EDWARD PIWKO
Buffalo,NY
Summary
Professional with strong background in investigative work, adept at gathering and analyzing information to uncover key insights. Known for collaborative teamwork and reliability, consistently adapting to evolving requirements to achieve desired outcomes. Skilled in critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, ensuring thorough and accurate investigations. Provides leadership both and off the job. A pillar of the community.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Investigator
Region 9
08.2016 - Current
- Served as an investigator in Region 2 and Region 9. Lives by the “Any Mission, Anywhere,” mentality. In Region 9 quickly changed the mentality Uniform ECOs and Lieutenants had of BECI. Have been an Investigator for almost ten (10) years making me the fourth (4th) most senior investigator in the state. Immediately went to work aiding officers with online investigations, buy busts, and search warrants. With no other Investigators, and with Lt O’Connor busy as acting captain, case work and investigations fell solely to this member. Quickly established reputation as always answering the phone, having an answer at the ready, and willing to assist. BECI was now the problem-solving office helping with anything from establishing online accounts, answering quick procedural or investigation questions, to writing full search warrants and running operations. Within a year had planned, drafted and ran over a dozen search warrants. Assisted ECOs with multiple buy busts, online investigations, and interviewing suspects. Captain was so impressed with BECI’s online investigations had me provide training for the regional officers on the basics of online social media investigations and open source intel collection. And awarded a Captain's Accommodation for the largest single reptile seizure in state history. Continue to average almost three times the case load of other investigators in the state.
- While an Investigator in Region 2 carried the highest case load of any of the investigators working in NYC at the time. Working on a wide variety of cases ranging from endangered species to SPDES and hazardous/ solid waste. Drafting, planning and executing dozens of search warrants. Also was working with the regional BECI Lieutenant (now Captain) on the standardizing/ formatting of the agency Operation Plan. At the same time also served as the Region 2 Lead Firearms Instructor, armorer, 1st Aid/ CPR/ AED Instructor, NARCAN Coordinator, Region 2 NYCOA representative, NYCOA Relief Board, and coordinated the regional flower fund. Was also one of the first person contacted by new ECOs for advice/ problem solving given the lack of senior officers (peer mentors in R2).
Uniformed Environmental Conservation Officer
Richmond County
05.2013 - 08.2016
- Was the sole ECO for Richmond County a sector which usually consisted of three officers. As one of the few ECOs in the city with prior LE experience was often sent by supervisors to help with more complex police matters such as processing arrests when a supervisor was not available. Co-ordinated details and ran operations with minimal supervisor input. Many years lead the state in CFS and Outreaches (Cumulative TRA for 2014: 5.97, 2015: 6.37, and 2016: 6.97). Co-ordinated the Rededication of the DEC Zimmer Vessel with the Staten Island Conservation for which the vessel was donated and named.
- Passes on Knowledge and Experience Gained to Others: Instructed at the 20th, 21st, and 22nd Basic Academy teaching Article 25 Tidal Wetlands, Field Note Taking, Radio/ Electronic Communications, Basic Investigative Techniques, Interview Techniques, HRSI Investigations, First Aid, Plain Clothes/ Off Duty Interaction, Initial Response to a Critical/ Dangerous Incident, Crimes in Progress, Endangered Species, and Firearms. Teaches Intro to ECL at local colleges and municipal police academies.
- Training Received: DCJS Firearms Instructor, IDC, DCJS Report Writing, DCJS Drafting Search Warrants, NYSP BCI Academy, 40 Hours HAZMAT, 24 Hour Sampling, NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor in the following disciplines (Pistol- 40 Hours, Patrol Shotgun- 40 Hours, Patrol Rifle- 40 Hours, Tactical Firearms/ Operations- 40 Hours), 1st aid & CPR Instructor, Wildlife Investigators Covert Academy, 40+ hours Social Media and Open Source Intel Training, 40+ hours Interview and Interrogation training.
Sergeant DVA Police
Department of Veterans Affairs POLICE
11.2008 - 05.2013
- Supervised 2-6 Police Officers, 1-3 Police Dispatchers, 1 Administrative Civilian, and 2-8 Civilian Telephone Operators Per Shift. Responsible for reviewing/ approving all police reports, arrests, and citations generated during the shift. Responsible for counseling and disciplinary action for all supervised personnel. Was the youngest and fastest promoted sergeant, being promoted above eight fellow officers (to include my FTO) for the position. Received the Sergeant of the Quarter twice, was the Senior Sergeant, Lead Firearms Instructor, Head Armorer, Use of Force Coordinator, Physical Security Officer, Evidence Custodian, Physical Security Officer, and Tactical Operations Supervisor/ Instructor. One of only two Police Officers (and only Police Supervisor) assigned to the VA Medical Center HAZMAT response unit which prepared and trained for Mass Casualty HAZMAT or Biological event. Served as Security Section Chief and Hot Zone Screener.
- Leadership Training: Attended two-week First Line Supervisor training. 40 Hour Instructor Development Course, 80 hours Firearms Instructor Course, FX (Simunitions) Instructor Course, Tactical Operations course, Force on Force Scenario Instructor Course, Intro to Evidence Collection/ Custodian, Psychology of Interview and Interrogation.
Military Police Sergeant and Senior Sergeant (E-5)
US ARMY National Guard (New York) 105th Military Police Company
07.2008 - 07.2009
- NYS HAZMAT Mass Decon/ Emergency Response Team, Warm Zone Decontamination UNIT Noncommissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) Military Police Sergeant and Senior Sergeant (E-5) in the 105th Military Police Company, which was entrusted/ served as the New York State HAZMAT Response Unit, specifically tasked with mass casualty events such as terrorist attacks, large industrial accidents in urban areas, or pandemics. Specific duty was the supervisor in charge of all civilian/ casualty (both ambulatory and non-ambulatory) decontamination.
- Supervised 20-30 National Guard Soldiers in the Warm Zone Decontamination Unit, mission was to operate in a contaminated environment, establish the Warm Zone and ensure that those leaving the Hot Zone were properly decontaminated before entering the cold zone. Training and mission required working certification with proper PPE including SCBA and PAPR. Participated in FEMA mass casualty HAZMAT spill and terrorist attack simulations in both New York State and Pennsylvania. Met all requirements for safety and exceeded the standard/ was able to decontaminate at least 200 casualties per hour for a continuous six-hour period with out exposing the cold zone or any of the decon crew (20-30 soldiers) to contamination. Any breach of the Warm Zone to contaminate the cold zone would be an automatic failure and end the scenario. While serving in the guard also was the Lead Combatives (Defensive Tactics) instructor for all Military Police Soldiers in the New York Guard. Served as the Lead Firearms Instructor for the 105th Military Police Company.
Military Police Sergeant (E-5)
US ARMY (ACTIVE DUTY)
07.2002 - 07.2008
- Military Police Sergeant, Squad Leader (directly supervised 9-16 Soldiers), Was the leader in charge of counseling, grooming, and rehabilitating the newest and most problematic soldiers to achieve Army Standards/ Peek Combat Effectiveness, Firearms instructor, Combative Instructor, Police Ethics Instructor, HAZMAT Handler, Range Master, Ammo Handler, Air Load Planner, Team Leader for cargo, prisoner (Felons/ Enemy Combatants) or high value asset transport and protection, both rail missions (train) and supercargo (intercontinental vessel shipments) certified, served as Team Leader on the "Teams" SRT (SWAT), and PSD (Protective Service Detail/ Dignitary Protection), Designated Marksman/ Counter Sniper, Forward Observer, Police Baton Instructor (PR24, side handle, fixed, and extendable baton), Honor Guard, Combat Veteran Afghanistan, and two month temporary assignment to CID (Criminal Investigation Division) undercover to infiltrate/ identify white supremacist gangs in the Armed Services.
- Promoted above Peers: achieved the promotion of Sergeant in three years- all ranks obtained on first attempt. Laterally Promoted to Corporal from Specialist within 30 days of achieving E4. At the time was the only US ARMY Military Police Corporal in all of Europe- a promotion which made me outrank all other E4 (Specialist) regardless of their time in rank or time in service.
- Served with Combat Distinction: Served as Senior Team Leader or Squad Leader for the entire deployment, Placed in charge of all Firearms Instruction and Ethics Training for Afghan Police/ Border Patrol in the Northern Provinces. Received Combat Action Badge (CAB) for being in direct fire/ conflict with the Enemy. Also received honorary Brass Combat Spurs for being in direct combat (firefight) with the enemy while attached to a US Cavalry unit. Volunteered to serve in the most dangerous units, missions and Areas of Operations (AOs) during OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom VI, VII, and VIII)
- Leadership Training: Was placed on Fast Track Program at Basic/ AIT- (all skills, proficiency, PE/ PT, and tests in the 90% or higher, expert in all firearms and combatives, on the Commandants List, displaying aptitude for leadership) was given additional responsibilities, grooming, and training in Army Leadership.
- Attended PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) and WLC (Warriors Leadership Course) both are 30 day, intensive, live in Leadership Schools. WLC received the highest honor of the "Distinguished Leadership Award" (must achieve a GPA of 85% or higher, with no grade below 80%, serve at least five consecutive days as class First Sergeant (Class Leader) and lead at least one successful combat scenario, be voted on by the majority of students- (140 students from four different nations militaries), and pass an oral review board before the Academy Cadre. Only one award per class is given.
Education
Associate degree - Criminal Justice, English
Erie Community College (SUNY) North Campus
05.2002
Skills
- Advance Interview Techniques
- Calm in Crisis Situations
- Covert Investigations
- Ethical
- Ballistics/ HRSI Investigations
- Due Diligence
- Detailed report writing
- Endangered Species & Wildlife Trafficking Investigations
- Manpower/ Investigation/ Force Multiplier
- Leadership
- Community Connection/ Outreach
Accomplishments
-Combat Veteran- Lead a sixteen soldier "Super Squad' during the highest combat tempo portion of OEF.
-Conducted an Overarching Illegal Wildlife Trafficking (dangerous reptiles) Investigation- which lead to dozens of warrants & arrests
-Largest Single Reptile Seizure in New York State history
-First successfully prosecuted deer poacher in NYC history
-Avid Instructor at the Basic Schools teaching everything from note taking to Firearms & RBT
-Taught other wildlife professionals in Canada and Africa
-Have trained Police on four different continents
Certification
- -1st Aid/ CPR Instructor
- -DCJS (New Curriculum) Firearms Instructor
- -RBT Instructor
- -Certified Multi Discipline NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor (handgun, shotgun, patrol rifle, precision (sniper) rifle, tactical shooting, & tactical shotgun)
- -GLOCK Armorer
- -Group Crisis Intervention Certified (CISM)
- -Assisting Individuals in Crisis Certified (CISM)
- -WICA (Wildlife Investigators Covert Academy)
- -HRSI Course
- -NYSP Investigator Course
- -Interview and Interrogation
- -Advanced Interview and Interrogation
- -US Army PLDC/WLC- (Primary Leadership and Development Course/ Warriors Leaders Course)
- -Sampling Team
- -Licensed Minister (Wesleyan Church)
Timeline
Investigator
Region 9
08.2016 - Current
Uniformed Environmental Conservation Officer
Richmond County
05.2013 - 08.2016
Sergeant DVA Police
Department of Veterans Affairs POLICE
11.2008 - 05.2013
Military Police Sergeant and Senior Sergeant (E-5)
US ARMY National Guard (New York) 105th Military Police Company
07.2008 - 07.2009
Military Police Sergeant (E-5)
US ARMY (ACTIVE DUTY)
07.2002 - 07.2008
Associate degree - Criminal Justice, English
Erie Community College (SUNY) North Campus