Commander Brad Welch began his career with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (California) in 1999. He has worked multiple assignments throughout his 25-year career including corrections officer, dispatch, patrol, field training officer, mobile field force, narcotics investigator, patrol sergeant, professional standards sergeant, patrol bureau lieutenant, court services and civil lieutenant, contract services lieutenant and commander of a patrol division. Commander Welch has a master’s degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego and is a graduate of the California POST Command College Class #69. Commander Welch is an associate instructor for Ventura College and has lectured at several state and local conferences.
What motivated you to be a LEPSL ambassador?
As one of the graduates of the inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership Masters Degree class at the University of San Diego, I feel it is my duty to pay it back and lead more to make the best decision which is to join the program!
Why did you choose the LEPSL program? What made LEPSL stand out in comparison to other schools/programs?
It was and still is one of a kind. There is no other program, either brick and mortar or online that comes close to the curriculum and caliber of this program.
What were your concerns about starting a graduate program?
Time commitment and the unknown. However, the staff was great in supporting me!
How did the LEPSL program help you achieve your career goals?
Graduating from LEPSL has continued to assist me in promoting up two more ranks and counting. It also has opened doors for me to attend highly sought-after and well-respected training courses including POST Command College and Cal Chiefs ELI.
What advice would you give to someone to be a more effective leader?
As leaders, we need to always be open, eager, and willing to learn. While we can surround ourselves with people who are subject matter experts, we should always be striving to be the best, most well-educated leaders who are able to make data-driven decisions to better their organizations. There is no better Master’s Degree program out there to assist you in learning and becoming the best leader than LEPSL at USD,
What was your favorite LEPSL course?
I had a class that was taught by a Public Defender which was eye-opening. Most interactions we have as law enforcement officers with Public Defenders are in court and in an adversarial position. This class changed my views on them, and I appreciated the different opinions!
What were you balancing while participating in the LEPSL program?
During my LEPSL program, I was balancing being a husband, a parent to young twin boys, a full-time job as a Patrol Sergeant, Vice President of our Deputy Sheriff’s Association (Union), coaching AYSO soccer and dealing with a terminal family member, and multiple family/personal tragedies. Still graduated with my class, and with pride.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
To stay motivated to finish the program, I received support from the LEPSL team, my classmates, family, friends, and the leaders withing my agency.
LEPSL Graduating Class:
2017