• WELCOME

     

    Dr. Kathryn Hamel is a best-selling author, distinguished academic, dedicated philanthropist, sought after speaker, and career professional with a passion for education and non-profit leadership

    Dr. Kathryn Hamel is the Chief Executive Officer at the Hecht Trauma Institute.

     

    Prior to her transition into non-profit leadership, she worked in higher education and served her community for nearly 25-years as a law-enforcement professional for two mid-sized municipal police departments. She has worked as a police lieutenant, police sergeant, special victim’s detective, public information officer, and task force officer.

     

    During her tenure at a local University, she served as the Dean of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Organizational Development. Concurrently, she was responsible for creating an 18-month postgraduate leadership academy.

     

    Dr. Hamel is a certified facilitator, trauma and resilience professional, and seasoned educator. 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, she holds a Doctoral Degree in Public Safety Leadership from Capella University, a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

     

    Dr. Hamel serves as an appointed member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP's) Human and Civil Rights Committee and on the National Board of Directors for KinderVision, a non-profit co-founded by her late mother, Ashby Sebastian, dedicated to addressing the exploitation of children.

  • Body, Mind & Badge

    Strategies for Navigating Trauma and Resilience in Law Enforcement

    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.

     

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  • 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

    Hecht Trauma Institute

    March 2021 - Present

    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 15 years of teaching, presentation and curriculum development experience

    Leadership Development

    Experienced in developing human capital through robust leadership training

  • Certifications

    Society of Human Resources Management - Workplace Investigations Certification

    Florida State University - Trauma and Resilience Level 1 & 2 Certification

  • Lectures & Presentations

    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

    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)

  • Contact Me