The Advisory Team
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Chief Chuck McDonald, Ret.
Southern Illinois University |
Chief McDonald (Ret.) has an extensive background in law enforcement administration. Over his 38-year career, he held numerous positions, including Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Foundation of Illinois, Police Training Specialist for Illinois Law Enforcment Training & Standards Board, Chief of Police for Southern Illinois University, and Director of Public Safety for Central Connecticut State University. His prestigious career has been recognized with multiple commendations and awards. Chief McDonald is also a Life Member of the International Association of Chiefs Of Police and continues to serve on several committees for that organization. He is also an active member of numerous task forces, police associations, and civic organizations.
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Sergeant Michael Georgoulis
Danbury Police Department |
With over 24 years of experience in law enforcement and 11 years as a Marine, Sergeant Michael Georgoulis currently serves a city of about 80,000 as the training sergeant. He has earned the rank of sergeant in both the military and police and has been awarded numerous medals and awards in both the military and the police department for his leadership abilities. Sergeant Georgoulis has taken well over 100 professional development courses during his police career including numerous instructor, armorer, tactical and leadership courses.
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Asst. Chief Bill Reilly, M.S. (Ret.)
Finest's Professional Development |
Bill Reilly formed Finest's Professional Development, LLC to advance achievements in law enforcement professionals and their organizations. He retired from the Hartford (Connecticut) Police Department as an assistant chief, having held assignments in the patrol division, police academy, bomb squad, and administration. His final assignment was as Chief of Staff, working directly with the Chief to improve organizational effectiveness and accountability. Bill is a certified police instructor in the area of Leadership and has delivered training programs to thousands of police professionals throughout the United States. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business, a Master's degree in Organizational Communication and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
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Sergeant Todd Lentini
Berlin Police Department |
Serving a town of about 20,000 for over 25 years, Sergeant Todd Lentini is familiar with small agency morale issues. Sergeant Lentini served as a patrol officer for 16 years, a detective for 7 years, and now serves the agency as a sergeant on the midnight shift. He has spent 16 years working with the local union in various position including 13 years as a past president. Sergeant Lentini is very active with the community he serves including being the coordinator for the DARE program for many years. He currently coaches high school basketball for the town.
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Sergeant Shawn Solek
Berlin Police Department |
A recipient of the Samuel J. Luciano Award for the highest graduating GPA from the Hartford Police Academy, Sergeant Solek currently serves as a patrol supervisor for a community of about 20,000 residents. Sergeant Solek has over 10 years of combined military and law enforcement experience. He served as an infantry team leader in Afghanistan and currently serves his department as a field training officer for newly graduated officers. Sergeant Solek also has military combat experience and is well versed on its effects on unit and individual morale.
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Inspector Emory Hightower
Police Training |
Inspector Hightower was hired by the Connecticut Judicial system after an impressive career with the Hartford Police Department where he reached the rank of Deputy Chief of Police. Hightower was born and raised in Hartford and as a result became passionate about education and training. He is a POST certified instructor and has taught numerous disciplines at several police academies. Among the many units Hightower was assigned to in his career, he is particularly proud of his involvement as a supervisory instructor for the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (GREAT) for the CIty of Hartford and the Weed and Seed Program which tackled numerous quality of life issues with several other city agencies.
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Officer Brian Wallace
West Hartford Police Department |
Officer Wallace has worked for over 20 years in emergency services and has been employed as an officer since 1999, currently for a town of over 60,000. He was active in the military and has received numerous community and State awards for service. Officer Wallace is a member of the SWAT team where he serves as a tactical medic and hostage/crisis negotiator. He also serves as a field training officer, a crash investigator, and as a police EMS program coordinator for 12 surrounding departments.
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Officer Theresa Velez, M.A.
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Officer Velez has a very diverse occupational background which has afforded her the opportunity to experience and utilize large commercial, municipal, and federal management techniques. Officer Velez currently serves a community of over 120,000 as a community service officer, academy instructor, field training officer, and as the employee assistance program coordinator for the department. She also has a diverse educational background, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management before earning a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology.
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Sergeant Joseph Linskey
Berlin Police Department |
After earning a Bachelor's of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology, Sergeant Linskey was hired by for a community of over 20,000 as a patrol officer. He has been an officer since 2000 and currently serves his department as a CPR and firearms instructor. Holding 5 firearms Master classifications, Sergeant Linskey researched, developed and implemented the first ever patrol rifle program for his agency. Sergeant Linskey has worked the midnight shift for several years and is familiar with morale issues associated with working regular overnight shifts.
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