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 is for posting 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. I have also 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.

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.