Meet the LEADS Scholarship Recipients

Shon F. Barnes was hired as Madison Police Department's Chief of Police by the Police and Fire Commission of Madison, Wisconsin in December of 2020. He was previously the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, Illinois. Chief Barnes was the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and a Captain with the Greensboro Police Department (NC) where he began his career as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000. Chief Barnes was selected by the National Institute of Justice, as a 2015 LEADS Scholar, for using innovative technology to reduce crime. Chief Barnes is a council member on the National Police Foundation's Council on Policing Reforms and Race.

Chief Barnes attended Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina) where he received a B.A. Degree in History/Pre-Law, and the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio) where he received a master's degree in Criminal Justice. He has earned a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Greensboro, North Carolina).​

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.

As a sergeant of Deputy Superintendent Rannie Mushatt's staff, Sergeant Powell's main role is a liaison between the Investigation and Support Bureau and the Public Integrity Bureau. Sergeant Powell's responsibilities include assigning, tracking and monitoring all internal investigations. She assists in the conduct of disciplinary hearings, preparing vital notifications and pertinent paperwork. She also review's staffing requirements, court attendance, policy compliance and training. In addition to those duties, Sergeant Powell conducts quarterly reviews of sex crime cases per the consent decree. Sergeant Potts believes that participating in the LEADS scholar program has been truly an amazing experience. She has gained a new perspective about partnerships related to evidence-based approaches in leadership roles and the need for effective community policing. She was honored to interact with OJP Assistant Attorney General Karol Mason and NIJ Director Dr. Nancy Rodriquez at the IACP Conference, and she looks forward to gaining knowledge and experience in continuing participation in the LEADS scholar program.

Lieutenant Freidline is currently assigned to the Patrol Division of the Riley County (KS) Police Department. Within this division, Lieutenant Freidline uses data and intelligence to increase the effectiveness of their officers through using hot spot policing to try and deter and prevent crime with our intelligence unit providing a minimum of weekly updates about crime trends. As a LEADS scholar, Lieutenant Freidline has gained a new network of mid-level supervisors to communicate with in reference to solving crime problems and sharing ideas. She is also appreciative of the wealth of knowledge available through NIJ and their website, who are working just as hard to progress law enforcement in a positive direction.

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.

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.

Lieutenant Mac Gillis serves as his agency's training lieutenant and also conducts training research for the agency. Since being selected as a LEADS scholar, Lieutenant Mac Gillis has had the opportunity to network with the Las Vegas (NV) Metro Police Department and the Washington State Police Academy; recently he has conducted a research presentation for the Shanghai, China Police College. This program is about researching best practices and sharing knowledge and experiences to improve our profession. One of the most important outcomes from this experience is that agencies must have strong executive decision-making that is evidence-based and backed by scholarly research, but must also involve those at the practical application level. LEADS is that essential practical component.

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.

Captain Charlie Thorpe is a 25-year veteran of the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's Office. His current assignment is bureau commander of the agency's Investigations where he oversees over 100 sworn and civilian employees involved in criminal investigations, intelligence, homeland security, forensic services, victim advocacy, crime analysis and support for these sections. Captain Thorpe completed his master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration through the University of South Florida at Sarasota-Manatee while serving as the Lieutenant of the Intelligence Section. In this position, 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. Captain Thorpe developed the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office current program of "Intelligence 2 Action," which places 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. Captain Thorpe takes a special interest in the effect of those who repeat or are "prolific" in the commissions of crime  on overall crime in a community. His research in this area led to his pursuit of involvement in the LEADS program. The LEADS program has become a quick success in promoting the importance of academic/practitioner relationships in building solid and efficient practices for daily policing in our nation. As this program continues, Captain Thorpe suspects the benefits will become something to behold; but the networking relationships among the LEADS scholars and their new research contacts have already proven to be exceptional.