Tell us about yourself

I am a US-based policing scholar-practitioner dedicated to reducing harm and amplifying the voices of those who are vulnerable. After serving four years in the US Marine Corps, I transitioned into law enforcement, bringing 12 years of frontline experience as a police sergeant and crisis-negotiation supervisor. I have designed community-engagement initiatives that strengthened trust with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) residents and frontline police officers in the field.

I earned an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, where my action-research dissertation explored how officer-community dialogue can reshape perceptions of fairness and safety. I now teach courses on hate crimes, effective communication skills in criminal justice, and juvenile justice at various universities in the United States, guiding more than 200 students annually to translate evidence into practice.

My developing scholarship focuses on procedural justice, racialized vulnerability, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in public safety. I serve on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Human and Civil Rights Committee and am a Fellow at the Future Policing Institute. As a social justice trainer and consultant with Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, I help school administrators, police agencies, and organizations identify hate and toxic speech and learn how to prevent it.

Why did you want to become a Research Affiliate?

I wanted to join the Centre because my teaching mission aligns with its goal of reducing harm among vulnerable groups. Each year, I instruct over 200 undergraduates in courses that combine empirical research with community projects. Students analyse policing data, create educational materials, and consider ethical practices. Affiliation allows me to incorporate the Centre’s latest UK findings directly into these classes and to engage with its researchers, expanding the reach of evidence-based approaches across both sides of the Atlantic.

How does your research connect to the Centre’s mission and values?

The Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre’s mission reflects my professional purpose: turning rigorous research into practical strategies to protect vulnerable groups and reshape police culture. I have 12 years of law enforcement experience, including crisis negotiation leadership and community engagement programs that enhanced trust between officers and BIPOC residents. My EdD in Organizational Leadership developed an action research framework that converts findings into measurable improvements, a skill I’ve applied through funded projects and training programs. Connecting with the Centre allows me to bring frontline insights to comparative studies while applying UK evidence to U.S. practices. Joining this multidisciplinary community aligns with my dedication to reducing harm, amplifying vulnerable voices, and reimagining policing futures across borders.