Felicia Cross
Seattle,WA
Summary
Passionate people-focused Program Leader with extensive experience designing, implementing, and managing engaged community and law enforcement programs.
Expert knowledge of managing large-scale community-based programs,budgets, law enforcement policies and procedures, advocacy initiatives and leveraging network contacts to develop effective and comprehensive solutions. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to deliver targeted events or services, contributing towards established mission. Skilled at connecting people with resources. Collaborative and influential communicator; able to build consensus.
Professional with strong background in fostering community engagement and building strategic relationships. Proven ability to manage and execute outreach programs, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders. Skilled in event planning, conflict resolution, and public speaking. Reliable team player with results-driven mindset, adaptable to evolving needs, and focused on achieving organizational goals.
Experienced with building and nurturing community relationships that support organizational objectives. Utilizes strategic planning and effective communication to engage diverse groups and promote positive interactions. Track record of enhancing community ties through innovative programs and conflict resolution.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Relations Supervisor
Washington State Office of Independent Investigations
Olympia, WA
09.2024 - Current
- Developed community engagement strategies to enhance local partnerships and brand visibility.
- Coordinated outreach programs, fostering relationships with stakeholders and community leaders.
- Implemented initiatives to address community needs, aligning organizational goals with public interests.
- Managed event planning and execution, increasing participation through targeted communication efforts.
- Delivered impactful presentations at conferences and workshops, showcasing organizational successes while learning from industry leaders.
- Increased public awareness of organizational goals through targeted campaigns and events
- Nurture communication with Advisory Board, Legislative Representatives, and community relationships.
Subject Matter Expert
Felicia Cross Consulting, LLC
Seattle, WA
03.2020 - Current
- Highly sought after, Internationally known subject matter expert on the topics of community policing and community engagement.
- Keynote Speaker for Community Engagement Conferences worldwide, including Dubai, UAE 2022, and Singapore, 2024
- Facilitated 2 day; 4 session workshop at the 2nd annual Professionalizing Law Enforcement and Community Engagement Conference Training (PLECET) in Atlanta, GA. approx 700 attendees.
Director of Community Outreach
City of Seattle Community Police Commission
Seattle, WA
03.2021 - 07.2024
- Developed community engagement strategies to enhance collaboration between residents and law enforcement.
- Facilitated workshops to educate community members on police policies and practices.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to promote outreach initiatives and resources.
- Led team in analyzing community feedback to inform decision-making processes for policing strategies.
- Coordinated public forums to foster dialogue between citizens and police representatives.
- Trained staff on effective communication techniques for community interactions and event facilitation.
- Collaborated with internal departments to align organizational goals with community outreach initiatives, ensuring maximum impact across multiple areas of focus.
- Facilitated open forums for dialogue between residents and key decision-makers, empowering community members through active participation in important conversations about their neighborhood''s future direction.
- Enhanced community engagement by developing and implementing strategic outreach initiatives.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff and advisory board members
Community Outreach Program Manager – Panning & Development Specialist II
Seattle Police Department (SPD), Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
03.2018 - 03.2020
- Serve in multifaceted, community related focused supervisory role. Oversee all aspects of SPD Community Outreach program; liaise internally and externally to forge meaningful and productive relationships, open lines of communication, and closely monitor program initiatives to ensure effectiveness. Establish long-term SDP Community Outreach strategic plans. Conceive and implement new programs, initiatives, and policies to drive positive community relations based on data analysis, emerging trends, and program effectiveness. Engage with all members of diverse community, spanning city officials, residents, business owners, large corporations, non-profit organizations, and visitors. Manage administration of Community Police Academy; process and review applications, select candidates, create Academy content, compile materials, and facilitate trainings.
- Direct major community programs; plan, coordinate, and manage execution of Women’s Personal Safety Training, Community Police Academy, and Beds for Kids donation program, including fostering positive relationships amongst community leaders and industry professionals to schedule robust training seminars.
- Consistently assess program impact and effectiveness; reprioritize and redesign initiatives to align with program goals and deliver desired impact.
- Coordinate programs across 10 demographic community councils.
- Widely regarded for treating all interactions and relationships with highest level of integrity and compassion.
- Crime Prevention Coordinator (2017 – 2018)
- Designated liaison between internal SDP personnel and community members to promote general public safety and reduce community crime rates. Consistently remained updated and analyzed crime statistics for assigned precinct jurisdiction.
Crime Prevention Coordinator
Seattle Police Department
Seattle, WA
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Developed and implemented community outreach programs to enhance public safety awareness.
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies to coordinate crime prevention initiatives across neighborhoods.
- Analyzed data on crime trends to inform strategic planning and resource allocation for prevention efforts.
- Conducted training sessions for staff and community members on effective crime deterrence strategies.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to foster community engagement in prevention activities.
- Improved outreach efforts by forging partnerships with local schools, businesses, and organizations.
African American Community Advisory Council Chair
Community Volunteer
Seattle, WA
10.2011 - 03.2017
- Developed educational materials to inform community members about available support services.
- Engaged diverse populations through targeted communication strategies and outreach efforts.
Domestic Violence Advocate – Victim Support Team
Seattle Police Department, Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Provided specialized support and assistance to SPD during instances of emergency calls relating to domestic violence. Responded to emergency calls in unmarked vehicle, to deescalate situations and remove victim without further incident. Interacted with victim to offer resources, shelter, food, clothing, and transportation to support immediate and long-term safety and security needs. Assessed time spent by Officers responding to calls, victim reports, and information provided at time of call. Determined additional Victim Support Team resources that fit victim needs.
- Successfully completed 50 hours of specialized training to obtain Certified Crime Victim Support Person designation.
- Leveraged knowledge and understanding of court orders and jail-inmate verification systems and processes.
- Compiled thorough debriefing report following every call, encompassing resources provided, victim feedback, and recommended follow-up actions.
- Contacted victims on monthly basis following emergency call to assess if additional support required.
Education
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice
Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA01.2015
Professional Certification - Diversity Equality And Inclusion
ECornell College
Virtual04-2022
Skills
- Community Outreach / Engagement
- Strategic Planning & Implementation
- Community Policing & Policies
- Robust Program Management
- Resource Allocation
- Collaborative Leadership
- Community & Public Relations
- Relationship Management
- Creative Problem Resolution
- Advisory Board Collaboration
- Organizational skills
- Reliability
- Public speaking
- Event planning
- Thought leadership
Accomplishments
- Widely regarded as Trusted Advisor within greater Seattle community; frequently sought out to provide resources and/or service recommendations, due to building relationships across all community members based on trust.
- Entrusted by Police and community officials to serve as Liaison; clearly convey needs and concerns from the prospective of both community and police to create space for open, respectful, and constructive dialogue aimed at enhancing overall community.
- Spearheaded numerous programs and initiatives with enterprise and/or community-wide scope and impact; successfully planned all aspects of program development and implemented, engaged with key stakeholders to resolve concerns, and continuously monitor effectiveness, in order to identify future areas of improvement.
Affiliations
- Member, FBI Seattle Citizens Academy Alumni (2011 – Present)
- Member, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) (2015 – Present)
- Associate Member, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Washington State Chapter – Region VI and National Chapter (2016 – Present)
- Member, Capitol Hill Housing Association (2017 – Present)
- Member, National Citizen Police Academy Association (2018 – Present)
- Representative, NOBLE Capitol Chapter (2019 – Present)
- Member, Seattle University Criminal Justice Advisory Board (2019 – Present)
- Community Ambassador, The Tabernacle Community (2019 – Present)
- Member, Rainier Beach Youth Coalition (2019 – Present)
- Rotarian, Rotary Club (2020 – Present)
- Member, Youth and Law Forum and Planning Committee (2020 – Present)
- Subject Matter Expert – Community Engagement, Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance (CRI-TAC) (2020 – Present)
Certification
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) – Advocate for kids in Foster Care, King County Dependency (2014)
- Certified Crime Victim Support Team – Seattle Police Department (2014)
- Certified Medical Auditor, National Association of Medical Auditors
Timeline
Community Relations Supervisor
Washington State Office of Independent Investigations
09.2024 - Current
Director of Community Outreach
City of Seattle Community Police Commission
03.2021 - 07.2024
Subject Matter Expert
Felicia Cross Consulting, LLC
03.2020 - Current
Community Outreach Program Manager – Panning & Development Specialist II
Seattle Police Department (SPD), Seattle, WA
03.2018 - 03.2020
Crime Prevention Coordinator
Seattle Police Department
03.2017 - 03.2018
Domestic Violence Advocate – Victim Support Team
Seattle Police Department, Seattle, WA
01.2012 - 01.2014
African American Community Advisory Council Chair
Community Volunteer
10.2011 - 03.2017
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice
Highline Community College
Professional Certification - Diversity Equality And Inclusion
ECornell College
Professional Training
- The 21st Century Police Executive Leadership Challenge, Becoming an Authentic Leader – Hajir Nuriddin, 2019
- National Citizen’s Police Academy Associate Conference, 2019
- NOBLE Region VI Training, 2018
- National Center for Biomedical Research Training, 2018
- NOBLE Winter CEO Symposium, 2017
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, 2017
- Washington State Crime Prevention Association, 2017
- Crisis Intervention Training – Seattle Police Department, 2017
- Women on the Rise Leadership Conference, 2016
- Hate Crimes Conference – Seattle Police Department, 2016
- NOBLE National Leadership Conference, 2015 – 2019
- Diversity Leadership – NAVOS Mental Health, 2015
- Consent Decree – Seattle Police Department Consortium 20/20, 2012
- Race: The Power of an Illusion – Seattle Police Department, 2012 and 2010
- FBI Community Policing Academy, 2011
Additional Experience
- Life-long dedicated member of Seattle Central Area Community.
- Experience working with family run non-profit for many years with the African American Business Directory and Clean Green Organic Farm and Market, providing fresh fruit and vegetables at markets throughout the community.
- Reliable connector of resources to meet community members needs.
- Experience creating policies and procedures, as well as workflows and job descriptions.
- Experience serving on countless advisory boards and commissions