Heather Gaffney
Poncha Springs ,CO
Summary
I have worked in the law enforcement field for the past 18 years, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I started as a police, fire, and medical dispatcher. After being a dispatcher for some time, I knew my eventual goal was to be a police officer. I obtained that goal in 2018 when I graduated from the Colorado Springs Police Department Academy. I spent approximately 2 1/2-3 years on patrol at the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Loveland (Colorado) Police Department. During my time on patrol at Loveland Police Department my sergeants approved for me to work several felony-level cases as they knew my intention was to eventually be promoted to investigations. During this time I investigated felony assault, stalking, sexual offenses, and felony-level property crimes. I was able to follow these cases through and file these cases with the Larimer County District Attorney. In November of 2022, I was offered a position as a Criminal Investigator II with the Office of the Inspector General - Colorado Department of Corrections. I took this position for the furtherance of my career to get more investigative experience to one day promote my dream career with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. During the past year I have filed several felony-level assault cases, an attempted murder case, and felony-level sex offenses, and I am currently working on a COCCA case involving drug distribution and money laundering. In my current position, I have also investigated several Professional Standards/ Internal Affairs cases that included discrimination and sexual harassment. I am honored to do what I do every day and have a passion for investigations that continues to grow. I would love the opportunity to be able to work for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Criminal Investigator II
Office Of The Inspector General
11.2022 - Current
- Gathered facts from interviews of suspects, witnesses, complainants, and confidential sources.
- Coordinate facility drug interdictions and provide matrix supervision of assigned facility staff.
- Conduct surveillance and supervise and/or participate in undercover operations, and intelligence gathering, as well as assisting other agencies with these operations.
- Obtain court orders for the collection of non-testimonial evidence and other related seizures.
- Inventory and secure items seized during search warrants and during routine collection of crime scene evidence and create exhibits for court proceedings.
- Delivered calm, professional testimony to support case evidence, establish timelines, and offer law enforcement expertise.
- Followed constitutional standards to properly obtain and execute warrants for arrests and searches.
- Identified witnesses and collected statements to gather information and pursue remedies for violations of legal standards.
- Marked off crime scenes and controlled access to protect evidence from tampering or loss.
- Prepare investigative reports and legal documentation.
- Investigate criminal cases as well as internal affairs cases.
Police Officer
Loveland Police Department
03.2021 - 10.2022
- Secured crime scenes, gathered evidence, and questioned witnesses.
- Talked regularly with citizens to establish rapport and become a familiar presence in the area.
- Investigated and reported crimes, accidents, offenses, and damage to property.
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine the best course of action.
- Answered non-emergent and emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
- Investigated several misdemeanor and felony cases and filed them with the Larimer County District Attorney.
Police and Fire Dispatcher
Colorado Springs Police Department
01.2007 - 03.2021
- Assessed emergency requests and made quick judgment calls to determine appropriate action.
- Followed established protocols for professional handling of emergency situations.
- Received public emergency and non-emergency calls and supervised response prioritization in order to effectively dispatch official units such as police, fire, and EMS while tracking data in real-time environments.
- Dispatched and coordinated emergency services teams according to high-priority calls.
- Recorded and tracked emergency requests utilizing computer-aided dispatch systems.
- Directed responders using assigned mapping systems for timely emergency attendance.
- Answered non-emergent phone lines and 911.
Police Officer
Colorado Springs Police Department
03.2018 - 04.2019
- Secured crime scenes, gathered evidence, and questioned witnesses.
- Talked regularly with citizens to establish rapport and become familiar presence in area.
- Investigated and reported crimes, accidents, offenses, and damage to property.
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
- Enforced traffic laws and ordinances through visual observation and radar speed detection.
- Conducted preliminary investigations at scenes of major crimes.
- Apprehended offenders and conducted interviews and interrogations.
- Handled citation and traffic violation paperwork.
- Rendered aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
- Conducted searches of individuals, vehicles and premises.
- Participated in continuous firearms proficiency, defensive driving and arrest technique training.
- Provided testimony in court proceedings.
- Identified, pursued and arrested suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide assistance to citizens in need.
- Monitored criminal activity in the community to identify suspicious activity.
- Recorded facts to prepare reports documenting incidents and activities.
- Issued traffic citations and electronic tickets for violations of traffic laws.
- Apprehended suspects, read Miranda Rights, and transported offenders to jail.
- Gathered necessary information for court appearances and testified as a witness under oath in court.
Police, Fire and Medical Dispatcher
Teller County Sheriff Office
10.2005 - 01.2007
- Answered non-emergent and 911 calls for service.
- Dispatched police, fired and medical units to calls for service.
- Checked subjects for wants/warrants.
- Multi-tasking by answering phone lines, dispatching calls for service, and gathering information from CCIC/NCIS databases at the same time.
- Mapped location for responders to get to the scene taking the fastest route.
- Worked on major incidents in the command center including forest fires and drowning/body recovery incidents.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminology
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Pueblo, CO05.2023
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO 06.2007
Skills
- Report Preparation
- Interrogation Skills
- Evidence Processing
- Crime Scene Photography
- Interviewing Witnesses
- COCCA case investigations
- Major drug investigations
- Felony assault/attempted murder investigations
- Stalking case investigations
- Felony possession/introduction of contraband investigations
- Felony sexual offense cases
Timeline
Criminal Investigator II
Office Of The Inspector General
11.2022 - Current
Police Officer
Loveland Police Department
03.2021 - 10.2022
Police Officer
Colorado Springs Police Department
03.2018 - 04.2019
Police and Fire Dispatcher
Colorado Springs Police Department
01.2007 - 03.2021
Police, Fire and Medical Dispatcher
Teller County Sheriff Office
10.2005 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Criminology
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Pikes Peak Community College
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