City of Watauga, TX

Administrative Police Lieutenant and Public Information Officer | City of Watauga Police Department

August 6, 2019 – Present

Division Supervision

• Comprehensive Division Leadership: Supervised every division within the Police Department, encompassing both civilian and sworn roles.

• Current Assignments: Oversight of Criminal Investigations, Police Records, Grant Writing, Professional Standards, Training, Mental Health Liaison, Crime Victim's Liaison, Property, Environmental Services, Code Enforcement, and Animal Services.

• Senior Leadership Role: Serve as the senior Administrative Lieutenant, often in charge as the highest-ranking police official on duty, responsible for critical decision-making and oversight.

• Past Supervisory Roles: Supervised Patrol, Traffic and Motors, K9, SWAT, and Bike Patrol as the Operations Lieutenant, ensuring comprehensive operational oversight across these specialized units.

Incident Command

• High-Stakes Incident Command: Served as the Incident Commander for numerous life-and-death police emergencies, utilizing a wide range of police resources to protect the general public, resolve crises, and maintain trust in the department.

• Major Police Operation: Led a significant police operation involving nearly 100 law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies, coordinating SWAT teams, drones, K9 units, and other specialized resources, following an incident where a police officer was shot and another was struck by a vehicle. The operation ensured public safety and culminated in the successful resolution of the complex situation. 

• Hostage Standoff & Shootout: Commanded a high-risk hostage situation, negotiating the safe release of the hostage and managing a subsequent shootout, resulting in the suspect’s capture and preservation of public safety.

• Suicidal Bomb Threat Standoff: Oversaw a prolonged standoff involving a suicidal individual claiming to have a bomb, coordinating multi-agency efforts that included SWAT, snipers, negotiators, and a BOMB Team, ensuring no injuries to innocent bystanders.

Public Relations & Crisis Communication

• Crisis Communication: Managed communications during critical incidents, such as an anti-LGBT+ hate group situation that led to national outrage, coordinating with internal and external agencies to ensure public safety and trust.

• Public Information Officer: Served as the PIO, crafting and delivering strategic messaging, maintaining relationships with the media, and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders during major incidents.

• Social Media Strategy & Engagement: Spearheaded social media initiatives, engaging the community on public safety issues, managing the department's public image during crises, and responding to public inquiries.

Policy Development & Legislative Affairs

• Policy Revision & Development: Played a significant role in revising the department's 880-page policy manual, creating new policies for areas such as Animal Services, Code Enforcement, and Drone Operations.

• City Ordinance Revisions: Participated in revising city ordinances, including those involving dangerous dogs and animal-related issues, ensuring alignment with state regulations and public safety needs.

Grant Writing & Administration

• Grant Oversight: Supervised the Grant Writer position, securing funding for various departmental needs, including a $77,000 grant for High Visibility DWI Enforcement and a $50,000 grant for ballistic shields, enhancing public safety and operational effectiveness. 

• Grant Application Leadership: Led the research and application process for a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice under the 2020 COPS Hiring Program.

Community Engagement

• School Resource Division and Educational Institution Oversight: Oversees the School Resource Division, regularly visiting schools to build strong relationships with staff and ensure student safety. Acted as the liaison to a major Independent School District (ISD), planning and preparing for major incidents such as Active Shooter situations.

• Public Event Coordination & Security: Coordinated and oversaw security for large public events, ensuring seamless execution and public safety.

Budget Oversight & Resource Management

• Budget Management:  Oversaw the budgeting processes for multiple divisions, including Environmental Services, Code Enforcement, Criminal Investigations, and Training. 

• Resource Allocation & Procurement:  Managed resource allocation, procurement processes, and vendor coordination to ensure departmental readiness, aligning financial planning with strategic goals. 

Hiring & Recruiting

• Staffing Management: Played a key role in hiring and recruiting, participating in promotional boards and overseeing the selection of qualified candidates for various positions, including sworn officers and civilian roles, to ensure the department's staffing needs were met with highly capable personnel. 

Police Sergeant | City of Watauga Police Department

November 26, 2016 – August 5, 2019

Leadership & Operations

• Patrol Shift Leadership: Led a patrol shift responsible for responding to all emergency calls, including crimes in progress, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, and natural disasters.

• Community-Focused Policies: Developed and implemented community-focused policies to enhance public safety and community relations.

• Incident Review & Oversight: Reviewed Use of Force incidents and Citizen complaints, ensuring thorough investigations and appropriate actions were taken to maintain accountability and transparency within the department. 

• Incident Command: Served as Incident Commander during major incidents, such as homicides, hostage situations, and officer-involved shootings.

• Hiring Board Leadership: Played a key role in hiring and promotional boards, ensuring the selection of qualified candidates for various positions within the department.

Training & Instruction 

• Advanced Instructor: Crafted and taught courses in Patrol Procedures, Legislative Updates, and CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Security, contributing to the professional development and operational effectiveness of the department. 

Environmental Services Sergeant

• Integration of Code Enforcement: Appointed as the first Environmental Services Sergeant, overseeing the integration of Code Enforcement under the Police Department. Developed new policies, training strategies, and operational procedures.

• Brand Reputation Management: Successfully rehabilitated the image of the Code Enforcement Division and the Animal Shelter, leading to significant improvements in reputation and customer satisfaction.

• Public Communication: Worked closely with City Council to address citizen concerns regarding animal control and code enforcement, creating presentations and public communication strategies.

• Environmental Compliance Actions: Led enforcement actions and citizen educational efforts regarding proper wastewater management, stormwater management, and other environmental compliance issues.

Animal Services & Community Engagement

• Animal Welfare Advocacy: Led efforts to market adoptable animals through social media and off-site adoption events, significantly improving community engagement and adoption rates.

• Adoption Promotions: Promoted monthly adoption specials and participated in Pet of the Week promotions, helping to increase visibility and adoptions.

Police Officer | City of Watauga Police Department

May 6, 2005 – November 25, 2016

First Responder Duties

• Emergency Response: Responded to a wide range of emergencies, including crimes in progress, traffic crashes, medical emergencies, and natural disasters. Conducted investigations into various criminal activities such as death investigations, fraud, burglaries, and child abuse cases.

Crime Investigation and Report Writing

• Investigative Response: Conducted thorough investigations by interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and interrogating suspects, leading to successful prosecutions.

• Courtroom Testimony: Provided courtroom testimony in various cases, contributing to the successful prosecution of cases.

Community Policing & Engagement

• School Resource Officer: Regularly filled in as a School Resource Officer, fostering positive communication with students, educators, and staff, and ensuring campus security.

• Leadership in Police Officers Association: Served as Vice President and President of the Watauga Police Officers Association (WPOA), building strong relationships with City Council Members, citizens, and business owners, leading to increased support for the Police Department. 

Field Training Officer & Instructor

• Mentorship & Training: Served as a Field Training Officer, mentoring new officers and ensuring they adhered to departmental standards, contributing to the professional development of the department’s staff.

Animal Control Officer | City of Watauga Police Department

January 20, 2004 – May 5, 2005

Animal Welfare & Public Safety

• Response & Enforcement: Responded to calls for service regarding loose, injured, or dangerous domestic and wild animals, conducted investigations into cases of animal cruelty, and managed quarantine and rabies control operations.

Public Education & Community Outreach

• Citizen Education: Provided education to citizens on proper animal care techniques, wildlife safety, and local animal-related ordinances. Developed educational materials and led public information sessions at community events.

Animal Shelter Proposal

• Proposal Development: Initiated and developed a comprehensive proposal for the construction of Watauga’s first Animal Shelter, addressing the city's growing need for a dedicated facility.

Education & Professional Training

• Police Academy Graduate (Valedictorian), Weatherford Police Academy, TX

• Total Training Hours: 5,734 hours • 

Licenses Earned

• Peace Officer License, May 6, 2005 

• Basic Peace Officer Certificate, August 5, 2008

• Basic Instructor Proficiency Certificate, May 12, 2009

• Intermediate Peace Officer Certificate, September 22, 2010

• Advanced Peace Officer Certificate, August 22, 2012

• Master Peace Officer Certificate, May 25, 2017

• Advanced Instructor Proficiency Certificate, May 25, 2021