DEBBIE MARTIN
Bedminster
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in classroom management and individualized student support, improving educational performance. Skilled in adapting teaching methods to diverse skill levels, ensuring comprehensive learning. Dedicated to nurturing student development and instilling a lifelong passion for education.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Captain (Consent Decree & Planning Division/Newark Police Academy)
Newark Police Department
Newark
09.2024 - Current
- Provide executive-level leadership and oversight for departmental compliance with the federal Consent Decree, ensuring adherence to constitutional policing standards, policies, and best practices.
- Direct strategic planning initiatives, policy development, and performance monitoring to support organizational reform and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external monitors, and legal entities to implement corrective actions and sustain compliance benchmarks.
- Oversee instructional standards at the Newark Police Academy, ensuring recruit training aligned with the standards as set forth by the Police Training Commission.
- Ensure in-service training aligns with Consent Decree requirements and modern policing principles.
- Supervise command staff, instructors, and civilian personnel, fostering accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Chief of Staff to the Public Safety Director
Newark Police Department
Newark
09.2022 - 09.2024
- Served as Chief of Staff to the Public Safety Director, providing executive-level support and strategic oversight across Newark Police Department operations and administrative functions.
- Oversaw Legal Affairs, Labor Relations, Human Resources, and the Taxi & Transportation Division, ensuring regulatory compliance, policy alignment, and operational efficiency.
- Acted as liaison between executive leadership, municipal officials, unions, and external stakeholders on critical public safety initiatives.
Captain (Special Victims Division)
Newark Police Department
Newark
07.2022 - 09.2022
- Commanded and supervised the Special Victims Division, overseeing investigations involving sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, missing persons, and other sensitive crimes.
- Provided executive leadership and case oversight to detectives and supervisors handling complex investigations.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal laws, Attorney General guidelines, victim-rights statutes, and departmental policies.
- Reviewed and approved investigations, arrest decisions, search warrants, and case filings to ensure thoroughness, legal sufficiency, and victim safety.
- Managed division staffing, scheduling, and specialized training related to sexual assault response, domestic violence, and child abuse investigations.
- Oversaw internal audits, performance evaluations, and quality-assurance reviews to maintain investigative integrity and accountability.
- Responded to critical incidents and high-profile cases, providing executive decision-making, media coordination, and interagency collaboration.
Associate Director
Essex County Police Academy
03.2021 - 07.2022
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of and for teaching responsibilities for the Police Academy in accordance with the Police Training Commission guidelines and requirements.
- Plan and direct activities related to the implementation of the basic recruit training program at the Essex County Police Academy.
- Instruct Recruits.
- Oversee the on-going review of the curriculum. Incorporate instructional strategies designed to utilize technology in the classroom.
- Oversee training and development of instructional staff.
- Ensure that Police Academy staff and PTC certified instructors are selected, trained, supervised and performance evaluated.
- Act as a liaison between the Essex County Police Academy and the Newark Police Division.
- Conduct and supervise investigations regarding recruit performance.
- Prepare routine, special and ancillary reports as required.
- Perform other related duties as required.
- Oversee the entire hiring process for Alternate Routes (Testing, Interviews, Medical, Physical and Psychological).
Lieutenant (Training Division)
Newark Police Department
Newark
01.2020 - 03.2021
- Assisting the Captain with developing a syllabus for Promotional, Recruit, and In-service Training Classes.
- Coordinating and scheduling classes, staff instructors and outside lecturers.
- Serving as the disciplinary officer for the recruit class and maintaining all records regarding the disciplinary process of recruits.
- Conduct interview process for recruits who resign or are dismissed from Academy Training.
- Maintaining Master Roster for Recruit Class and status changes.
- Instructor for First Line Supervisory Training Course.
- Coordinate with the following to schedule In-Service and Recruit training: State Judiciary to schedule Promise Gavel Training & ECDR Training.
- Liaison for outside state partners in obtaining newly hired police personnel credentials, NJCourts, InfoCop, Enforsys and NJ Learn.
- Coordinating ceremonies including, programs, invitations and rehearsals.
- MOI Certified Instructor, Certified Physical Training Instructor, Instructor for MOI Certification Course, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor.
- Teaching in-service courses to the Police Division (Stop, Search & Arrest, Use of Force, Community Policing, Fair & Impartial Policing and re-training as necessary).
Lieutenant/Executive Officer (Communications Division/911 Call Center)
Newark Police Department
Newark
03.2019 - 01.2020
- Supervise and provide guidance to both civilian and sworn member of the CD/911 Call Center.
- Follow corrective procedures during the disciplinary process.
- Acknowledge commendable actions taken by subordinates.
- Enforce departmental Rules and Regulations and ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Ensure appropriate action is taken by subordinates and monitor the activities of personnel and equipment.
- Monitor all supervisory subordinates for deficiencies and non-compliance regarding standards of job performance.
- Assist sworn and civilian members in their professional growth and development.
- Initiate appropriate action in the event of failure, error, violation, misconduct or neglect of duty by subordinates.
- Ensure proper staffing levels are met with regard to scheduling on a daily basis.
- Responsible for the review of investigations against personnel.
- Responsible for the review of personnel time accounts (Vacation, Sick, Etc.).
- Knowledge of CAD/RMS, 911 phone and software systems.
Sergeant (Robbery Section)
Newark Police Department
Newark
09.2016 - 03.2019
- Supervised members of Robbery Section, providing guidance on investigations.
- Ensured compliance with New Jersey Criminal Code for robbery-related investigations.
- Monitored personnel activities to maintain high standards of job performance.
- Followed corrective procedures during disciplinary processes to uphold accountability.
- Acknowledged commendable actions of subordinates to promote a positive work environment.
- Enforced departmental rules and regulations, ensuring adherence to policies.
- Managed daily operations of Robbery Section in absence of Commander, assigning investigatory cases.
- Supported officers and detectives in professional growth and development initiatives.
Sergeant (Special Victims/CDT)
Newark Police Department
Newark
03.2016 - 09.2016
- Provided direction and guidance to subordinates in responding to service calls for criminal and drug activity, accidents, domestic violence incidents, and Quality of Life complaints.
- Supervised, trained, and developed subordinates for enhanced performance and professional growth.
- Ensured adherence to Newark Police Department's general orders, values, and regulations among subordinates.
- Addressed departmental violations through a structured progressive discipline process.
- Oversaw first-line supervision of investigations within Special Victim’s Unit, focusing on sexual assaults, domestic violence, bias incidents, and child endangerment cases.
Police Detective (Robbery Section/Major Crimes)
Newark Police Department
Newark
06.2011 - 03.2016
- Conducted investigations and made arrests for the violations of New Jersey Criminal Code, including robberies, carjacking, aggravated assault/shootings, kidnappings, firearms violations and conspiracy to commit various offenses.
- Tasked with the preparation of cases for review by Newark Police Department supervisory and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office personnel.
- Prepared affidavits and search warrants in order to further criminal investigations.
- Testified at the Municipal and State level.
- Interviewed victims, witnesses and suspects in both written and audio/video recorded formats.
Police Detective Administrative/Licensing
Newark Police Department
Newark
07.2006 - 06.2010
- Maintained comprehensive incoming and outgoing mail log for effective communication tracking.
- Typed departmental memos to ensure clear dissemination of information.
- Assisted in daily operations of Office of Chief of Police, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Conducted background investigations on firearm applicants to assess eligibility within Newark.
- Performed background checks on property and business owners applying for licenses in Newark.
- Collaborated with City Hall employees from Code Enforcement, Licensing, and Fire Department to certify business occupancy.
Police Officer (Patrol/Safe City Task Force)
Newark Police Department
Newark
07.2002 - 07.2006
- Executed buy and bust operations, leading to multiple arrests for solicitation and prostitution.
- Coordinated reverse sting operations to apprehend solicitation offenders.
- Conducted preliminary investigations into locations associated with prostitution complaints.
- Participated in investigations targeting illegal liquor establishments and gambling activities.
- Responded to emergency calls related to criminal activity, drug offenses, and domestic violence.
- Engaged with community members to address quality of life issues effectively.
- Enforced motor vehicle laws to enhance public safety.
Education
Master of Arts - Human Resources Training & Development
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Individualized Studies
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Hackensack, NJ05.2015
2002 - Police Officer
Newark Police Academy
Newark, NJ07-2002
Skills
- Emergency procedures and management
- Risk assessment and analysis
- Decision making under pressure
- Leadership and teamwork
- Effective communication skills
- Problem solving and conflict resolution
- Situational and operational awareness
- Continuous learning mindset
- Physical fitness and resilience
- Multi-tasking and prioritization
- Active listening and interpersonal skills
- Analytical decision making
- Professionalism and demeanor
- Documentation and reporting skills
References
Available Upon Request
Professional Development
- FBI Advanced Criminal Investigations
- Major Crimes Investigations
- Interview & Interrogation
- Social Media Research & Investigations
- Child Abuse Investigations
- Methods of Instruction
- Physical Training Instructor (NJ Police Training Commission)
- Emergency Vehicle Operator Instructor (NJ Police Training Commission)
- Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Instructor – Georgetown University
- Integrating Communications and Assessment Tactics (I-CAT) Instructor – PERF
- Methods of Instruction Course Instructor
- Laws of Interrogations & Video Record of Suspect Interviews/Eyewitness ID’s/Courtroom Testimony
- Cellular Analysis Survey Team Training
- Youth Engagement Strategies Training – Creating Conversations (Allstars Project)
- FDU Executive Leadership Program for Public Safety Personnel
- FBI LEEDA Trilogy (Executive Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute & Supervisor Leadership Institute)
Languages
Portuguese
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Captain (Consent Decree & Planning Division/Newark Police Academy)
Newark Police Department
09.2024 - Current
Chief of Staff to the Public Safety Director
Newark Police Department
09.2022 - 09.2024
Captain (Special Victims Division)
Newark Police Department
07.2022 - 09.2022
Associate Director
Essex County Police Academy
03.2021 - 07.2022
Lieutenant (Training Division)
Newark Police Department
01.2020 - 03.2021
Lieutenant/Executive Officer (Communications Division/911 Call Center)
Newark Police Department
03.2019 - 01.2020
Sergeant (Robbery Section)
Newark Police Department
09.2016 - 03.2019
Sergeant (Special Victims/CDT)
Newark Police Department
03.2016 - 09.2016
Police Detective (Robbery Section/Major Crimes)
Newark Police Department
06.2011 - 03.2016
Police Detective Administrative/Licensing
Newark Police Department
07.2006 - 06.2010
Police Officer (Patrol/Safe City Task Force)
Newark Police Department
07.2002 - 07.2006
Master of Arts - Human Resources Training & Development
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts - Individualized Studies
Fairleigh Dickinson University
2002 - Police Officer
Newark Police Academy