Police Officer
Santa Monica, California
Police Officer, Canine Handler, and Field Training Officer (FTO), a law enforcement generalist for more than 18 years, duties included law enforcement and investigations from homicide to shoplifting, exercising powers of arrest, collecting evidence, interviewing and interrogation, preparing reports, and court testimony. I was accustomed to following criminal investigations as far as possible from the initial report, including follow-up investigation, writing and serving search and arrest warrants and interrogating suspects. I worked with special enforcement teams, a foot beat, bicycle and beach patrol, and dispatching with computer assisted dispatching technology and a 911 emergency call system. I was a FTO for nine years and taught new and experienced officers all aspects law enforcement and criminal investigation, provided daily/weekly evaluation of student performance, including recommendation for remediation or dismissal. I assisted with and developed curriculum and evaluation techniques based on task analysis studies, needs assessments, and research. I worked with supervisors, peers and members of other agencies to build consensus on solutions to training needs including training methods and locations for canine training. The curriculum included emergency vehicle operation, pursuit driving, traffic stops (risk and high risk stops), driving under the influence, field sobriety testing, narcotics investigation, surveillance techniques, officer survival methods, ethics, street gangs, interpersonal skills, victim’s issues, crisis management, firearms, patrol procedures, report writing, and court testimony.Supervisory experience included as needed Field Sergeant, Watch Commander and Communication Center Supervisor on several occasions for periods of 2-3 months. I also received extensive training as a peer counselor. Accomplishments included the Santa Monica Police Department's Life Saving Medal as well as multiple commendations for arrests and investigations.