10/11/2026
I am not trying to convince you, like a typical politician, of what I want to do. I want to show you that I am already doing the work I will bring to Rock Island County.
Professional Involvement, Leadership & Community Service
1. Law Enforcement & Specialized Training
- Community Engagement Officer, Geneseo Police Department
- CIT Evaluator and Instructor Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)
- Evaluate officers in practical, scenario-based crisis intervention exercises, assessing communication, de-escalation, decision-making, and responses to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises
- Help prepare officers to recognize mental health crises, safely de-escalate encounters, and connect individuals with appropriate resources
- Force Science-Certified De-escalation Instructor
- FBI-Certified Negotiator
- Phase III Hostage Negotiator
- Former Rock Island County Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff; six years as a deputy
- Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) experience in collaboration with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office
2. Illinois Crisis Negotiators Association (ICNA)
- Executive Board Member and Secretary
- Oversee and coordinate scenario-based training for crisis negotiators across Illinois
- Help organize statewide professional training and conferences
- Recent conference: 114 negotiators completed scenario-based training as part of an event attended by 301 law enforcement officers, dispatchers, corrections professionals, and mental health providers
3. IMPACT Integrated Model Police and Crisis Team
- Program Leader, Geneseo Police Department
- Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Response
- Community Resource Coordination and Crisis Diversion
- Annual First Responder Conference Organizer
- More than $16,000 raised through IMPACT-related community efforts
- Ongoing healthcare partnerships, including a hospital collaboration recently recognized with an award. The recognition has not yet been publicly announced, and additional details will be released later.
4. Dementia-Friendly Community & Senior Safety
- Helped put Geneseo on the map as a Dementia-Friendly Community
- Geneseo Dementia Task Force
- Dementia-Friendly Community Initiatives
- Dementia Bracelet and Tracking Program
- Mindful Strides 5K, Two-Mile Walk, and Children’s Sprint
- Senior Outreach and Community Education
5. Community Outreach & Charitable Initiatives
- Community Resource and Interagency Collaboration
- Mental Health and Substance Use Initiatives
- School, Senior, and Veteran Outreach
- Cops & Firefighters for Christmas
- Community Fundraising and Support for Vulnerable Residents
6. Expert Consulting & Legal Work
- Expert Consultant in Wrongful-Death Litigation, Oregon
- Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Analysis
- Law Enforcement Policy, Training, and Use-of-Force Review
- Professional Analysis for Legal Counsel
7. Additional Professional & Leadership Involvement
- Candidate for the Governor-appointed **Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator** position under the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board; advanced through the Senate background process
- Statewide role focused on law enforcement mental health, officer wellness, resilience, trauma-informed training, and peer support
- Hammond-Henry Hospital CEO-Selection Process
- National Crisis Negotiation Conferences and Council Meetings
- Statewide Professional Development and Training
- Collaboration Across Law Enforcement, Healthcare, Dispatch, Corrections, and Mental Health Services
8. Professional Background
- Rock Island County Sheriff's Office former correctional officer and deputy sheriff
- Geneseo Police Departmentsince 2021
- Former Crisis Interventionist and Juvenile Boot Camp Instructor Annie Whittenmeyer
- Specialized Crisis Intervention, Negotiation, and De-escalation Training
9. Awards & Recognition
- 2024 Illinois Female Officer of the Year
- 2025 Lt. Aaron Landers Award
