Raymond Garcia began his law enforcement career in 2003, while employed by a Southern California Probation Department. In 2006, Raymond left the juvenile corrections field and has since been employed as a school resource officer with the Compton Unified School District, where he currently holds the rank of Corporal.
Raymond has instructor certifications in basic firearms, patrol rifles, submachine guns, less lethal weapons, arrest and control, ballistic shields, diversionary devices, use of force train-the-trainer, crisis intervention behavioral health and racial profiling. Raymond has worked assignments as a patrol officer, campus resource officer, training manager, field training officer, firearms instructor, mental evaluation team officer, and collateral swat team member.
Additionally, Raymond works as an Assistant Range Master for a local regional police academy and as a firearms instructor for another local reserve police academy. He is a Marine Corps veteran and part-owner of a private company that puts on a variety of courses in law enforcement and firearms training. Raymond obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute & University and his Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
What motivated you to be a LEPSL ambassador?
I believe in the school’s program and I think that potential students would benefit from being a part of this community.
Why did you choose the LEPSL program? What made LEPSL stand out in comparison to other schools/programs?
The courses were relevant and taught by local law enforcement personnel.
What were your concerns about starting a graduate program?
Finances
How did the LEPSL program help you achieve your career goals?
This program helped me to stand out among my peers and provided me with the tools to become an effective leader.
What advice would you share with prospective LEPSL applicants?
My best piece of advice would be to enroll in the program and knock it out one class a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself.
What were you balancing while participating in the LEPSL program?
I had just lateraled from one police department to another while concluding my program.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
I knocked out the courses one at a time without trying to overwhelm myself with time restraints.
LEPSL Graduating Class:
2017