George L. Gasson III
Bremerton,Washington
Summary
Dedicated professional with 20+ years protecting vulnerable populations through investigative, supervisory, advocacy, and caregiving roles in correctional and Adult Protective Services settings. Direct experience conducting investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and civil rights violations for vulnerable adults, including face-to-face interviews, risk assessments, crisis intervention, evidence documentation, and collaboration with law enforcement, judicial entities, medical/mental health professionals, and community agencies. Currently holds conditional approval from the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) for Certified Professional Guardian and Conservator (CPGC) status, pending completion of the University of Washington (UW) Guardianship Certificate Program. Seeking Guardian ad Litem (GAL), Certified Professional Guardian and Conservator (CPGC), or Investigator positions focused on vulnerable adults, guardianship/conservatorship, and protective services.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Adult Protective Services Investigator
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Bremerton , WA
07.2025 - Current
- Conducts investigations into allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults in community settings, including private residences and unregulated environments.
- Performs unannounced home visits, face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, perpetrators, collateral contacts, and witnesses to gather evidence, assess credibility, evaluate risks (cognition, physical/mental/functional abilities), and determine findings.
- Collects, reviews, and evaluates relevant information (medical, psychological, legal, and observational) to make timely decisions on investigations, services, outcomes, and protective interventions.
- Documented all investigative activities electronically using DSHS systems, ensuring compliance with state regulations, policies, and legal standards.
- Collaborates with law enforcement, judicial entities, families, healthcare providers, community agencies, and other DSHS divisions to coordinate services, report criminal activity, and advocate for client safety and dignity.
- Offers and arranges protective services, provide crisis intervention, client advocacy, and referrals to appropriate resources for at-risk vulnerable adults.
- Maintains composure in high-stakes, crisis situations while making quick, decisive judgments to prioritize personal and client safety.
Corrections Officer to Investigator / Multiple Supervisory & Specialized Roles
Washington State Department of Corrections
Various Facilities, USA
07.2005 - 07.2025
- Served in progressive roles including Corrections Officer, Sergeant, Unit Supervisor, Safety Coordinator, Facility Performance Coordinator, Resolution Specialist, mediator, and Investigator (15+ years in investigative/coordination capacities).
- Conducted in-depth investigations of administrative allegations, prison rape/sexual assault claims, and Resolution Requests (RRs/civil rights grievances) from intake to resolution, ensuring compliance with RCW/WAC, policy, legal standards, and Attorney General/court review.
- Performed face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, perpetrators, collateral contacts, and incarcerated individuals in secure, residential, and varied settings to gather evidence, assess credibility, and evaluate risks/behaviors.
- Collected, evaluated, and documented complex information (medical, psychological, behavioral, and legal) to support decisions on safety, sanctions, services, and outcomes; maintained comprehensive electronic records across multiple departmental systems.
- Collaborated extensively with mental health professionals, substance abuse practitioners, classification counselors, and community partners to develop life plans, support recovery (substance abuse, violence/trauma via Beyond Violence Program), and promote post-incarceration success in education, employment, and independent living.
- Provided crisis intervention, de-escalation, anger management coaching, conflict resolution, and behavioral counseling to individuals with cognitive, emotional, or assaultive challenges; remained calm and decisive in high-risk situations to ensure personal and community safety.
- Managed therapeutic community (TC) substance abuse programs, counseling practitioners and participants on difficult situations and recovery strategies.
- Oversaw housing assignments and protocols for at-risk individuals with violent histories or behavioral concerns to prevent harm, exploitation, abuse, or self-neglect.
- Adjudicated infractions as Unit/Hearings Sergeant, imposing equitable sanctions while encouraging behavioral change; prepared for and contributed to administrative/legal proceedings.
- Developed policies, procedures, operational memorandums, safety protocols, training curricula, and schedules for units of 110+ individuals and 130 staff; enforced regulations through inspections and reporting.
- Trained and supervised staff on respectful treatment, well-being environments, and observation to prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation.
Volunteer & Committee Leadership
Washington State Department of Corrections
- Chaired Safety Committee (8 years): Led initiatives to enhance safe environments for staff and incarcerated individuals.
- Member, Residential Advisory Committee (15 years): Collaborated with incarcerated leadership to resolve issues, modify policies, and address needs/changes.
- Member, Local Security Advisory Committee (13 years), Diversity Committee (5 years), and Staff Wellness Committee (8 years): Promoted equity, inclusion, wellness, and systemic improvements.
Representative Payee & Family Caregiver
- Served as Representative Payee for multiple clients for 7 years: Managed finances, ensured needs were met, and advocated for benefits/compliance.
- Primary Caretaker for mother with Friedreich’s Ataxia (wheelchair-bound; 2005–2019, 14+ years) and brother with same condition (2010–2024, 14+ years): Coordinated medical care, daily support, crisis response, and long-term planning for vulnerable adults with progressive disabilities.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
University of Phoenix
01.2005
Skills
- Investigative interviewing
- Evidence evaluation
- Risk assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Client advocacy
- Protective services referral
- Family support
- Policy development
- Procedure development
- Regulatory compliance
- Testimony preparation
- Fiduciary responsibility
- Financial management
- Behavioral counseling
- Conflict resolution
- De-escalation
Certifications Professional Status
- Conditional Approval – Certified Professional Guardian and Conservator (CPGC), Granted by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) / Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board; pending completion of University of Washington Guardianship Certificate Program (fulfills mandatory training requirements for full certification).
- Extensive Department of Corrections training transcripts, investigations, supervision, safety, behavioral health, de-escalation, and more – attached/available.
References
References and supporting documentation (transcripts, performance evaluations, conditional approval letter) available upon request.
Fiduciary Caregiving Experience
- Representative Payee, 7 years, Managed finances, ensured needs were met, and advocated for benefits/compliance.
- Primary Caretaker, 14 years, Caretaker for mother with Friedreich’s Ataxia (wheelchair-bound; 2005–2019) and brother with same condition (2010–2024): Coordinated medical care, daily support, crisis response, and long-term planning for vulnerable adults with progressive disabilities.
Volunteer Committee Leadership
- Chaired Safety Committee, 8 years, Led initiatives to enhance safe environments for staff and incarcerated individuals.
- Member, Residential Advisory Committee, 15 years, Collaborated with incarcerated leadership to resolve issues, modify policies, and address needs/changes.
- Member, Local Security Advisory Committee, 13 years, Promoted equity, inclusion, wellness, and systemic improvements.
- Member, Diversity Committee, 5 years, Promoted equity, inclusion, wellness, and systemic improvements.
- Member, Staff Wellness Committee, 8 years, Promoted equity, inclusion, wellness, and systemic improvements.
Timeline
Adult Protective Services Investigator
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
07.2025 - Current
Corrections Officer to Investigator / Multiple Supervisory & Specialized Roles
Washington State Department of Corrections
07.2005 - 07.2025
Volunteer & Committee Leadership
Washington State Department of Corrections
Representative Payee & Family Caregiver
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
University of Phoenix