Chief Brian Baker joined the Yuba City Police Department as a cadet officer in May 1994. After attending the Yuba College Police Academy, Chief Baker became a level II reserve officer and shortly thereafter completed the department’s field training program. He was a level I reserve officer for a short period of time and became a fulltime officer in March 1999. While a patrol officer Chief Baker was a background investigator, and the department’s cadet program coordinator. Brian was named Officer of the Year in 2001.
In 2002 Chief Baker was assigned to the Investigations Unit as a detective until December 2005, when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While a Sergeant Brian worked patrol, traffic, and investigations. In July 2016 Brian was promoted to Lieutenant where he served as a watch commander and as the department’s training manager, along with various other duties. Brian was promoted to Commander in June 2019. Brian was appointed Chief of Police in September 2021.
Chief Baker possesses an Associate in Science degree from Yuba Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Brian also possesses a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. Chief Baker has completed the FBI National Academy, the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Program, along with the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the POST Executive Development Course. Brian has received Executive Level Certification from California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. During his employ with the police department, Brian has received numerous awards and commendations from both the department and members of the community.
Mike Boward has over 28 years of law enforcement experience, including over 24 years at his current agency in Fort Collins, Colorado. He is a Sergeant assigned to the Fort Collins Police Personnel and Training Unit. Previously he served as a Patrol Sergeant and a Training Officer in the Personnel and Training Unit where he coordinated recruiting, police officer hiring and background investigations. Boward served as a Criminal Investigations Detective for over six years prior and was a Field Training Officer. Boward has taught numerous courses locally and around the nation, including Recruiting and Hiring Strategies, Robbery Investigations, Auto Theft, and Criminal Interdiction. He is a Lead Skills instructor in police driving and is the Fort Collins Police Academy supervisor. Boward earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Andrews University.
Kristin Brayman has over 19 years in law enforcement. She has been with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office for her entire law enforcement career. Kristin completed her patrol time in the southern end of the San Diego County at Imperial Beach. She then went on to become a Recruiter and Background Investigator where she served as a Detective. From there she transferred to the Sexual Assault Unit as a Detective and then was selected as a Homicide Detective. From the Homicide Unit, Kristin promoted to the rank of Sergeant and went back to patrol in the City of Santee. Upon completion of patrol, Kristin transferred to Division of Inspectional Services (DIS) and then went to North Coastal Patrol as the Administrative/Training Sergeant for that station.
Kristin was a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) as well as the Sherif's Honor Guard. She has been a member of Peer Support for over 15 years where she now uses her experience to oversee the newly established Wellness Unit for the San Diego County Sheriff's Office as the Sergeant of the unit.
Prior to her law enforcement career, Kristin was an active-duty Naval Officer, and she retired as a Reserve Naval Officer after completing 21 years of military service. Kristin has earned a Bachelor of Art Degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science from National University. She currently teaches Officer Wellness to recruits at the Regional Law Enforcement Academy in San Diego.
Lt. Mike Crawford,BSCJ, MA,currently serves as the Recruiter for the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Office at the Parish Prison in 1998 and has worked in various units including D.A.R.E., Public Information Officer, Training, and as the Purchasing Director, where he oversaw all assets, public bids, and procurements and was awarded “Supervisor of the Year- Civil Division”. Under the tenure of Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, III, Crawford also served as the Chief of Operations, where he supervised, Criminal Records, Computer Operations, Uniform and Equipment, Construction Services, Fleet Operations, and Radio Services.
Lt. Crawford attended Southern University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Arts in Homeland Security (Security Studies) from the Naval Postgraduate Schools’, “Center for Homeland Defense and Security”. Prior to working for the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Crawford served (6) six years in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded “Marine of the Year” in 1999. He is certified as a FBI Crisis Negotiator, Louisiana P.O.S.T. Instructor, and a Southern Law Enforcement Foundation - Peer Support Member.
While maintaining a busy regime, Crawford is the Lead Diversity Instructor for the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Chief’s Academy, a consultant to many Public Safety agencies on the subject of “Diversity and Inclusion”, and is a public speaker. He has attended countless professional schools, with his most recent achievement being a Cohort Graduate of the Baton Rouge Business Report’s, Leadership Academy-2023 Spring Cohort.
Having served as the Honor Guard Commander for many years, Crawford has assisted several fallen families throughout his career. With a fervent desire to help others, Crawford acts a liaison with several non-profit organizations that assist citizens and their families in East Baton Rouge Parish. He does this all while being the Musical Director at his church, a published author, (“9-1-1…What’s Your Diversity?”), a husband, and the proud father of two beautiful adult daughters.
Chief George Crum began his law enforcement career as a police officer in 1987 when he joined the Fullerton, California Police Department. He was promoted to Corporal in 1996, Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2008 and Captain in 2012. In 2014, he became Chief of Police for the Cathedral City, California Police Department until his retirement in 2017. In 2020 he left retirement and returned to Cathedral City Police Department as their Police Chief. During his 35-year law enforcement career, he has held several positions, which included assignments in the Patrol Bureau, Traffic Bureau, Narcotics Unit, Crime Impact Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau and SWAT. He was a SWAT Operator, Team-Leader and Commander for a six jurisdictional SWAT Team.
Chief Crum holds an AA degree in Police Science from Fullerton College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University Fullerton and a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. Chief Crum possesses his P.O.S.T. Executive Certificate, which was issued by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training, and he is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.
Chief Crum has held Adjunct Faculty positions at Fullerton College, College of the Desert and University of Phoenix from 1996 through present, and he has taught a multitude of courses to future law enforcement professionals.
Susan Cutroni is an experienced leader in health promotion, well-being, and program management. Currently, she serves as the Section Manager for the Well-Being Program at the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, where she leads all aspects of program
Susan Cutroni is an experienced leader in health promotion, well-being, and program management. Currently, she serves as the Section Manager for the Well-Being Program at the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, where she leads all aspects of program operations. In this role, Susan is responsible for staffing, training, and coaching employees while ensuring the well-being initiatives are tailored to meet the needs of the employee population.
Susan developed a new program that expanded mental health resources and education, complementing the existing physical wellness offerings. She has coordinated training for over 4,000 employees on topics such as PTSD and suicide prevention, ensuring compliance with Florida state statutes. Her work includes designing effective communication procedures for providing support to employees during Grievous Incidents and establishing an inclusive Peer Support Program for First Responders.
She holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness, a Master of Science in Information Technology, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration and Technologies. Additionally, Susan is a Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) and holds certification in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), as well as other certifications.
Susan’s career has been defined by her dedication to promoting health and wellness, her ability to develop and lead programs, and her expertise in both educational and organizational settings. Her work has had a lasting impact on the well-being of employees and students alike.
Noelle Davis is a relationship coach and resilience trainer, and the contracted Mindfulness and Resilience training curriculum developer and instructor for the Austin Police Training Academy. Over the past 3 1/2 years Noelle has worked collaboratively with Training Academy Staff to develop nine iterations of programming that is providing a basis for training on emotional intelligence and self-regulation for Cadets and in-service Field Training Officers.
Noelle is grateful for having received mentoring from other mindfulness and resilience trainers who are active duty and retired Officers and other 1st Responders in how to customize her lessons to make them relatable and relevant for Cadets and Officers.
For the past eight years in her private coaching practice, Noelle has been honored to be a compassionate and insightful guide to hundreds of brave humans who courageously transformed their despair into resilience and their heartache into a since of wholeness.
Captain Jerry Drum began his law enforcement career in 1996 as a Reserve Deputy with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon City, Oregon. Captain Drum has served the Albany Oregon Police Department since 1998. Captain Drum is responsible for the support services division. He has served as a patrol officer, traffic crash reconstructionist, detective, and been a supervisor in patrol, detectives, the community resource unit, and narcotics. Captain Drum is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds executive level certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. He currently serves as a board member for the Oregon Peace Officers Association (OPOA), is a board member of HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), and President of the Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Association (ONEA).
Captain Drum is passionate about his personal growth and wellness. He has been a large contributor to our growing health and wellness program and the overall wellness of the law enforcement community.
Brienz Edwards is the Field Training/Community Connect Program Supervisor at the Austin Police Training Academy. She designs and leads the cadet community engagement programing, coordinates the Austin Police Department Field Training Program, and supervises the cadet Mindfulness and Resilience training.
Brienz founded an employee-led wellness group within the department and assists with Austin Police Jiu-Jitsu. She is currently pursing dual master’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies and, in 2024, was awarded an International Association of Chiefs of Police Community Trust Initiative Fellowship,
Anjana Freeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (CPCS) and a Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (CPCS) specializing in trauma, dynamics of violence, resilience and post-traumatic growth. In the spring of 2020, Anjana was hired to create a pilot program in the Gainesville Police Department as the Police Mental Health Clinician. This program meets the needs of individuals in Gainesville City and Hall County who have mental health related incidents that involve law enforcement. The program expands as community needs become apparent and Anjana is excited to be a part of this innovative evolution in Law Enforcement. Since that time, Anjana has had the privilege of working alongside Brenau University in Gainesville to create a six semester Police Mental Health Collaborative (PMHC) certificate for clinicians who want to learn how to develop and run co-responder programs throughout the nation.
Additionally, Anjana has taught Psychology at the graduate level since 2009. She is a Certified Forensic Interviewer serving children throughout Hall and Dawson counties and a P.O.S.T. certified instructor. Above all else, Anjana holds the position of “mom” to four amazing sons.
Marvin "Ben" Haiman
Executive Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice
Marvin "Ben" Haiman Executive Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice
University of Virginia
Mr. Marvin "Ben" Haiman is the Executive Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia and a Visiting Fellow at Rutgers University. A respected leader in public safety, Mr. Haiman consults nationally and internationally on law enforcement policy, recruitment, training, and technology. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C., overseeing key units, including Communications, General Counsel, Equity and People, and Professional Development. He led the MPD's Professional Development Bureau from 2017 to 2021, where he advanced recruiting, training, testing, and HR operations, following several roles related to technology and policy.
Mr. Haiman’s extensive background also includes directing the Homeland Security Advisory Council at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he developed critical task forces on national security issues. He holds a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University, bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa, along with additional certifications in strategic management and public administration. He is a graduate of the Metropolitan Police Academy in Washington DC. Recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a 40 Under 40 honoree, Mr. Haiman has also earned the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award from the Police Executive Research Forum. He resides in Washington, D.C., with his family and serves as a reserve officer with the MPD.
Sergeant Monique Hill, a Georgia native, graduated from Georgia State University in July 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She joined the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department in 2017, where she has dedicated seven years of exemplary service. Throughout her tenure, Sergeant Hill has made significant contributions to the department, currently serving as the Training Coordinator, Community Outreach Liaison, and Commander of the Crisis Negotiation Team.
Sergeant Hill has led numerous initiatives aimed at strengthening community relations and enhancing public safety. Her efforts in community outreach have forged stronger partnerships between MARTA and local organizations, resulting in a safer and more connected community. A committed servant leader, Sergeant Hill is deeply passionate about supporting and uplifting those around her.
On July 1, 2022, Rex R. Ingram was appointed as the 36th Chief of the Caldwell Police Department.
Chief Ingram comes to the City of Caldwell from the Los Angeles Police Department where he proudly served his community for nearly 17 years. Most recently, Chief Ingram served as a Lieutenant Watch Commander where he proudly worked in several different areas of Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley, Koreatown, and Hollywood. As a supervisor during his time with the LAPD, he held various operational, administrative, training, and command positions, including patrol sergeant, parole compliance unit OIC, Vice unit OIC, Bureau training coordinator, assistant watch commander, and human trafficking task force commander. In addition, Chief Ingram enjoyed spending his weekends overseeing public safety for events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, including NFL and NCAA games, concerts, and other sporting events.
Chief Ingram began his career as a patrol officer in South Central Los Angeles and later as a Youth Service Officer where he developed a passion for gang reduction and youth development. He was then selected by the Director of the Office of Operations to serve on a citywide specialized task force to prioritize reducing the most violent crime in Los Angeles. Chief Ingram was then recruited to work a gang enforcement detail, where he quickly set himself apart as a leading expert in criminal street and prison gangs. Later, he was appointed to work as an undercover investigator and training officer in the elite Hollywood Vice Unit. Additionally, Chief Ingram was asked by the Chief of Professional Standards Bureau to serve as the adjutant to the Commanding Officer, where he was credited for co-authoring the Departments “Green Book,” a well-respected and nationally accepted guide for supervisors to conduct complaint investigations.
Chief Ingram was born in Los Angeles, California, as the middle child of four children, to a father of Latin descent, and a mother of Egyptian descent. He comes from a family with a long history of public service and is a fifth-generation law enforcement officer. After his birth, he spent five years of his life in Baja California, Mexico, where he became fluent in Spanish, until moving back to the Los Angeles area. Chief Ingram began his public safety career as a law enforcement Explorer, serving with the California Highway Patrol as a teenager and young adult. Throughout his career, Chief Ingram has prioritized community involvement, safety, and public instruction. He has a distinguished instructional background in active shooter response training, critical incident management, and leadership.
Chief Ingram is passionate about active community collaboration and has been appointed to serve on several notable executive boards. He is an active member of Idaho Chiefs' of Police Association (ICOPA), where he serves as the 2023/2024 Vice President and will be the 2024/2025 President of the Association. Chief Ingram was also selected by the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and appointed to as a Traffic Safety Commissioner on the Idaho Traffic Safety Commission for the Great State of Idaho. Additionally, Chief Ingram proudly serves on the Boys and Girls Club of Canyon County Executive Board, the Idaho Youth Ranch Board Advancement Committee, the Saint Alphonsus Foundation Board, and the West Valley Medical Center Executive Board of Trustees, the City-County Narcotics Unit (CCNU) Executive Board of Directors, on the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Taskforce Executive Board of Directors, and the Canyon County 911 Executive Board of Directors.
Chief Ingram graduated from Union Institute and University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management. He has attended the prestigious USC Executive Leadership Program and has graduated from the Pepperdine School of Law - Dispute Resolution Course for law enforcement managers. Chief Ingram has attended and graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) in Boston, Massachusettes, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Command College in West Yellowstone, Montana. Additionally, Chief Ingram has attended and graduated from the FBI-Leeda Supervisory Leadership Institute, the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Point Leadership Program, the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the California POST Management course.
Chief Ingram is a member of many professional organizations and associations, inlcuding the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum, the Latin American Law Enforcement Association (LALEY), the Western States Sheriff's Association (WSSA) and the Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation (OJB).
Most importantly, Chief Ingram enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two sets of twins and loves to take advantage of all the things that the great State of Idaho has to offer – cycling, mountain biking, golfing, snowboarding, hiking, camping and water sports. You can follow Chief Ingram on Instagram @CPDIngram
Lieutenant Alex Johnson has served the Albany Police Department since 2006. Lieutenant Johnson is currently assigned to the Patrol Division. During his career he has served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, Cadet Program Advisor, SWAT Operator, Narcotics Detective, DEA Task Force Agent, Field Training Officer, Use of Force Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Peer Support team member. Lieutenant Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon and a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Lieutenant Johnson has devoted much of his career to the development of programs that promote the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness of his fellow employees.
Melinda Linas is a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, currently serving as Commander of the 14th District. She is known for her unwavering dedication to public service, community empowerment, and exceptional leadership. Throughout her career, Melinda has held a variety of critical roles, including Commander of the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform, where she oversaw several key units, such as the Tactical Review and Evaluation Division (TRED), the 4th Amendment Stop Unit, and CompStat. She previously commanded the citywide Community Safety Team (CST), where she also served as a Lieutenant.
In addition to her distinguished law enforcement career, Melinda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from John Marshall Law School. She has been practicing law since 2008. Melinda’s journey of service began with her time in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Illinois Army Reserves, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant due to her dedication and outstanding abilities.
A breast cancer survivor, Melinda’s battle with the disease strengthened her resolve to support others. She was deeply affected by the loss of her co-worker and best friend to breast cancer and has since focused on empowering women in under-resourced communities, channeling her passion into providing access to support, education, and vital resources.
Three years ago, Commander Linas experienced a profound personal and professional loss when a young officer under her command died by suicide. Shortly thereafter, another traumatic event occurred when a CST officer was murdered during a traffic stop, and her partner was severely wounded but survived. These tragedies deepened Melinda's commitment to addressing trauma and mental health within the police force. Her leadership in navigating these incidents with compassion and honesty set an example for her unit and further fueled her dedication to erasing the stigma around mental health and trauma among officers and military veterans.
Melinda is an active member of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and the Professional Women's Club of Chicago (PWCC). She also devotes her time to non-profit organizations like Erase PTSD Now, advocating for alternative treatments and destigmatizing PTSD for trauma survivors.
When not actively engaged in public service, Melinda enjoys golfing, cooking, traveling and cherishing time with her husband and two daughters.
Angie Miller Integrative Physical and Mental Health Specialist, M.S., LCMHC, CWC
Angie Miller Wellness
Angie Miller, M.S., LCMHC, CWC, RYT® 200, is a Global Wellness Specialist championing the intersection between physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, International Speaker, Author, and Renowned Fitness Expert, Angie empowers individuals and audiences worldwide with mental and physical strategies for success. She hosts NASM's Strong Mind, Strong Body podcast and offers keynotes and workshops internationally, helping individuals and teams stress less, adapt to change, and build mental strength and agility. A professional development educator for the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Angie also taught Stress Management and Sport Psychology at Northern Illinois University. She filmed with Gaiam TV Fit & Yoga and currently contributes to numerous professional journals. A true luminary in integrative health, Angie is a catalyst for positive transformation.
William has been an officer with the Austin Police Department for 17 years. William began his career working patrol throughout the city, frequently responding as a dedicated mental health officer. Additionally, William was active early on in his career as an adjunct instructor and has maintained a passion for training and teaching throughout his career.
Currently, William teaches Use of Force, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Tactics, and is the PM for Austin Police Jiu-Jitsu, a program he and Ryan Nichols created in 2022. William enjoys frequently interacting with the community and looking for ways to integrate officers’ training with community involvement. William double majored in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Texas in Austin and is currently enrolled in the masters’ program for Texas State University, pursuing a masters of science in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Sergeant Staszewski has been a sworn member of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) since 2003, and has held multiple roles within the Department including patrol officer, community policing officer, school officer, and in-service trainer. Her current role is that of Sergeant at the Professional Counseling Division. She has been a Certified Peer Support Member since 2012 and has had positions in the program including Team Leader, Program Coordinator, and Program Manager. Bea holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Traumatic Stress Psychology, and is licensed in Illinois as both a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is the First Vice President of the Chicago Association of Women in Law Enforcement (CAWLE). Bea has presented at national conferences on the topic of mental health and first responders, and continues to facilitate wellness programs such as Stress Management within CPD.
Rob grew up in Northern New York and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo, after which he spent 10 years in Colorado. For seven of those years he was a Deputy with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Rob moved to Kearney, Nebraska where he has lived with his wife and four daughters for the last 17 years. He is currently assigned as an Investigator for the Kearney Police Department where his focus is on sex crimes, child exploitation, and computer forensics. Rob obtained his Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2024 and currently works as a therapist at Live Well Counseling Center in Kearney in addition to his law enforcement duties.
Dan Willis Captain (Retired), International Instructor
FirstResponderWellness
Captain Dan Willis (ret) - Founder of FirstResponderWellness.com - served with the La Mesa (CA) Police for thirty years, in part as a crimes of violence-sexual assault-child molest-homicide detective, SWAT Commander, Wellness Unit coordinator and Peer Support Team Leader, and Police Academy instructor. He has trained over 12,000 peace officers in 40 states and five countries on trauma recovery, resilience, wellness - as well as organizational wellness. He is the author of the emotional survival and wellness guidebook "Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responders Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart," which is required reading at the FBI National Academy in their two wellness classes. Capt. Willis is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Kristen Wright-Van Meter (Former) Recruiting Sergeant
Arizona Department of Public Safety
12 years in law enforcement, prior Savannah Chatham Metro PD (6 years with 3.5 years as narcotics detective), 6 years AZ DPS (3 years Phoenix graves, 2 years Drill instructor at State Trooper Academy, promoted in September of 2020 directly into the Recruiting Unit.) Arizona POST certified Physical Test Instructor, ISSA certified personal trainer and OCB (organization of competitive bodybuilding) figure competitor
