Kimberly, a Los Angeles native, has devoted over a quarter-century to public service as a law enforcement professional. Her career spans both sides of the radio, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the field. Although retired from her position as Communications Administrator for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Kimberly remains actively engaged in the industry. She now works closely with Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), focusing on addressing staffing and training challenges, as well as developing systemic positive cultural changes and efficiencies. Her diverse experience includes serving as a sworn police officer in Inglewood, where she worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, and detective in the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Unit. Following her field work, Kimberly transitioned to dispatching, serving as both a dispatcher and senior at the San José Police Department’s Communications Division, where she was also a member of the Dispatch Response Team and the Training Unit.

Kimberly’s commitment to excellence is evident in her impressive educational background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Science in Justice Studies from San José State University, where her thesis explored the effects of stress on 9-1-1 dispatchers. Additionally, she is certified as a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Master Instructor, Class 10. As a published author, Kimberly continues to contribute to the field’s knowledge base and has collaborated with two major universities on a groundbreaking research project involving all 454 public safety answering points in California, focusing on the effects of stress on public safety dispatchers.

Throughout her career, Kimberly has successfully merged practical work experience with advanced education to create progressive paradigm shifts in local policing training models. Her approach facilitates inclusiveness and stakeholder representation, driving positive changes in law enforcement and emergency response practices.

Dr. Michelle Lilly’s research focuses on cognitive and emotional processing factors that enhance risk for post-trauma psychopathology, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and somatic complaints. They have established a significant publication record in the area of mediating and moderating variables that predict adverse health in various trauma-exposed populations, including 9-1-1 telecommunicators, victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), and interpersonal trauma survivors across community and university settings.

The researcher has conducted and published a series of studies with experienced 9-1-1 telecommunicators, examining the impact of duty-related trauma exposure and emotional processing variables on risk for PTSD, depression, physical health complaints, and obesity. For the past two years, they have served as a Co-Investigator on a NIOSH-funded R01 award with Dr. Meischke and collaborators at the University of Washington. This project has led to the development of an online mindfulness-based intervention tailored for 9-1-1 telecommunicators (MBI-911). Currently, they are testing whether MBI-911 enhances mindfulness and reduces stress in a sample of telecommunicators.

To date, Dr. Lilly has 36 articles published or in press in peer-reviewed journals involving trauma-exposed samples. As a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois, they bring a background in providing intervention for trauma-exposed populations. They also serve as Co-Director of the Trauma Services Clinic housed within the Psychological Services Center (PSC) at NIU. Their licensure and training encompass assessment of psychopathology, ethical decision-making in research and clinical care, healthcare delivery, and health assessment, as well as empirically supported treatments for psychopathology, particularly in the aftermath of trauma exposure.

Tigran Topadzhikyan, MPA, is a distinguished law enforcement professional with over two decades of experience in policing and public safety. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, and raised in Los Angeles, Tigran has dedicated his career to public service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and two master’s degrees: one in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and another in Security Studies from the Naval Post-Graduate School for Homeland Defense and Security. Tigran’s professional training includes graduation from the Supervisory Leadership Institute and FBI National Academy.

Tigran’s law enforcement career began after graduating from the Rio Hondo Police Academy in 1997. He has served in various roles, including Detective, Tactical Flight Observer, and member of the Crisis Negotiation Team. His career progression led him to the positions of Sergeant and Lieutenant, where he supervised critical units and served as Watch Commander. A significant achievement was his appointment as Deputy Director at the Los Angeles Interagency Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT). Currently, Tigran serves as the Commander of the Glendale Police Department’s Communications and Technology Bureau, overseeing the 911 dispatch center.

Tigran’s contributions to law enforcement are notable. His thesis on school shootings influenced proposed safety legislation, and he received the “Award for Excellence” from the Executive Office of The President of The United States in 2018. He also serves as an Alternate Security Representative for the National Basketball Association. Tigran’s bilingual skills have enabled him to assist in international investigations and present on anti-corruption at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. Outside of work, Tigran enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family, embodying a commitment to both professional excellence and personal balance.