That's why they call it criminal justice

I am a former police officer, criminal justice professor, editor of two national police websites, regional training coordinator for a state criminal justice agency, and a medical assistant and IT manager for a sole-practitioner psychiatrist. When I was a cop, I believed I would retire or die in that job. 

Man plans, God laughs.

For the last 15 years (as of 2026), I have been writing almost exclusively for Police1, a commercial website for law enforcement officers, and the only one of the top three where I haven’t been the editor. This website serves as a platform for my work that was not appropriate for Police1, or that has appeared elsewhere and disappeared into the void of the internet or failed paper magazines. Additionally, I have written over 21,000 answers for questions posted on Quora, a Q&A website.

I hold a bachelor of arts degree in biological science from San José State University, a master of science degree in criminal justice from The University of Alabama, the Certified Protection Professional certificate from ASIS International, and the Certified Law Enforcement Trainer certificate from the now-defunct American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers. From my cop days, I have basic, intermediate, and advanced certificates for Category I police officers from the Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. I have a stack of other training certificates in topics ranging from gang investigations to sexual exploitation of children, reflecting my commitment to justice reform within the legal system.

I am originally from Salinas, California, but have lived and/or worked in Nevada, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Georgia, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington.

I live in southeast Washington state with my friendly (once you have been introduced—intruders take their chances) German shepherd Harlee.