WELCOME
Dr. Kathryn Hamel is a best-selling author, distinguished academic, dedicated philanthropist, sought-after speaker, and career professional with a passion for education, mental health, and non-profit leadership.
Kathryn Hamel, Ph.D., is the Vice-President of Mobile Operations at Be Well OC.
She previously worked as a Chief Executive Officer for a mental health nonprofit dedicated to providing education, information, and services to traumatized persons. In addition, she has been involved as a volunteer with Be Well OC’s community initiatives since 2021 and has served on various committees and sub-committees.
Before transitioning into nonprofit leadership, she worked in higher education and later as the Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for a private, accredited international university.
She also served her community for nearly 25 years as a law-enforcement professional for two mid-sized municipal police departments and retired as a police lieutenant in 2019.
Dr. Hamel is a certified facilitator, a certified trauma and resilience professional, and a seasoned educator. She has spoken at numerous conferences and engagements on trauma and resiliency throughout North America. She is also the best-selling author of Body Mind & Badge: Strategies for Navigating Trauma & Resilience in Law Enforcement.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Hamel is the 2023 recipient of the Advocate of the Year award from the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and the 2022 recipient of the Mental Health Association of Orange County’s Professional of the Year.
She is pursuing a second Master’s Degree in Psychology with a completion date in 2024. In addition, Dr. Hamel holds two professional certifications in trauma and resilience (Level 1 and Level 2) from Florida State University, a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership & Criminal Justice from Capella University, a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Education and Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
She has almost three decades of experience guiding nonprofit and charitable organizations as a committed community volunteer. She is currently an appointed member of the Human and Civil Rights Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Board Member of KinderVision, a nonprofit co-founded by her late mother, Ashby Sebastian, dedicated to addressing the exploitation of children.
Body, Mind & Badge Now Available
Critical incidents and career-altering traumas are daily risks that law enforcement officers must face. But, too often, officers turn to maladaptive habits to cope. Is there a better way? In Body, Mind & Badge, Dr. Kathryn Hamel answers that question with a resounding "Yes!" While academic scholarship provides the book's foundation, expert contributors share their deeply personal journeys and insights, providing law enforcement officers a roadmap to resiliency.
Education
Capella University
Ph.D.
Public Safety Leadership-Criminal Justice
Chapman University
Master of Science
Criminal Justice
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Science
Occupational Studies and Vocational Arts
Experience
Be Well OC
May 2023 - Present
Vice-President - Mobile Operations
Mobile Crisis Response Teams
The Mobile Response Team provides information, referrals, transportation, and additional follow-up support and case management. The Mobile Response Team program helps improve outcomes for those in need while also supporting law enforcement and EMS so they can focus on calls where they are needed most urgently.
Hecht Trauma Institute
March 2021 - October 2023
Chief Executive Officer
Non-profit dedicated to providing education, information, and services to empower and support people affected by trauma.
California Southern University
January 2019 - March 2021
Senior Vice-President, Human Resources & Organizational Development
Vice-President, Leadership Development
Dean, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Fullerton Police Department
March 2004 - January 2019
Police Lieutenant
Investigations Sergeant
Public Information Officer
Detective
Training Officer
Patrol Officer
Center for Criminal Justice Training & Research
California State University, Long Beach
September 2017 - Present
Adjunct Faculty Member
Sexual Assault for First Responders & Title IX
Criminal Justice Training Center
Golden West College
September 2014 - July 2020
Adjunct Faculty Member
Crimes Against Children
Domestic Violence
Cultural Diversity
Sexual Harassment
University of Phoenix
July 2011 - February 2015
Lead Faculty Chair
Adjunct Faculty - Various Criminal Justice
and Leadership Topics
Fullerton College
October 2006 - October 2015
Adjunct Faculty
Emergency Management
Glendale Police Department
January 1995 - March 2004
Police Officer
Field Training Officer
Patrol Officer
Skills
Strategic Communication
Comprehensive knowledge of media relations, branding and strategic communications
Skilled Investigator
25 years of criminal and administrative investigations experience
Experienced Instructor
Over 17 years of teaching, presentation and curriculum development experience
Leadership Development
Experienced in developing human capital through robust leadership training
Human Resources
Experienced in developing human capital through professional development planning and training
Workplace Investigations
Experienced in employee relations and certificated in conducting SHRM workplace investigations
Operations and Logistics
Experienced in oversight of mobile operations and logistics
Lectures & Presentations
PTSI, Sleep Disturbances and Impact on Officer Safety & Wellness
March 2023
Fractures in the Thin Blue Line: Suicide Prevention for Law Enforcement
October 2022
Trauma-Informed Leadership for 911 Professionals
September 2022
Vicarious Trauma for Modern 911 Professionals
September 2022
Traumas of Law Enforcement
July 2022
Introduction to Vicarious Trauma
June 2022
Trauma-Informed Leadership for 911 Professionals
February 2022
The Intersection of Law Enforcement and IPV
January 2022
IPV: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach to Working with Survivors
November 2021
Fractures in the Thin Blue Line: Suicide Prevention for Law Enforcement
October 2021
What's Next? Building a Comprehensive Continuum of Care to Address the Poly-Victimization and Trauma of Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
August 2021
Cultivating Staff Resilience in Law Enforcement - POST Certified CPT Course
May 2021
What's Next? Building a Comprehensive Continuum of Care to Address the Poly-Victimization and Trauma of Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
April 2021
Intimate Partner Violence - A Three Stage Model of Trauma Treatment
August 2020
Intimate Partner Violence: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach to Working with Survivors
September 2019
Restoring Safety and Promoting Healing
June 2019
Sexual Assault for 1st Responders & Title IX
April 2019
Sexual Assault for 1st Responders & Title IX
January 2019
Social Media Trends for Youth
March 2016
Law Enforcement and Social Media
December 2015
Cyberbullying and Social Media
October 2015
At-Risk Youth Programs
July 2015
Media and Community Relations
April 2015
Cyber Sex-Crimes Investigations
May 2013
Interpersonal Violence
April 2013
Sexual Assault and Safety
April 2012
Child Sexual and Physical Abuse
April 2012
Sexual Predators & Internet Safety
September 2011
Family Violence & Sexual Assault
March 2011
Family Crimes Investigations
July 2010
In the Community
Golden West College Leadership and Ethics Institute
Past Advisory Board Member
KinderVision
National Board of Directors - Member
A Quarter Blue
Advisory Board Member
Women Leaders in Law Enforcement
Co-chair (2011-2012)
Human and Civil Rights Committee Member - IACP
International Association of Chiefs of Police (Appointment 2022-2024)
Publications
December 2021
Body, Mind & Badge: Strategies for Navigating Trauma & Resilience in Law Enforcement (ISBN: 978-1-956837-05-6)
May 2022
Contact Me
Kathryn Hamel © 2019