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MS in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership

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MS in Law Enforcement Leadership Faculty

The faculty for the Masters in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership are experienced instructor practitioners, who hold advanced degrees and possess extensive experience in law enforcement.  The diversity of experience the instructors’ possess is striking as they hold positions such as Commander in the DA office’s Bureau of Investigation, Chief of Police, Deputy District Attorney, Chief Probation Officer and US Marine Lt. Colonel.

Preview image of Erik Fritsvold, PhD
Erik Fritsvold, PhD
Academic Director, MS-LEPSL Program
Chief Timothy Albright (Ret.)
Timothy Albright, MA
Chief (Ret.), Elk Grove Police Department
Preview image of Kristine Allison, MS
Kristine Allison, MS
Chief (Ret.), Central Point Police Department
Preview image of Elisabeth Albanese, JD
Elisabeth Albanese, JD
Captain, Beverly Hills Police Department
Preview image of Jay Bishop, MS
Jay Bishop, MS
Major (Ret.), United States Marine Corps
LEPSL Instructor Tyler Blondi
Tyler Blondi, MA
Field Training Officer (Ret.), Beverly Hills Police Department
Preview image of Denton Carlson, MS
Denton Carlson, MS
Chief of Police, San Ramon Police Department
Preview image of Tom Chaplin, MS
Tom Chaplin, MS
Police Chief (Ret.), City of Walnut Creek, CA
Captain Bernie Colon, SDPD
Bernie T. Colon, MPA
Captain, San Diego Police Department
Preview image of John Cregan, MS
John Cregan, MS
Police Captain, Santa Rosa Police Department
Preview image of James R. Davis, MS
James R. Davis, MS
Chief of Police (Ret.), El Cajon Police Department
Preview image of Joseph Dulla, MA
Joseph Dulla, MA
Lieutenant, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Preview image of Ygnacio “Nash” Flores, EdD, MBA, MPS, MA
Ygnacio “Nash” Flores, EdD, MBA, MPS, MA
Professor, Administration of Justice and Homeland Security, Rio Hondo College; Lieutenant Commander (Ret.), US Navy
Preview image of Brian Goldberg, MA
Brian Goldberg, MA
Captain (Ret.), San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Adolfo Gonzales, PhD
Adolfo Gonzales, PhD
Chief Probation Officer, Los Angeles County Probation Department
Preview image of Darrin T. Grondel, EdD, MPA
Darrin T. Grondel, EdD, MPA
Vice President of Traffic Safety and Government Relations, Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
Frank Grgurina headshot
Frank Grgurina, MA
Chief of Public Safety (Ret.), City of Sunnyvale
Preview image of Jim “Jinx” Jenkins, MSSc
Jim “Jinx” Jenkins, MSSc
Founder & President, Integris Leadership
Colonel (Ret.), United States Marine Corps
Preview image of Jeffrey Jordon, MA
Jeffrey Jordon, MA
Captain, San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Benjamin Kelso, MLS, MPS
Benjamin Kelso, MLS, MPS
Commander, San Diego Police Department
Tory Kornblum LEPSL Headshot Jan 2023
Tory Kornblum, MA
Captain, Sunriver Police Department
Preview image of Mike Loarie, MS
Mike Loarie, MS
Police Captain (Ret.), Escondido Police Department
Preview image of Tarrick McGuire, DPA
Tarrick McGuire, DPA
Assistant Chief, Arlington (TX) Police Department
Greg Morgan Headshot
Gregory Morgan, MPS
Captain, Los Angeles Police Department
Gary Morrison headshot
Gary Morrison, MA
Chief of Police (Ret.), City of Carlsbad
Preview image of Maria Sarasua, MA, EdD
Maria Sarasua, MA, EdD
Chief of Police, City of Pacifica
Preview image of Dennis Nayor, MS
Dennis Nayor, MS
Chief of Police (Ret.), City of Ithaca and City of Oneonta, NY
Preview image of Dave Nisleit, MA
Dave Nisleit, MA
Chief (Ret.), San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Pat Norris, MPA
Pat Norris, MPA
Detective Sergeant, San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Matthew O’Deane, PhD
Matthew O’Deane, PhD
Commander (Ret.), San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Preview image of Todd J. Oneto, Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
Todd J. Oneto, Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
Principal, Operations Research, JDSAT
Preview image of Wendy L. Patrick, JD, PhD
Wendy L. Patrick, JD, PhD
Deputy District Attorney, San Diego County
Preview image of Jonni Redick, EdD
Jonni Redick, EdD
Assistant Chief (Ret.), California Highway Patrol
Preview image of Carmelin Rivera, MS
Carmelin Rivera, MS
Lieutenant, San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Manuel Rodriguez, MS
Manuel Rodriguez, MS
Chief of Police (Ret), National City Police Dept.
Preview image of Craig Schwartz, MA
Craig Schwartz, MA
Chief of Police, City of Pacific
Preview image of Ryan Sheehy, MBA
Ryan Sheehy, MBA
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps
Preview image of Nuno Tavares, MA
Nuno Tavares, MA
Lieutenant (Ret.), Placer County District Attorney’s Office
Preview image of Jennifer Tejada, MS
Jennifer Tejada, MS
Chief of Police (Ret.), Emeryville Police Department
Preview image of Jose Tellez, MPA
Jose Tellez, MPA
Chief of Police, National City Police Department
Taurino Valdovinos Headshot
Taurino Valdovinos, MS
Assistant Chief of Police, Oceanside Police Department
Preview image of Duane Voss, MS
Duane Voss, MS
Lieutenant (Ret.), San Diego Police Department
Preview image of Steven Weiss, MS
Steven Weiss, MS
Lieutenant (Ret.), New York City Police Department
Preview image of Mickey Williams, JD, MPA
Mickey Williams, JD, MPA
Chief (Ret.), Carlsbad Police Department
Preview image of Mark Yokoyama, MS
Mark Yokoyama, MS
City Manager (Ret.), City of Alhambra
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Success stories

What a fantastic program and instructors. I learned a lot about leadership and shared it all in the academy with the newly hired deputy sheriffs. This program is second to none, and very the courses/assignments made me think outside of the box.

I have to say in my 24-year law enforcement career, this experience ranks up there with the FBI National Academy as one of the most rewarding and insightful ones of my career and life. The program learning outcomes of LEPSL have equipped me with the tools needed to advance, not only in my career but also in my personal life. The program critically addresses the challenges arguably facing law enforcement in modern times, it covers the inward examination of the organizations, and conflict resolution to name a few. It is highly recommended for ALL law enforcement leaders, both present and aspiring ones, who care about the profession and are committed to the improvements needed as we face today’s challenges, and diligently focus on rebuilding relationships and trust with the public we swore to protect!

I have been involved with two Master Level programs in the past five years. This program is by far the best program I have seen. The Professors and staff truly care about you and your learning experience. If you are looking for a great program look no further, you’ve found the best.

For those who say they don’t have the time or ability to continue their education, I wholeheartedly disagree with them. The LEPSL degree is not only manageable, but its applicability to real-world career dynamics has also already paid me dividends! The interaction with top-notch professors and students alike adds to the value this program delivers. I am so glad I took the leap to pursue my master’s degree and believe the same is true for anyone that puts forth the effort!

There is a huge focus on relevant and timely issues that are affecting law enforcement today, and that really differentiates this program from many other criminal justice programs. I also like that the class is mostly composed of high-ranking law enforcement officials. Their feedback in the course is just exceptional. The stuff that you can get from their experience is tremendous – you don’t get that in normal classes.

The LEPSL program at USD is both challenging and rewarding. I started the program at the end of my law enforcement career and couldn’t be happier about the decision. I love the interaction with fellow students throughout the country and enjoy the feedback provided to me. I find the coursework challenging, contemporary, and interesting. I highly recommend the program.

As a past President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), I first became aware of LEPSL during our annual conference in Los Angeles, CA. Having been enrolled in other graduate-level programs, I was immediately impressed with LEPSL’s progressive and relevant curriculum. I’m currently only a few courses away from graduation and wish I would have known about this program years ago. As a career 35-year law enforcement leader, with both local and federal government experience, I unequivocally endorse this program for aspiring law enforcement leaders.

When I completed POST Command College, I was motivated to further my education. After researching a variety of master’s programs, I learned that the University of San Diego offers graduate level credit for Command College coursework that was transferable to the MS-LEPSL program. I definitely recommend this program to those who are desirous to promote. Managing a contemporary police agency is a complex, demanding profession that requires a motivated and educated individual. The MS-LEPSL program prepares you for these challenges and responsibilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the LEPSL program. While there are other Master’s degree programs out there, I believe the LEPSL program is the most applicable to a career in law enforcement. Everything I learned has been very practical and relevant to my career goals. The online format is very flexible, I was able to do my schoolwork on my own time and at any time of the day (or night!). I highly recommend this program to anyone wishing to improve their leadership capabilities and advance their careers.

I am convinced that the skills amassed throughout the program were largely responsible for my appointment to Chief of Police. From all-inclusive budgeting practices to reformist community engagement ideologies, I have successfully applied those principles toward the transformation of an agency starved for change.