Meet the LEADS Scholarship Recipients

Jason Potts leads the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety, which provides the public with law enforcement and detention services. This department manages the city jail and includes the deputy city marshals (who provide public safety at city parks and facilities), as well as animal protection services.

Potts started his policing career with the Vallejo Police Department in Northern California, where he moved up the ranks to captain, leading the Operations Bureau, Investigations Bureau, and Emergency Services Unit. Before his career in municipal policing, he worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a border patrol agent.

During his career at the Vallejo Police Department, Potts worked in various capacities, including patrol, crime suppression, investigations, SWAT, field training, internal affairs, the FBI’s Solano County Violent Gang Task Force and the Oakland Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. He also is a military reserve special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

Potts earned a master’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine. He has a bachelor’s degree in Management from St. Mary’s College in California. He holds a certificate of completion from the Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute of Police. He is a graduate of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Command College, Executive Development Course and is a National Institute of Justice Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Program alumni with the U.S. Department of Justice.

An advocate for evidence-based policing, Potts serves on the Executive Board for the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing, is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice (violent crime working group), and is a National Policing Institute fellow. He has been a strong proponent of officer safety and wellness, data-driven patrol deployments, community engagement, practitioner-led research, innovative practices and technology. In June of 2019, he was recognized nationally at George Mason University (evidence-based policing hall of fame) for his collective efforts in advocating and implementing evidence-based policing — both nationally and in his department.

Nicole Powell brings more than 23 years of experience in law enforcement, including over a decade in leadership roles at the New Orleans Police Department. She began her career as a dispatcher before becoming an officer, eventually spending more than 12 years on patrol in the city’s 8th District—home to the iconic French Quarter—and later serving as a detective in the 1st District. Her efforts have been recognized through numerous awards for crime reduction, operational excellence, and community engagement.

Powell most recently served as a Lieutenant on the Superintendent’s (e.g., Chief of Police) staff, where she focused on crime reduction strategies, organizational improvements, and innovative approaches to recruitment. Known for her direct and transparent communication style, she emphasizes the importance of aligning teams around clear, collaborative goals, and building trust through consistent communication.

Powell has earned national recognition for her leadership. She was honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of its “40 Under 40” and was nominated for the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. In 2015, she was selected as a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) LEADS Scholar, joining a prestigious cohort of mid-level law enforcement professionals from around the United State. The program is committed to advancing evidence-based policing and applying research to real-world challenges.

Erin Freidline joined the Riley County Police Department in 2000.  She served in several capacities working various patrol shifts, serving as a detective and task force officer.  She promoted through the ranks, spending time in both patrol and investigations as a supervisor.  In 2018, Erin was promoted to Major and served as the Commander of the Support Division before transferring to Investigations where she supervised all the investigative units in addition to the victim advocacy program.  In October of 2024 Erin was selected as the Deputy Director for the Riley County Police Department and continues to oversee daily operations of the agency.  She further aids in budget development, human resources oversight, and fiscal management for agency funds.

Erin is a graduate of the 264th session of the FBI National Academy and is a LEADS (Law Enforcement Advancing Data & Science) scholar through the National Institute of Justice.  She was a recipient of the 40 Under 40 award from the IACP because of her leadership and commitment to the policing profession.  She received the Young Alumni award from Kansas State University for her service to the community.  

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology from Kansas State University.  She later earned a master’s degree in executive leadership from Liberty University.   She holds a certificate from the University of Kansas Public Management Center with the Certified Public Manager program.  

A native of Dallas, TX, Tarrick McGuire began a career in public service with the Arlington (TX) Police Department in 2003. During his tenure, he has served in multiple positions before being appointed to Police Chief in 2024. As a nationally recognized public speaker and published author, Chief McGuire has been a leading authority on community police relations, police pattern and practice, evidence-based policing, and public policy. In 2020, he was appointed to the Council on Police Reform and Race by the National Policing Institute and was inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame in 2022.

In 2016, Chief McGuire served as a law enforcement fellow with the International Association of Chiefs of Police contributing research and technical assistance to U.S. police departments on 21^st Century Policing in Washington, DC. During this period, Chief McGuire worked with the Department of Justice COPS Office and Obama Whitehouse Administration to improve policing practices, policy, and community-police relations nationally.

As a pracademic and change agent in policing, Chief McGuire was recognized by the IACP as one of the top 40 under 40 most progressive police leaders in the world. Although he has received many accolades, he is most proud of the Anthony L Sutin Department of Justice COPS Office Award for his work in community police relations and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Governmental Leadership.

Chief McGuire has earned a B.S. in Speech Communications from Oklahoma State University, a M.A. in Christian Leadership from Criswell College, and a Doctor of Public Administration from California Baptist University.

Lieutenant Nelson is currently in charge of the Professional Standards and Internal Affairs Office within the Madison (WI) Police Department, a department of approximately 450 commissioned and 150 civilian employees. Having never been to the IACP Conference previously, Lieutenant Nelson came away from the event very impressed; with the major take away being the importance of using data and research to make departments more efficient. After the conference, Lieutenant Nelson contacted an academic researcher at a college in Wisconsin and explained his plan to implement a domestic violence initiative that targets persons convicted of a crime. Lieutenant Nelson and the researcher plan on beginning research and discussions in January 2016.

Joshua Young was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Management Analysis & Planning in April 2022. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Young will be responsible for operational procedures and agency-wide policies that impact department operations as well as develop and assess budget and resource needs for critical department-wide programs, directing and overseeing in-depth analysis, reporting, and the dissemination of statistics related to the agency’s goals and objectives. furthermore, DC young will act as the department’s liaison with the mayor’s office and oversee and direct the preparation of management reports containing detailed quantitative analysis of key statistical indicators monitored by the mayor’s office.

DC Young has delivered large-scale transformation initiatives in every major branch of the criminal justice system. DC Young brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that includes; developing technological solutions and evidence based strategies to improve jail operations and services. 

Mr. Young also served as a police supervisor, SWAT Operator, and Undercover Detective in Southern California. DC Young was the first known line-level police officer to successfully integrate a major randomized controlled trial (RCT) within a policing organization. This mega-study was one of the largest multi-site RCTs in the history of criminal justice research.

DC Young graduated with a master’s degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management from The University of Cambridge (U.K.). He is also an Executive Fellow at the National Police Foundation, and a LEADS scholar with the National Institute of Justice.

James H. MacGillis was hired in 2021 as the Wauwatosa Police Chief, after retiring from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) after 25 years of service as a Police Captain. During his career at MPD, he held several roles, including: Director of Training at the Milwaukee Police Regional Training Center, HIDTA Group Supervisor, Patrol and Detective Bureau Shift Commander, and Major Incident Response Team commander (crowd management). He also served in the US Army (Active and National Guard) as a combat medical specialist. He is a Use Force expert witness and has testified in dozens of legal proceedings, leading to his 2014 selection as LEADS scholar with NIJ. 

MacGillis earned his master’s degree in Administrative Leadership-focusing on adult education programs from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a Certified Public Manager, graduating the Wisconsin Department of Justice- Command College program through the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He embraces data-driven and evidence-based policing strategies into practical application at his current agency.

Louis A. Molina assumed the role of Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction on January 1, 2022. He is a veteran public safety leader with experience in military, law enforcement and corrections.

Commissioner Molina most recently served as Chief for the City of Las Vegas’ Department of Public Safety, where he oversaw the city’s jail, deputy city marshals and other public safety officials. In 2018, Commissioner Molina served as the first deputy commissioner for the Westchester County Department of Correction. From 2016-2017, he served as Chief Internal Monitor and Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Nunez Compliance unit at NYC DOC. He started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in the NYPD and rose to the rank of Detective.

Commissioner Molina has experience modernizing correctional systems through robust programming, building staff capacity and making strategic investments that improved conditions for staff and people in custody. He has also built strong partnerships with faith-based and community leaders, and nonprofit organizations working with justice-involved people.

Commissioner Molina is a native New Yorker from the Bronx and a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Chaminade University, a Master of Public Administration from Marist College School of Management, a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and studied abroad at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He was a U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Scholar and most recently received a scholarship from the Harvard Business School Fund for Leadership & Innovation. Commissioner Molina also has completed the Harvard Business School General Management Program.

The Fayetteville (NC) Police Department has 443 sworn employees with an additional 200 non-sworn employees for a total of approximately 650 employees. Captain Nolette is currently assigned to the position of Executive Officer for Chief Harold Medlock and holds the rank of Captain. As part of his responsibilities in this position, Captain Nolette oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fayetteville Police Department Crime Intelligence Center (CIC). The CIC is the agency's operations center for all major investigations, incident command center and crime analysts. Each week, the CIC embeds itself into all major trend or spree crimes, and it utilizes research and technology in a way that streamlines the investigative and policing processes as to allow for the system to run smoother. The LEADS program has allowed Captain Nolette to have a network of contacts who are focused on the future of policing while maintaining contact with the day-to-day operations that are required to maintain a strong presence in the field of traditional policing.
 

Sergeant Mark Landahl, Ph.D., serves as the Supervisor of the School Resource Unit within the Homeland Security Section of the Frederick County (MD) Sheriff's Office. The 13 Deputies of the School Resource Unit provide law enforcement services to the more than 46,000 students and staff in 67 schools in the 664 square miles of Frederick County. Participation in the NIJ LEADS program provided access to law enforcement experts dealing with the latest challenges in the field and access to evidence-based practices in school-based policing that helped to improve service delivery in Frederick County.

Lieutenant Edward Pallas has been a police officer with the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Police for 21 years. He is currently the Deputy Director of the Major Crimes Division and is also a member of his department's Emergency Response Team, where he has served as a conflict/hostage negotiator for the last 15 years.

Lieutenant Pallas earned his bachelor of arts in criminal justice from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his master of science in management from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his doctor of education in organizational leadership and innovation at Wilmington University. His dissertation research investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence, leadership style, and effectiveness in police supervisors. Lieutenant Pallas is a certified IACP Master Instructor in both the Leadership in Police Organizations program and the Iraqi Police Education Program.

He is also a certified practitioner in the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator and the Emotional Intelligence Inventory. As a LEADs scholar he has networked with and explored the research of other police professionals from across the country. He believes the LEADS scholarship program will continue to bridge the gap between practical application and academic research required of 21st century law enforcement leaders.

Chief Thorpe joined the Venice Police Department (FL) in December 2018 and was named Chief in 2021. Prior to that he spent 27 years with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, leaving at the rank of Captain.

At the Sheriff’s Office he held assignments as bureau commander of the agency's Investigations where he oversaw over 100 sworn and civilian employees involved in criminal investigations, intelligence, homeland security, forensic services, victim advocacy, crime analysis and support for these sections.  He developed a strong interest in regional collaboration with other agencies and with academia in order to promote intelligence-led policing practices for crime prevention. He developed the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office current program of "Intelligence 2 Action," which placed a strong emphasis on analysis-supported response to crime and hazards. The collaboration with other agencies has resulted in the area law enforcement exchange, or "ALEX" program, that has considerably enhanced information and intelligence sharing among local, state and federal law enforcement in the southwest region of Florida. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Leo University and a master’s degree from University of South Florida in Criminal Justice Administration.

The Boston (MA) Police Department is a stalwart supporter of community policing strategies reflecting the values of the visitors and residents of Boston. As the Registrar of the Police Academy, Sergeant Detective Gary J. Eblan, M.A., has spent more than 16 of 26 years involved in the creation, design, implementation and execution of all facets of police training. The LEADS program has allowed him to expand his knowledge and resource base, and bring innovative ideas back to the Boston Police Department. Sergeant Detective Eblan now works as an investigator in the Bureau of Professional Standards, Anti-Corruption Division.

In addition to his role as a patrol lieutenant serving the Glendale Police Department, Lieutenant Brauer maintains a number of other responsibilities including: TRACS administrator/trainer, department grant writer, promotional assessor, accreditation manager, dispatch center liaison, TIME System TAC, and RMS administrator/trainer. While the LEADS program may be still in its infancy, Lieutenant Brauer has already received tremendous value from the program. He feels that the combination of NIJ, the IACP, and LEADS scholars has created a brain trust that will lead to research-based innovation, problem solving, and the continued professionalization of law enforcement. He is honored to have this opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated, insightful, and intelligent members of the law enforcement community.