I have proudly served with the Anchorage Police Department since 2016, dedicating the majority of my career to frontline duties as a patrol officer. My experience extends beyond patrolling; for two years, I contributed to our Background and Recruiting Unit, where I played a vital role in selecting and mentoring new recruits. Since 2022, I have held the position of Patrol Supervisor, where I oversee daily operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of our swing shift patrol team. In addition to these responsibilities, I am honored to serve as the Supervisor for our Crisis Negotiation Team, where I lead efforts to resolve high-stakes situations peacefully and effectively.
What motivated you to be a LEPSL ambassador?
As soon as I started my first class at the University of San Diego, I realized that the LEPSL program was unlike any educational program I had attended. This program aims to develop the next generation of leaders by learning from current leaders in the field. Through the curriculum at USD, we enhance our leadership capabilities while exploring solutions to the most urgent challenges facing law enforcement agencies today. The MS-LEPSL program integrates insights from the everyday experiences of law enforcement leaders with current and relevant topics discussed in command meetings.
As a program ambassador, my goal is to share the incredible impact this program has had on me in just three short months. Additionally, as a program ambassador, I will share lessons from courses like Public Safety Law in a Dynamic World and Best Practices in Community Engagement and how these principles apply to real-world critical incidents and situations that everyday police officers encounter. These are essential lessons for all aspiring leaders to learn and grow as effective leaders within their departments.
Moreover, as a program ambassador, I bring experience from other universities and educational programs, such as the blended program at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. This is a crucial trait for a program ambassador, as we represent the face of the program and are expected to answer questions from prospective students. I will provide insights on how this program compares to others and demonstrate how the knowledge gained from the University of San Diego is unparalleled.
Why did you choose the LEPSL program? What made LEPSL stand out in comparison to other schools/programs?
As a patrol officer, I remember our division commander, who was a student at the University of San Diego at the time, frequently discussing the LEPSL program and how he was implementing its practices throughout the division. This experience, which served as an introduction to the program through a LEPSL ambassador, convinced me that to become a successful leader at the Anchorage Police Department, I needed to attend a program like the MS-LEPSL at the University of San Diego. Since that conversation with the Captain, the University of San Diego LEPSL program has consistently come up in discussions about leadership development. Therefore, when it was time to choose a graduate program, I knew instantly that the University of San Diego MS-LEPSL program was the right choice.
As a patrol officer, I saw firsthand how the lessons from this program could be effectively integrated into daily policing practices. As a supervisor, I recognized the need to acquire the tools and skills necessary to bring positive change as a leader and to grow and progress within the Anchorage Police Department. The LEPSL program was the only program that offered me that opportunity. Furthermore, the fact that this program is taught by experienced law enforcement leaders and led by a director who has devoted his life to teaching in the criminal justice field and applying that experience to modern-day law enforcement was a significant selling point. With professors and Dr. Fritsvold at the helm, I felt confident there were no better people to guide aspiring leaders.
What were your concerns about starting a graduate program?
Like many students in the program, I was initially concerned about the time commitment required for a master’s program. However, I quickly discovered that the LEPSL program is designed to be manageable. The assignments are thoughtfully spaced out, allowing you to complete one task before moving on to the next rather than juggling multiple deadlines simultaneously. This was a refreshing change from my undergraduate and JD programs, where I often had to manage four different classes and multiple assignments, all due on the same day. The University of San Diego professors understand that life happens and that the students are professionals. They structure the coursework to accommodate our busy schedules as best as possible, making the learning experience rigorous and feasible.
How did the LEPSL program help you achieve your career goals?
As a police officer, I have always recognized the importance of continual learning and growth to serve my community at the highest level. Since I started attending the University of San Diego, the MS-LEPSL program has been instrumental in advancing my career goals by helping me continue to learn and grow as a police officer.
The LEPSL program’s comprehensive curriculum, which focuses on developing strong leadership abilities, has been the most valuable tool in achieving my career goals. I am gaining hands-on experience in dealing with ethics as a police leader, communication, and organizational management. These skills have been crucial in my patrol supervisor role, where I oversee daily operations and ensure our patrol unit’s safety and efficiency.
Additionally, the LEPSL program has allowed me to learn from and connect with some of the best law enforcement leaders from across the country. In my current cohort, there are police chiefs, police commanders, and fellow supervisors whom I can contact for questions or references on issues I face as a young supervisor. This network of professionals has offered diverse perspectives and insights, which have been invaluable in helping me grow as a police leader.
What advice would you share with prospective LEPSL applicants?
The advice I would share with prospective LEPSL applicants is to come in ready to learn. Yes, you may have years of experience and real-world knowledge, but I promise you, there is so much more to discover!
The great thing about this program is that while we may know theories and practices within the law enforcement world, we also learn how other agencies and departments are implementing these theories through our professors and classmates. This exchange of ideas allows us to bring valuable knowledge back to our departments. Through this program, we learn from one another and grow together. If you don’t come in with a learning mindset and instead focus solely on getting a degree or sharing what you already know, you’ll miss out on so much!
What was your favorite LEPSL course?
Best Practices in Communication: This class allows you to create a real-world Community Engagement Report for your specific agency. You can also apply different practices and approaches to organizational health and wellness programs and develop community engagement strategies for strategic planning, such as recruiting and retaining police officers. This course is truly a place to put theory into practice!
What were you balancing while participating in the LEPSL program?
Like many other students, I had to balance a lot while participating in the LEPSL program. I work full-time with the Anchorage Police Department, with a 40-hour work week as a patrol supervisor. Additionally, I run a specialty team at the department, managing 16 Crisis Negotiators and handling all CNT-related incidents, often in the middle of the night!
Outside of work, I recently graduated from law school and am studying for the bar exam in the spring. Balancing time to study for the bar and complete schoolwork for the LEPSL program has been challenging. However, the University of San Diego and the professors in the LEPSL program make it achievable. They understand that life can get hectic, and they accommodate this by thoughtfully scheduling due dates and offering flexibility for turning in projects. Assignments are spaced out, so you can focus on one task at a time without the pressure of multiple deadlines on the same day. This program provides everything you need to succeed, recognizing the demands of being a part-time student and a full-time professional. This understanding and flexibility are what makes the program so great.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
A couple of things kept me motivated throughout the LEPSL program. First and foremost, the goal of becoming a successful police leader was very important to me. I reminded myself every week that what I was learning was crucial for becoming the best version of myself. The fact that the information we were learning was applicable to my work almost every day was also tremendously helpful.
Additionally, I stayed motivated by the people and professors in my class. Seeing the effort they put into the course inspired me to perform at my best. I knew I needed to contribute meaningfully to the program and help it grow through my input and discussions. This sense of community and shared purpose was a significant motivator for me.
LEPSL Graduating Year:
2025