CALEA Commissioners


Overview

The 21-member Commission is made up of eleven law enforcement practitioners with the balance selected from the public and private sectors.

Generally, the Commission reflects a representation from local, state/provincial, and international law enforcement and public safety organizations, along with business, academia, the judiciary, and state/provincial and local government.

Commissioners are appointed in consultation with the four founding organizations and serve without compensation.

Commissioners serve three-year, staggered terms.

The Commission meets to review candidate agencies for accreditation and provide policy guidance for Commission operations.

Meet the Board of Commissioners


Mr. Kirk Bednar
City Manager
City of Brentwood, TN

City Manager Kirk Bednar has held his current position since 2013, and prior to that he served as the Assistant City Manager for Brentwood.  he also has professional experience as a municipal management consultant for more than 50 cities within Tennessee.  He holds a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University and is a graduate of Augustana College, where he attained a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. 


Mr. Matthew Benson
Chief of Police
Cumberland (RI) Police Department

Matthew Benson has been chief of the Cumberland (RI) Police Department since 2022. He previously served 19 years with the Johnston (RI) Police Department in various operational and administrative components, including Accreditation Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University. He also has a Doctor of Education from Johnson & Wales University. Chief Benson is a member of several professional organizations and has received service awards and instructor certifications. 


Mr. Ed Drain
Chief of Police
Plano (TX) Police Department

Ed Drain has led the Plano (TX) Police Department as chief of police since 2020. Prior to this appointment, he was chief of the Amarillo (TX) Police Department. With 29 years of public safety experience in Texas, he has served in many capacities and has received executive and leadership training, including the FBI National Academy. Chief Drain served in the United States Army on active duty and as a reserve officer for over 24 years as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer and received several awards and decorations. In 2007, he retired as a lieutenant colonel. Chief Drain holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Business Administration from Amberton University.


Ms. Renee Gordon
Director
Alexandria (VA) Department of Emergency Communications

Renee Gordon has served as the Director for the Alexandria Department of Emergency Communications since 2015. Previously, she was the Director of 911 and Emergency Communications in Baltimore, Maryland. She began her public safety career as a member of the Prince George's County (MD) Police Department and transitioned to public safety communications in 2008. Director Gordon holds a Master of Business Administration from Trinity University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center, Public Safety Senior Executive Institute. Director Gordon is also a graduate of the University of Richmond Professional Executive Leadership School and is an industry leader empowering her organization as a certified professional in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In addition, she holds several international public safety certifications.  


Mr. Terrence Green
Chief of Police
Lexington (SC) Police Department

Terrence Green has been the chief of the Lexington (SC) Police Department since 2006 and previously he was the assistant chief for the respective agency. Chief Green began his career with the department in 1993 as a patrol officer. Throughout his service within the agency, he has worked in various operational and administrative components and led the organization to receiving CALEA Accreditation in 2008. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Public Administration from Strayer University. He is a graduate of several executive leadership and management programs. Chief Green is an alumnus of the FBI National Academy, president of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, and past-president of the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association. 

The Honorable Jon Hulsing
Ottawa County (MI) 20th Circuit Court

The Honorable Jon Hulsing has served as judge for the 20th Circuit Court in Ottawa County, MI since 2006. His docket consists of both criminal and civil cases. He has been the Chief Judge pro-tem since 2016. In 2018 he was elected by all of Michigan’s circuit court judges to be a representative on the Judicial Tenure Commission which investigates allegations of judicial misconduct. In addition to six years of private law practice, Judge Hulsing served as an Assistant and Senior Assistant Prosecutor in Ottawa County from 1995 to 2006. In 1983 he began his public service career as a deputy with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and then as a patrolman with the Wyoming Police Department. He previously served as a member and committee co-chair of the Michigan Judges Association. He graduated summa cum laude with a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University. 



Mr. Kevin Joyce
Sheriff
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Maine

Sheriff Kevin Joyce currently serves as the chief executive officer for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, a position he has held since 2011. He began his career with his current agency in 1986 and served as the chief deputy from 2003 until 2010. In addition to a career with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, he has served as a detention and deportation officer with the United States Department of Justice, a well as an Assistant Harbor Master For the Town of Naples, Maine. Sheriff Joyce holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Husson University and he is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - National Academy.

Ms. Kimberly Koster
Chief of Police
Wyoming (MI) Police Department

Kimberly Koster has led the Wyoming (MI) Police Department as chief of police since 2018. With 26 years of public safety experience, she has served in many capacities within the agency and has received executive and leadership training, including the FBI National Academy. Chief Koster holds an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University, and a Master of Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University. She is currently president of the Kent County Chiefs’ Association and was appointed by the governor to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES).

 


Mr. Hector Lopez Santillana
Former Mayor of Leon, Guanajuato

Hector Lopez Santillana is the managing director for Guanajuato Inland Ports, and the former Mayor of Leon, Guanajuato. He was previously the secretary of Sustainable Economic Development and former Governor of the same state.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from El Bajio University.


Mr. John Lumpkins, Jr.
Commonwealth's Attorney, FOIA Officer
Goochland County, VA

John Lumpkins, Jr. is the Commonwealth Attorney for Goochland County, VA. Prior to his appointment, he was a member of the Board of Supervisors in Goochland County, Virginia, and managing partner of Turner, Lumpkins & Blackwell, PLC in Richmond, VA. He has a variety of experience in the criminal justice and legal system and he also served as a police officer for the Fairfax County (VA) Police Department. Mr. Lumpkins holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton in Ohio and a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond in Virginia.


Mr. Marlon Lynch
Associate Vice-Chancellor
University of Colorado

Chief Marlon Lynch is the Associate Vice-Chancellor of Public Safety for the University of Colorado. Before this appointment, he served as Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police of Michigan State University.  Commissioner Lynch was Chief Safety Officer for the University of Utah Department of Public Safety, Senior Vice President for Global Campus Safety at New York University, and the Associate Vice President for Safety, Security, and Civic Affairs at The University of Chicago. His career progression includes years of law enforcement experience in municipal and campus environments. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He is also a graduate of the 216th Session of the FBI National Academy and the 256th Class of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command

Ms. Janet Moon
Chief of Police
Peachtree (GA) Police Department

Janet Moon has served as chief of police for the Peachtree City (GA) Police Department since 2015, and previously was deputy chief with the Suwanee Police Department. During her career, she has worked as a CALEA Accreditation Manager, as well as in a full range of leadership positions. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Organizational Management from Covenant College. Chief Moon is an alumna of the FBI National Academy and Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. Her organization has been accredited with CALEA since November 1992.


Mr. Rex Mueller
Chief of Police
Sioux City (IA) Police Department

Rex Mueller is chief of police for Sioux City (IA) Police Department. He began his career in 1996 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks, becoming chief in 2017. Chief Mueller has several leadership accomplishments and has established strategic committees to further the department’s training capacities, recruitment efforts, and community involvement. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Dakota and is an alumnus of the FBI National Academy.

Mr. Matthew Packard
Colonel
Colorado State Patrol

Colonel Matthew Packard is commander of the Colorado State Patrol. He began his career with the agency in 2000 and assumed several positions over the years. Colonel Packard is on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a member of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, and he was an Executive Board Member for the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Denver Joint Terrorism Task Force. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. 

Ms. Estella Patterson
Chief of Police
Raleigh (NC) Police Department


Estella Patterson is the chief of police for the Raleigh (NC) Police Department. Before this appointment she served 25 years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Department, elevating through the ranks to deputy chief. Chief Patterson is a member of several professional associations such as the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and president of the North Carolina Executives Association. Chief Patterson holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Oklahoma, and is an alumnus of the FBI National Academy.

Mr. Barry D Rountree
Chief of Police (Retired)
Winston-Salem Police Department, North Carolina

Chief Barry Rountree retired as the Chief of Police for the Winston-Salem, North Carolina Police Department. Prior to his appointment to this position, he assumed various positions and functional areas of the organization, including operations and administration. He joined the agency in 1988 and has participated in countless community activities, such as volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army. Chief Rountree holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Winston Salem State University. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Municipal Administration Program, and he is a graduate of the 31st session of the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University. Chief Rountree is a member of several professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is Regional Director for the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.


Mr. John Samaniego
Sheriff 
Shelby County (AL) Sheriff's Office

John Samaniego was elected Sheriff of Shelby County in 2014 and began his second term in January 2019. He currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Alabama representative for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center (RISS), District Vice-President for the Alabama Peace Officers Association, and is a Shelby County Community Corrections Board Member. Sheriff Samaniego holds a Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He is a graduate of the 176th Session of the FBI National Academy and is a 2017 graduate of the FBI - National Executive Institute.

Sheriff Samaniego was elected Sheriff of Shelby County in 2014 and began his second term in January 2019. He currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Alabama representative for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center (RISS), District Vice-President for the Alabama Peace Officers Association, and is a Shelby County Community Corrections Board Member. Sheriff Samaniego holds a Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He is a graduate of the 176th Session of the FBI National Academy and is a 2017 graduate of the FBI - National Executive Institute.

Dr. Joseph Schafer
Professor
Arizona State University

Dr. Joseph A. Schafer is Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. Prior to this appointment, he was Professor and Associate Dean of Research in the College for Public Health and Social Justice at Saint Louis University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Social Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Schafer’s research focuses on policing, organizational change, leadership, citizen perceptions of police, and future research in policing. He was the President of Police Futurists International, a member of the Futures Working Group, and a visiting scholar in the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI Academy and the Centre of Excellence in Policing & Security in Australia. He has authored/edited five books more than fifty research and policy articles appearing in various academic journals and policing periodicals.

Mr. Jeffrey Smythe
Chief of Police (retired)
Burlington Police Department, North Carolina

Chief Jeffrey Smythe served as the executive officer of the Burlington Police Department from 2013 until 2021 and has 31 years of police experience. Prior to that he was the chief of police for the Show Low Police Department in Arizona and has also worked for the Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department. Chief Smythe holds a Master of Educational Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies from Northern Arizona University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University.


Senator Darrell Weaver
Oklahoma State Senate

Darrell Weaver has represented District 24 of the Oklahoma State Senate since 2018. Prior to his appointment he served as Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and retired after 28 years of service. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University and a Bachelor’s of Accounting from Cameron University. He is a graduate of the 199th Session of the FBI National Academy, and of the Senior Management Institute for Police. In 2014 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.