I currently oversee an area command in patrol. I have also overseen the Training Bureau and Professional Standards Bureau.
What motivated you to be a LEPSL ambassador?
I very much enjoyed the program and I see the benefit to current and future leaders of law enforcement by learning how to apply principles of law enforcement through an academic setting.
Why did you choose the LEPSL program? What made LEPSL stand out in comparison to other schools/programs?
Prior to choosing LEPSL, I looked at other programs that were not law enforcement-related. I felt that it would help me look at law enforcement from a different perspective. I had a friend who was in the LEPSL program who told me what he was learning, which piqued my interest. I am glad I chose LEPSL because it provided a different perspective on law enforcement. Listening to the instructors and reading other discussion boards, I have applied what I learned to my current position as a leader within my organization.
What were your concerns about starting a graduate program?
Dedicating time to the program was a concern, but I have learned to balance my time and still complete the necessary assignments.
How did the LEPSL program help you achieve your career goals?
I promoted at the start of the program; however, as I learned my position, I was able to immediately apply what I was learning in LEPSL to my current position.
What advice would you share with prospective LEPSL applicants?
To prospective applicants, I would tell them that if they are researching a school to attend, there is already a spark of interest there. I would ask them a rhetorical question, are you better off without a master’s degree in your current position? A degree not only demonstrates that you can accomplish a task but also demonstrates a commitment to improving your profession and yourself.
Did you have a favorite instructor?
My favorite instructor was Dr. Fritsvold. It is very evident the passion he has for his students through his feedback and his advocacy not only for the program but for law enforcement as a whole.
What were you balancing while participating in the LEPSL program?
At the time of starting this program, I had just started as a Professional Standards and Training Bureau Lieutenant with major projects on my desk that had set deadlines. In addition, we were homeschooling our kids and I was balancing a new position that I was learning. I became skilled at time management and was able to work through both home and school life.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
Having the support of my family was key. I took the mindset that I was not going to quit no matter what was happening. There were a few times I wanted to pause the program, but in my mind, it was not an option. If I traveled, my computer came with me and I gave up some free time to complete homework assignments.
LEPSL Graduating Class:
2024