Law enforcement is my passion. The men and women who dedicate themselves to community safety, security, and problem solving. Whether police wear too many hats or not enough, we all need someone we can count on when questions inevitably arise. I want to be that someone. I started LETC because I have a special set of skills in research analysis, law enforcement, and criminal law dedicated to keeping you one step ahead.
My road to law enforcement started in Clearwater County, Idaho, after I responded to a recruitment drive for a seasonal marine deputy with Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office. I was diligently working on my Ph.D. in Political Science, emphasizing Criminal Justice. My interest in the position arose out of my research on rural policing. I accepted the position as a way to inform my teaching and research. I took my research skills with me to my new position. One the first orders of business was a department assessment. We reviewed of the effectiveness of the department as determined by longitudinal crime stats, and the community. The results helped foster a new era of policing at Clearwater County, redefining stakeholders, and outreach.
After two summers on the water, I accepted a full time position as a patrol deputy. My tenure included supervision, field training supervisor, K9, and SWAT. I developed a robust reserve program, and encouraged community engagement.
I spent 12 amazing years with the Sheriff’s Office, a privilege that provided me a broad area of experience in Law Enforcement, Community Engagement, Training, and Mentorship. I was involved in training nearly every deputy who worked for the department during my career, teaching trainees how to think like cops but practice like lawyers, considering the options and taking the cautious approach where practical, without putting others at risk. I placed a significant emphasis on the priority of life.
I continued my career in the law as a prosecuting attorney, the next logical iteration in my ca. Following graduation from law school, I served as a Tribal Prosecutor, a Special Assistant US Attorney, and a Deputy Felony Prosecutor.
In addition to my Juris Doctor University of Idaho in 2014, I have Bachelors of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Washington State University. I instructed undergraduate classes and worked as the academic advisor for the Criminal Justice Undergraduate program. Additionally, she served as an adjunct professor at Concordia Law and of Criminal Justice at University of Idaho, teaching introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Organizations, and Comparative Criminal Justice classes.
After an amazing career in law enforcement, I narrowed my passions – teaching and legal research. Then I found Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training, a company dedicated to cutting edge and professional law enforcement training. LETC, LLC was born out of the opportunity to combine my passions and contract with Blue to Gold, providing legal education to law enforcement. My focus at Blue to Gold is search and seizure. I meet and chat with law enforcement all over the county, giving me the opportunity to discuss challenges and strategies to address community relations.
Experience
2019 to Present – Law Enforcement Instructor – Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training; Owner/Operator of Law Enforcement Training & Consulting, LLC.
2018 to 2019 – Assistant Director of Career Services and Legacy Mentor Program – Concordia University School of Law, Boise, ID
2015 to 2018 – Deputy Prosecutor, Felony Division – Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office, Lewiston, ID
2014 to 2016 – Special Assistant U.S. Attorney – U.S. Attorney General, District of Idaho
2014 to 2015 – Deputy/Interim Chief Prosecutor – Nez Perce Tribal Prosecutor’s Office, Lapwai, ID
2000 to 2011 – Patrol Sergeant – Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Orofino, ID
Education
University of Idaho College of Law – Moscow, ID
Juris Doctor, 2014
D. Craig Lewis Mock Trial Team, Captain
Washington State University – Pullman, WA
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, 1999
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 1997
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, 1995
Presentations and Papers
“Lost in the Maze: Mapping Solutions to Gaps in Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country” Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Juris Doctor at the University of Idaho School of Law, 2014
“Explaining Criminal Behavior with Routine Activities Theory: A Test and Extension” Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Criminal Justice at Washington State University. 1999
“Two Paths in the Theoretical Woods: Macro- and Micro-Level developments in Routine Activities Theory” Paper presented at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Conference, Orlando FL, 1999
“Cow Tipping, Combine Races, and other Rural Crimes: The Utility of Routine Activities Theory in Explaining Rural Victimization. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Toronto, B.C., 1999
“Moving Beyond Descriptive Analysis: Using GIS to Explain Pattern and Trend” Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2000
Citizen Participation with the Police-A Comparative Perspective: Japan and the United States Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2000
Professional Associations
- Idaho State Bar Association, Member, 2014 – Present
- Idaho State Bar Association, Indian Law Section Member, 2014 – 2017
- American Bar Association, Member, 2014 – Present
- United States District and Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho Member, 2014 – Present
- Idaho State Bar Association, Second District President, 2016 – 2017
- Idaho State Bar Association, Second District Vice President, 2015 – 2016