Membership

Catherine Smit-TORREZ, LCC       Leadership Command College – Class #42    

P. O. Box 1942, Colleyville, TX  76034                                                                   cell 817-676-7683

Emergency Planning / Investigations / Security Consulting / Management / Instructor / Public Speaker / Writer

Summary of Qualifications

General Management

Experience with developing and implementing plans, structure, policies and procedures, city ordinances and protocols to ensure the proper administration and financial operations of law enforcement organizations as well as community wellness and operations.  Adept at researching avenues for additional revenues and means of budget reduction.  Trained and capable of preparing for Critical Incidents (Natural Disaster, Civil Disorder or Terrorism), implementing response and recovery aftermath.

Human Resource Development

Proactive and Results driven management to develop and motivate a Team Leadership style of management that encourages personal growth and development to every level of staff member thus delivering high morale and motivation. 

Education

• Graduate – Sam Houston State University – Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas - LCC in Huntsville, TX – 2003
• Rio Salado College in Tempe, AZ  

Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree – June 2022 (Estimated)

Certifications, Licenses & Specialized Training

• Master Peace Officer Certification, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education – TCOLE License #63609
• Private Investigator License, Texas Department of Public Safety – Private Security Board
• Police Instructor Certification, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
• Mental Health Officer Certification, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
• D.A.R.E. Officer Certification (Elementary, Jr. High & Sr. High certifications), Texas DARE Institute of TX – Southwest Texas State University
• Advanced Incident Command Certification (InCoSit training/NIMS – Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas)
• Civil Disorder Management
• Emergency Response and Preparedness Training, Emergency Management Institute (make request for complete list of certifications)
• Experience in Writing, Training and Implementing School/College Campus/Workplace Emergency Plans and Drills for Weather-related and School Violence or Crisis Incidents.
• Specialized training for Education Professionals with respect to “Prevention and De-escalation of Violent Episodes in the Classroom/Workplace”.
• Texas Board Certified Investigator – 2013 to present
• Expertise in Crimes Against Children Investigations and Interviewing Children (15 years Law Enforcement & 16 years Private Investigations)

Specialized Skills

Criminal Investigations – Specializing in Crimes Against Children and Juvenile Crimes both in Law

            Enforcement (as an Investigator and an Instructor) and in Criminal Defense cases (100+ cases)

Kinesics Interview Skills - Advanced

Excellent Public Speaking and Presentation skills

Public and Police Educator

Excellent Verbal and Written Communication skills

Mediation skills

Major Public Event planning and organization skills

Mitigation Skills

Media Relations training and experience

Intermediate Accident Investigation

Emergency Planning for School/College Campuses

Training for Education Professionals in Classroom Safety

Professional Experience

Business Owner / Manager – Fourteen (14) years

Management/Leadership/Supervisor – Nine (9) years

Over Twenty (20) years of Law Enforcement Experience as follows:

White Settlement ISD Police Department                    October 2010 -Present

Reserve Police Officer

Assist the ISD police department with training and as needed on a volunteer basis.

Stiletto Spy & Company Investigations                                  June 2010 -Present

Owner/Manager/Investigator

Own and manage a private investigations firm involved in civil and criminal investigations, surveillance, persons & asset searches and pre-relationship background investigations and a focus on Crimes Against Women & Children cases.

Infomart – DCI Technologies                                     October 2008-May 2009

Director of Security

Manage professional security staff and oversee security systems, emergency management plans and general security related operations for 1.6 million sq. ft., Class – An office environment and data center.

Taurus Investigations                                                            May 2008-Present

Private Investigator/Contractor/Consultant

Security Consultation regarding planning, equipment, implementation & practice drills for schools and workplace institutions.  Professional and competent corporate investigations that includes but is not limited to due diligence, employee and financial and background investigations, criminal and civil litigation matters and persons searches. 

Cockrell Hill Police Department                                        June 2004-May 2008

Chief of Police

Was responsible for smaller urban police department located within southwest Dallas (connected to Oak Cliff on the western side) for approximately four years.  Overcame economic challenges for the department by:

• reviewing and revising budgeted contracts and expenses to attain higher quality services and goods at lower costs and savings,
• implementing policies and ordinances to procure additional revenue for violators of insurance laws,
• soliciting and attaining donations from area businesses and corporations (over $80,000),
• applying for and receiving local and federal grant funding for unfunded projects and equipment (approximately $50,000), and
• working with Municipal judge to receive bartered services from convicted traffic and class C Misdemeanor violators.
• assist in Criminal Investigations – case filing, write warrants, crime scene (documentation, video/photograph, obtain statements, evidence gathering and submissions, fingerprints)
• Evidence Guardian – developed proper evidence logging/storing.  Audits of evidence room.

Instituted numerous policies and procedures to reduce liability, protect community and staff, and preserve integrity and ethical police practices.  Cockrell Hill’s crime statistics were the lowest in Dallas County south of Interstate 30 due to proactive policing and community efforts.  Established positive working relationships and alliances with local city departments (fire, courts and public works), area law enforcement agencies (local, county, state and federal), area social services, probation and parole services, and health services.  Instituted numerous positive, proactive, community policing programs to build trust with citizens and children:

• Lunch with the Law,
• Coin Program,
• Christmas tree lighting program,
• Annual Cockrell Hill Fiesta Night (drawing nearly 2,000 in 2007),
• Town Talk Meetings,
• Cockrell Hill Pride Award (neighborhood incentive program targeting the “broken windows” effect)
• D.A.R.E. program (taught in three area DISD elementary schools by Chief Smit),
• accepting numerous invitations to speak or do presentations at area church, civic, safety and school events and
• Annual Christmas Toys for Tots program.

Instituted standardized hiring procedures and practices that were nonexistent with prior administrations.  Improved department morale by:

• fair and equitable practices to acknowledge staff efforts
• fair promotional advancement
• officer and staff development
• Provided necessary equipment, training and leadership for professional police practices. 

Warrant Program lead in the area for highest collections by working with municipal judge in extraordinary means of reaching violators.  Worked with local departments to develop mitigation an evacuation plans for Cockrell Hill and submit to County Emergency Plan.  Join in area critical incident response training scenario with area Law Enforcement agencies. 

White Settlement ISD Police Department                       August 1999-June 2004

Police Captain

Lead district in all emergency response planning, writing scenario emergency drills, training of all staff, students and police, implementing drills, and readiness procedures.  Provided staff training in school/classroom safety issues.  Provided community training events.  Taught Stop Smoking Clinics and Identity Theft training.   Applied for and received Step Grant and implemented policy and procedures.   Collaborated in area Campus Improvement Committees.  Coordinated 1st Responder training event, Major event emergency plans and weapons qualifications trainings.  Lead in investigations including all high profile incidents and child abuse cases.   Taught Jr. High DARE program and offered additional classroom topics for all grade levels.

Everman Police Department                                         April 1991-August 1999

Police Officer

Patrol Duties

Coordinated all major events with School districts and local business and community:

• Santa Cop ( providing for approximately 120 needy students annually)
• Duck Race (fund raiser)
• Car Shows
• Circus
• Vial of Life Program

Developed, trained volunteers and coordinated the Citizens Awareness Patrol Program.  Worked 2 years in Criminal Investigations Division (focus on Crimes Against Children and Juvenile Crimes).  Primary patrol duties and assisted as relief Communications Officer.  Instituted Sr. Citizen Visitation program, specialized in Gang Intelligence and provided community training.

Grand Prairie Police Department                                      October 1988-April 1991

Reserve Police Patrol Officer

Received Reserve Police Officer Award for most volunteer hours in patrol, jail and special event functions.  Assisted task force operations and patrol.

Alpha & Omega Janitorial Service & Minor Maintenance and Repair Service 

Business Owner                                                                                                May 1984-July 1994

Operated full line janitorial service, landscaping service and minor maintenance and repair service throughout the DFW Metroplex as a major competitor in the field for ten years.  Provided detailed Bid Proposals following through with service contracts and quality control.  Managed marketing, human resources issues and accounting records for all business aspects to included payroll and taxes.

Associations and Affiliations

• Texas Police Chief’s Association – 2004-2008
• North Texas Police Chief’s Association – 2004-2008
• Texas D.A.R.E. Officers Association – 1992-2008
• Texas D.A.R.E. Officers Association – Board Member (Secretary and Sgt.@ Arms (1999-2004)
• North Dallas Republican Club – Program Chair – 2008-2010
• Campus Improvement Committee – L. O. Donald Elementary, DISD – 2006-07
• Private School Board Member – FWAA 1996-2006
• Church Board Member 2000 – 2006
• Texas Association Licensed Investigators 2011 – present
• Texas Association Licensed Investigators, Region 2 Board Member 2013-2016, At Large Director 2017, President Elect 2018-19, President 2020-2022
• National Council of Investigation & Security Services since 2020

Additional History

Republican Candidate for Dallas County Sheriff – March 2008 election

Author/Self Published Book – “Tragedy to Triumph” ‘Discover the secret of gaining victory over

            abuse’ 1996, “Unburied Treasure” ‘A Guide to Leaving Your Legacy’ Westbow Press 2012

            “Unburied Treasure” ‘A guide to leaving your legacy’, Westbow Press, 2011

            “Interviewing Children in Criminal & Civil Cases” Published Article in The Texas Investigator,

 Summer 2014, Fall 2014 & Winter 2015 editions

Public Speaker – various venues on the following topics:

            Law Enforcement/Personal Safety

            How to Prevent Becoming A Victim Of A Stranger Attack

            Gangs

            Drugs – Prevention & Recovery

            Identity Theft – Prevention & Recovery

            Various Youth and Faith-based topics

            Parents & Grandparents Legacy

Instructor – Interviewing Children and other Investigative Topics

News Contributor – Local and National News Contributor on Police, Investigative and Abuse topics