Where do you call home?   

I currently live in Brunswick, GA, but where I truly call home is Charleston, SC. That’s where I was born and raised. But by next summer I will have relocated to Columbia.  

When did you first become interested in a law enforcement career?   

When I was 8 or 9 years old. I used to watch Miami Vice, Hunter, and Hawaii 5-0. Watching so many cops shows as a kid made me think it might be something I want to do. Later I thought I wanted to join the FBI.  

Is there anything you’ve learned – either in the class or outside it – that has changed your perception of law or justice?  

I think having a better understanding of dealing with folks during a mental health crisis. There is a gap in education on how to better serve folks in a mental health situation. As officers, there is a legal and ethical obligation. And on the public service side, we know that jail is not going to better serve them.  

Tell me about a challenge you overcame in your career?  

Being an instructor, because I am an introvert . I love the material, but having 24 students looking at you in a room is different. That was one of my biggest hurdles, getting over my anxiety. And then learning how to teach my students – how to adjust because each class has different learning styles. They may need different things from me. And then also trying to establish a rapport with them. The biggest thing for me at first was understanding the value of trust between the teacher and student. 

What positions have you held in law enforcement?  

I was a patrol officer with the Charleston Police department, a narcotics detective, an intelligence investigator, and a community outreach officer. I was also a defensive tactics instructor within the state of South Carolina, and then on the federal level at Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers. I was also an instructor that trained other instructors in the Land Transportation ffice. I also taught in the instructor certification program, so I traveled around and taught other federal, state and local officer instructor programs and certified them.  

As a law enforcement officer, why did you decide to pursue a doctorate in education?  

I thought about what I would do when my career in law enforcement ends. I wanted to have a plan, and leadership was always something that interested me because I have been on both sides. I have been the benefactor of good leadership – great leadership – and I have had to suffer through poor leadership. So that sparked my interest in that, and I was always fascinated with how you get people to give you their best.  

What do you think people need to know about the law school’s EPPS and Master’s in Public Safety Executive Leadership programs?   

The main priority is that we are trying to help benefit law enforcement leadership in the state of South Carolina. It’s homegrown, and the main goal is to take care of the state.

Who do you see benefiting most from this program?  

I see our citizens benefiting. I see our communities benefiting. If you have strong leadership, and you have leadership that’s able to get their message down to their line officers and it’s able to be consistent throughout the agencies, then I think your community is going to benefit. You won’t find a chief that doesn’t care what happens, good or bad, but sometimes there’s a disconnect between the message that goes from top to bottom. If we could help bridge that gap or figure out where it is, I think we have a chance to change the culture of law enforcement in South Carolina.   

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you?  

I have been doing Brazilian Jujitsu for 14 years and have my black belt. I also have two kids, ages 11 and 8, and a Chinese Shar-Pei dog named Pretzels.