TCOLE Presenters
Chief Gregory Stevens
Executive Director - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Director Stevens was appointed as the sixth Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) on January 8, 2024. He has over 37 years of law enforcement experience, including more than eight years as a Texas Police Chief. Prior to his appointment with TCOLE, Director Stevens served as the Chief of Police in Rockport, Texas for nearly five years. He spent the majority of his career with the Lubbock, Texas Police Department from 1992 until he retired as the Lubbock Chief of Police in 2019. Director Stevens is also a retired Naval Intelligence Officer having served a nearly 25-year active and reserve military career.
Director Stevens holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University. He serves as the Midwest Region Representative for the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), is an ex officio Executive Board Member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) and is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Director Stevens has been recognized as an expert witness in law enforcement policy, search and seizure, use of force, illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking as well as other law enforcement matters in several Texas District Courts and in United States District Court. He has over two decades of experience as an instructor in law enforcement and leadership related subjects and continues to teach and speak publicly on a multitude of topics.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Director Stevens now lives with his wife, Randi, in Georgetown, Texas where he enjoys sporting clays, golf, hunting, fishing, running, and SCUBA diving. They have four grown children and one grandchild.
TJ Vineyard
Major - TCOLE Enforcement Division
T.J. Vineyard began his law enforcement career with the Austin Police Academy in January
1995, shortly after his 21st birthday. Over the course of nearly a decade as a police officer,
he assumed various roles in patrol, Street Response, and as a District Representative.
Notably, T.J. devised an innovative plan proposing dedicated firearms investigators
collaborating with ATF agents, drawing inspiration from a successful NYPD program. This
plan received approval and was officially adopted by the agency.
Upon his promotion to the role of detective, he joined the Gang Suppression Unit, later
transitioning within the Organized Crime Division to a firearms investigator position that
had originated from his earlier proposal. Engaging in task forces alongside ATF, DEA, FBI,
and ICE, T.J. dedicated his efforts to firearms investigations and narcotics interdiction. His
achievements resulted in the presentation of numerous cases directly to the United States
Attorney’s Office, establishing him as an expert witness in federal court. Concurrently, he
shared his expertise by teaching courses at the Austin Police Academy on search warrants,
monitoring jail communications, and organized crime investigations.
Awaiting promotion to sergeant, T.J. briefly served in the Cold Case Homicide/Missing
Persons Unit before assuming a role in Robbery upon his promotion. His tenure as a
sergeant in the Robbery Unit continued until his retirement from the Austin Police
Department in 2017. Subsequently, he transitioned to the Pflugerville Police Department as
a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division, ultimately retiring from traditional police
work in 2018.
Despite his retirement, T.J. remained active in law enforcement and related fields. He
worked as a private investigator and in private security, eventually returning to peace
officer duties when hired by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) in 2020.
Starting as a Sergeant Investigator in the Enforcement division, he quickly ascended to the
role of Major within a year. His division is embracing the changes needed to better quantify
and track statewide data with the goal of preventing most rule violations through targeted
education and communication. Initial efforts proved successful when less than twenty
licensees failed to complete legislatively mandated training at the 2023 training deadline as
opposed to the hundreds of failures in past training units that required Enforcement
investigations and discipline.
Major Vineyard actively participated in the legislative process during the 88th legislative
session, contributing to substantial changes for TCOLE. Currently, he works with all three
advisory committees (law enforcement agency standards, mental and physical evaluation
of licensees, and misconduct, hiring, and personnel files) that are finalizing the statewide
changes that will come from the implementation of Senate Bill 1445. His primary focus lies
in proactive education and communication allowing agencies and licensees to implement
those changes and operate effectively without conflicting with rules and laws.
Cullen Grissom
Deputy Chief - TCOLE Licensing and Education Division
Cullen Grissom is the Deputy Chief of the Licensing and Education Division for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Cullen has 39 years of experience within the law enforcement profession, including over 30 years as a law enforcement trainer. He has designed, developed, and implemented police/security training programs at the state, national and international level. Cullen holds master’s degrees from both the University of Houston and Texas A&M University. He has been serving the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement since 2016.
Dan Mireles
Lieutenant - TCOLE Compliance and Standards Division
Dan Mireles brings over two decades of law enforcement experience to his role, having served approximately 23 years with the Austin Police Department (APD), where he earned his TCOLE Master Peace Officer certification. During his tenure with APD, Dan was involved in numerous high-profile criminal investigations, including robberies, missing persons, cold-case homicides, and officer-involved shootings.
He has extensive experience collaborating with both federal and local agencies and has served in specialized units such as the APD Organized Crime Division, SWAT, and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program. Dan has also contributed significantly to law enforcement training efforts, serving as an instructor for APD’s SWAT, CAST and Organized Crime Division training cadres and as an adjunct instructor for ALERRT, where he helped train officers across the United States.
Dan joined the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) in October 2022.
Bob Miljenovich
Captain - TCOLE Enforcement Team
Bob Miljenovich is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 29 years of experience across federal, state, and municipal levels. He began his career as a Special Agent with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, later served more than two decades with the Austin Police Department in a variety of leadership roles, and now continues his service at the state level with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
He currently serves as a Captain with the Enforcement Team at TCOLE, where he oversees statewide criminal and administrative investigations, compliance reviews, and licensing standards. Alongside his operational leadership, he has extensive experience conducting sensitive investigations, supervising enforcement programs, and guiding agencies on regulatory and training requirements. His blend of investigative expertise, training leadership, and regulatory enforcement provides a strong foundation for helping agencies strengthen their hiring and background investigation practices.
Dan Walker
Attorney - TCOLE Legal Counsel
Daniel graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a B.B.A. in Management. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and became licensed as an attorney in 2009. He has previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office, an Assistant Attorney General with the Civil Medicaid Fraud Division with the Civil Medicaid Division of the Office of Attorney General, and Deputy Fraud Counsel of the Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit. Since 2024, Daniel has been an Assistant General Counsel with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Daniel is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family.
Jennie Hilbig
Attorney - TCOLE Legal Counsel
Jennie Hilbig serves as Assistant General Counsel at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), where she has worked since November 2023. She earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio and has been a licensed attorney since 2020. Before joining TCOLE, Jennie practiced in the General Litigation Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Aaron Heath
Attorney - TCOLE Legal Counsel
Aaron Heath graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee with a B.A. in Classics. He received his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law and became licensed as an attorney in 2011. Aaron has been an Assistant General Counsel with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement since 2023, with a primary focus on policies, administrative rulemaking, and general agency matters. He previously worked as an administrative prosecutor with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Aaron and his wife have two young boys and they enjoy the outdoors and cooking barbecue.
Mark Duncan
TCOLE Legal Department
Mark grew up in Houston before attending the University of Texas for his undergraduate and law degrees. Mark comes to TCOLE from the general counsel’s office at Austin ISD. Prior to that, he spent his time with the state working for the Texas Education Agency, Office of the Attorney General, and the Department of Public Safety.
Kamille Stanton
Records Manager - TCOLE Government Relations Department
Kamille Stone Stanton is TCOLE’s Records Supervisor. She began working in records management in London in 1999 as a graduate student and continued in Leeds, West Yorkshire, until 2006, when she finished her doctoral degree and returned to the United States. She served as Assistant Professor at Savannah State University until 2010 and Associate Professor at the University of Maryland until 2018 before transitioning to curriculum development for the Texas Workforce Commission and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. Kamille joined TCOLE’s Enforcement Division on contract last summer to map agency business processes and is now dedicated to establishing a records management program that will support all law enforcement agencies across the state.
Alexis Vega
Data Analyst - TCOLE IT Support Team
Alexis Vega is a data analyst at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), where he specializes in transforming complex data into actionable insights that support public safety and policy decisions. With a Master’s in Communication from the University of Utah and prior experience in higher education and tech, Alexis brings a strong background in quantitative research, teaching, and website optimization. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he combines technical expertise with communication skills to make data meaningful and accessible for diverse audiences.
Guest Presenters
Amanda Polk, CFE
Adult Protective Services Policy Specialist
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Amanda Polk is a native of Dallas, Texas, and has received her Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A&M University. She began her work with Texas Adult Protective Services (APS) as a case worker in 2008. During her tenure, she has served as a Special Investigations Supervisor, Financial Exploitation Subject Matter Expert (SME) and currently as an APS Policy Specialist. Amanda’s role has included reviewing and performing advanced consultative services and investigative work in complex cases of financial exploitation and other evidence driven cases to Adult Protective Services staff as well as providing technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public. Since 2018 Amanda has been instrumental in getting financial exploitation cases referred to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution which resulted in over $4.5 million dollars in restitution for the elderly and disabled victims. Amanda has been a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE) since September 2023 and became a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) on July 31, 2024. Amanda is deeply committed to safeguarding older adults and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. She frequently speaks around the country on a variety of topics related to prevention, detection, and investigations. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, watching her favorite sports (especially the Philadelphia Eagles), and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Bianca Hunter-Beckley
Vice President of Programs
ASPA Southern California Chapter
Bianca Hunter-Beckley is the Program Director Re-entry Action for Youth at Change Lanes Youth Support Services, where she leads initiatives that support the successful reintegration of justice-involved youth. She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership, with research focused on improving community-police relationships through meaning-centered leadership—a reflection of her deep commitment to building trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Passionate about fostering meaningful connections and advancing public service, she strives to inspire others to engage in impactful work and to drive collaborative efforts toward building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Christopher Hoyer
Police Training Coordinator
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Retired Police Officer Christopher Hoyer is a protector, survivor and advocate for mental, physical and emotional wellness. After spending more than 20 years as a street cop and having faced the worst horrors imaginable, he has turned his focus to sharing his story with others and helping the law enforcement community prepare for the trauma that comes with the job. He has spoken to thousands, including first responders, mental health professionals and various professional entities, sharing his story in hopes of saving lives. Hoyer wrote and published the book titled “When That Day Comes: Training for the Fight.” The book was written for a couple of specific and special reasons. The first is to honor the memory of all fallen Law Enforcement Officers ... one in particular. The second is to pass on what time on the street taught him about survival ... mental, physical and emotional.
Chuck Allen
Captain at Texas State Fire Marshal's Office
I have been with TDI/SFMO since June 2016, where I started as a fire/life safety inspector. I rose through the ranks as a lieutenant and captain. I became the Assistant State Fire Marshal in September 2023. I have a bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M in Emergency Management and a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership. I am a master fire inspector, fire/arson investigator, as well as a master peace officer. I am a field training officer and a certified fraud examiner. I have over 35 years of experience in the public safety industry (Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement) which includes private sector, municipal, county, and state governments. I have spent time in criminal investigations, patrol supervisor both with a sheriff’s office. I created a county fire marshal office from the ground up.
Chuck Loner
Director of Operations for Controlled F.O.R.C.E. South
Charles “Chuck” Loner is the Director of Operations for Controlled F.O.R.C.E. South. He is a Security Consultant and Military Veteran leveraging over 27 years of proven experience in law enforcement, security, public administration, contracting, and executive protection. Mr. Loner managed security, law enforcement, and Presidential protection operations for over 400 personnel as a Senior Enlisted Leader. He is our company’s primary military advisor for Department of Defense training and security services. Mr. Loner originally joined the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. team as an instructor in 2015. He has assisted in the training of over 300 departmental instructors and sustainment trainers. Mr. Loner joined our team on a full-time basis after his retirement from active-duty service in 2021.
Claude Locke
Training Coordinator - Richardson Police Department
Sergeant Claude Locke joined the Richardson Police Department in 1999 and has served on the SWAT team since 2000, where he is now the Team Commander. Over his career, he has held roles including entry team member and leader, sniper team member and leader, and instructor.
Sgt. Locke took a hiatus from the Department in 2004 and served a year-long contract with the United States Department of State in Afghanistan before returning in 2005. He went on to work in the Special Investigations Unit and was promoted to Sergeant in 2007, later supervising both patrol and investigations.
He now serves as the department’s Training Coordinator, overseeing all Officer and academy training. Sgt. Locke has been involved as an instructor in some capacity for over 24 years. Beyond Richardson PD, Sgt. Locke teaches firearms and tactics to U.S. military units, government personnel, and police agencies nationwide and abroad. Before his law enforcement career, Sgt. Locke served five years in the United States Marine Corps as a Reconnaissance Marine.
Heath Crossland
Chief of Police - Mexia Police Department
Chief Crossland is a 25-year veteran of law enforcement. He has a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration from Tarleton State University and a master’s degree in leadership and organizational development from UT-Dallas. He also has a graduate certificate in professional and executive coaching from the University of Texas and is a Master Peace Officer. His career includes service with the Ferris Police Department, Lancaster Police Department and Erath County Sheriff’s Office along with his role as Chief of the Mexia Police Department. When he retired in 2018, he started a consulting company called 4CITE. He aims to continuously bring awareness to organizational mental health, law enforcement PTSD and other organizational development related topics.
Ian Stuart Lovestock
Police Training Manager for Controlled F.O.R.C.E. South & Nationally Certified IADLEST Instructor
Ian Stuart Lovestock, more commonly known as Buddy is a 48-year veteran of Texas Law Enforcement. Mr. Lovestock served in several administrative positions with large and small law enforcement agencies, retiring from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 at the rank of Deputy Chief and was the Sheriff’s Training Academy C ommander. He also served as Manager for the Alamo Area Regional Police Academy and as Regional Crime Pr evention Specialist. Since 2009 Mr. Lovestock has been an instructor at undergraduate criminal justice programs at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
Jason Long
Owner/CEO of LevelUp 911 Training
Jason, a seasoned Telecommunications Instructor, embarked on this entrepreneurial journey to expand the knowledge and expertise of Telecommunicators across the United States and abroad. Recently retired from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a Law Enforcement Instructor III, Jason ensured that all agencies received top-notch in-service training and academy certification. With an impressive track record of over 27 years in the field of Emergency Services, Jason's extensive experience makes him a highly sought-after instructor. Additionally, he has been a certified instructor by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council for more than a decade, further solidifying his credibility and expertise.
Jason's exceptional ability to captivate and inspire participants sets him apart, resulting in his instruction of personnel from more than 2000 agencies nationwide and internationally. His reputation extends beyond state borders, as he has also been invited to present at prestigious conferences such as the CCAW, NENA, and APCO National Conferences, as well as numerous state-level events. Through his dedication and unwavering passion for the job, Jason continues to make a significant impact in the field of Emergency Telecommunications, elevating the skills and knowledge of Telecommunicators, Officers, Firefighters, EMT’s, and more across the country and abroad.
Dr. Mark Escott
Chief Medical Officer and EMS System Medical Director for the City of Austin and Texas DPS
Dr. Escott serves as the Chief Medical Officer and EMS System Medical Director for the City of Austin and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He also serves as a Tactical Physician for the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group. He has presented at multiple national EMS and Emergency Management conferences on cognitive errors in public safety. Dr. Escott has academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine at University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School and as a Senior Lecturer in Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University in Australia.
Dr. Michael A. Burts
Faculty Instructor | Author | Law Enforcement Professional
Dr. Michael A. Burts is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 25 years of dedicated service. He currently serves as a faculty instructor at the San Antonio College First Responders Academy, where he specializes in leadership development, curriculum design, ethical policing, and instructional strategies that build confident, accountable officers. In addition to his academy role, Dr. Burts also teaches as a professor of leadership, preparing future leaders across both public safety and academic settings.
Dr. Burts holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management with a concentration in Logistics, a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership, Administration, and Innovation. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Class #417.
He is the author of Exposing Chameleons Within the Ranks: A Voice Beyond the Badge, a compelling examination of toxic leadership and its impact on officer wellness, morale, public trust and organizational culture. His work advocates for proactive leadership development, starting at the patrol level, well before formal promotion.
Sgt. Michael Burton
National Academy of Professional Development
Sergeant Michael Burton is a 23-year veteran of Texas Law Enforcement. He holds a Master Peace Officer license, Advanced Instructor Proficiency, Firearms Instructor Proficiency, and is a certified ALERRT Instructor. He is Nationally Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and serves as the Executive Director for the National Academy of Professional Development. He started as a Field Training Officer in 2006 and served as the Field Training Program Administrator and Training Coordinator for the New Braunfels Police Department for the past nine years. He was the agency’s representative for the Commission and developed an exemplary cadre of professional trainers and instructors. He’s instructed various courses locally, statewide, and nationally. Sergeant Burton has attended the last nine TCOLE Conferences and loves brainstorming with fellow training professionals.
Chief Reuben Ramirez
Retired Assistant Chief of Police at Dallas Police Department | First Responders Wellness
Reuben Ramirez is a law enforcement leader with nearly 30 years of service, recently retiring as assistant chief of police with the Dallas Police Department. He retired in 2024 after serving as the Commander of the Patrol Operations Bureau. Chief Ramirez also served DPD in various other capacities as well. Previously he was the commander of the Tactical and Special Operations Bureau, and the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
In the fall of 2021, Chief Ramirez began working on a project that would change the culture of the Dallas Police Department through the implementation of the Checkpoint Strategy. The strategy was designed to promote emotional survival in high-stress professions, and would aim to break stigmas, save careers, and save lives.
The renowned "Checkpoint Strategy" has received international attention and has been implemented in agencies around the country. Chief Ramirez has been featured in Police Chief Magazine, and is the author of the book, Checkpoints: The Blueprint to Emotional Health for First Responders. Chief Ramirez is currently developing new projects and strategies to build healthier culture within organizations that enhance recruitment, retention, and the overall lives of first responders around the world.
Ronny Phillips
Chief of Police - Alvin Community College
As the Chief of Police, Ronny Phillips leads public safety operations and oversees training initiatives. He has over 43 years of law enforcement experience, fulfilling roles of patrol officer, detective, training coordinator and academy director, among others. He began his career with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office before moving to the Galveston Police Department, where he retired in 2008 after a distinguished career in patrol, investigations, crime scene work and the Dive Team/Marine Unit. Following retirement, he became the rangemaster and academy instructor at Alvin Community College, where he was eventually appointed Chief of Police in 2019. Chief Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from East Texas A&M University and is currently pursuing a PhD. in Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University, with research focused on predictive policing, law enforcement training, and victimology. He also holds several training certificates and continues to contribute to the advancement of criminal justice through teaching, research, and leadership in higher education and policing.
Stan Stanridge
Chief of Police - San Marcos Police Department
Chief Standridge currently serves as the Police Chief in San Marcos, Texas, and began his career in law enforcement in 1995. He’s worked as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Assistant Chief and spent a decade on the SWAT Team before eventually being appointed as the Chief of the Abilene Police Department in 2009. He holds an undergraduate degree from Midwestern State University and a Master of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is a member of the elected board of the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA).
Victoria Watson
Patrol and Health and Fitness Officer - Brownsville Police Department
Officer Watson was the Rio Grande Valley’s first full-time female SWAT member and has an extensive background in health and science. She is certified as an Advanced Physical Fitness and Readiness Assessment Instructor (by the Texas DPS Fitness and Wellness Unit), a Health Coach (American College of Sports Medicine) and a certified personal trainer (American College of Sports Medicine). Watson is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Science from Liberty University and is also fluent in American Sign Language, which has been beneficial for her department.