesson plans for all classroom instruction; selection of books and materials; create and administer testing instruments

LAW ENFORCEMENT / DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPOSURES

• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVES: With two other officers, founded first 24-hour Volunteer Domestic Violence Unit in Santa Monica; served as L.A. Sheriff’s Department representative in domestic violence from 1982 to 2005; led Family Crimes Bureau Domestic Violence Unit, S.T.O.P. PROGRAMMING: Assisted City of Barstow Police Department in creating Domestic Violence Program; developed Lynwood Station’s Domestic Violence Program; served as founding task force member for West Hollywood Domestic Violence Program; supervisor, Family Crime Bureau STOP Team and Child Abuse Investigations Team.
• POLICY DEVELOPMENT: Worked with department and community experts to develop policies to respond to and prevent domestic violence, elder and child abuse.
• STRATEGIC COORDINATION: Experienced in working with teams on many major projects, including a groundbreaking pooling of resources from West Hollywood law enforcement, city and community partners on program to educate, prevent and intervene in domestic violence, especially in LGBT community Domestic Violence: As part of Watson Bill, taught mandated 8-hour training in domestic violence for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, (LASD), personnel, including supervisors, and departmental executives. Became the departmental Instructor for the Sheriff’s Academy recruits and advanced training officer classes in the subject of Domestic Violence for 20 years during which time I became the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department point person regarding all things Domestic Violence.
• TRAINING MATERIALS: Developed the California Peace Officer’s Standard and Training, (POST), forty- hour curriculum for domestic violence, to include course outline, tests, handouts, and audio-visual materials
• INVESTIGATIONS: Skilled in investigating incidents of Domestic Violence

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS EXPOSURES

• EMPLOYEE / CIVIL SERVICE HEARINGS: Legal Advocate for L.A. Sheriff’s Department in Civil Service and arbitration hearings; thorough knowledge of EEO and ADA regulations; assisted department executives in negotiations; reviewed cases for administrative investigations; wrote disposition worksheets, legal outlines and briefs; recommended final dispositions to unit command.
• LEGAL KNOWLEDGE/Skilled in opening statements, direct examination, introduction of exhibits, cross-examination and closing statements before hearing officer.
• DATA ANALYSIS: Substantial ability to compile, analyze, interpret, and synthesize large amounts of data in legal cases involving members of employee unions.
• EMPLOYEE UNIONS: Served as delegate for Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, 8 years; member of Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Fraternal Order of Police, and other employee organizations.

CONSULTING EXPERIENCE

• Expert witness in the subject of domestic violence in court for criminal and civil cases. Current – Background Investigator, City of Los Angeles, 2006
• Background and Internal Affairs Investigator, criminal and civil.
  Internal Affairs Consultants, Los Angeles, 2006 to 2007

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• The President of the United States, Volunteer Service Award, Bronze, 2014, by the Corporation for National and Community Service. In recognition and appreciation for your commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service. Special service commitment to Education.
• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Award, 1997, for outstanding work in helping to create West Hollywood Domestic Violence Program.
• Meritorious Service Award, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, 1994, for serving on team that helped to design and write policies for new Lynwood Regional Justice Center
• Distinguished Instructor Award, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Training Bureau

PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS

• Current Member: Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Women Police, and Sheriffs Relief Association.
• Certified Volunteer Advocate, House of Ruth, Inc. Shelter, Pomona, California, (2013-2019); State of California Certification as a Domestic Violence Advocate; completed 120 hours of mandated training in 2014. Recipient of the Bronze Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States, (100 hours of Community Service).
• Board of Directors, Grace Center, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Center, Sierra Madre, California, (18 years).
• Southern California Regional Representative, National Center for Women in Policing; 20-person task group responsible for educating and training law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S., on domestic violence issues

CAREER STRENGTHS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Disciplined and organized
• Committed to excellence
• Dynamic and confident leadership style
• Highly energetic, task-driven, and detail-oriented
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, oral and written communication