Michelle Sangster
Stanton,TN
Summary
Detail-oriented Investigator with strong leadership skills and history in security management. Offering exceptional communication skills and network of community resources. Well-versed in assisting law enforcement in cases. Dedicated Criminal Investigator focused on keeping general public safe through superior investigation of crimes and offenses. Assists fellow employees, superiors and community leaders in complex investigations of crimes against people, property crimes and organized crime. [Job Title] well-versed in research, analysis and strategic planning. Exceptional leader focused on resolving difficult and cold cases.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST( ABSCONDER UNIT INVESTIGATOR)
STATE OF TENNESSEE
2023.11 - Current
- Attempted/located missing youth who have absconded from DCS custody or supervision by supporting regional staff and reducing the number of youths on the run collaborated and formed professional working relationships with Local, Federal, and State Law Enforcement to locate missing youth documented work completed to locate youth documented efforts to look for youth by entering TFACTS case recordings at least weekly including contacts with law enforcement, family, friends, school personnel, public data base searches and other community partners. actively searched and found absconded youth by following leads, visiting places they may frequent such as family, friends, community locations and schools daily.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Conducted thorough face-to-face interviews with employers, families, neighbors, friends, and suspects, and documented investigative findings.
- Collected, analyzed and interpreted information, documentation, and physical evidence associated with investigations.
- Collected information pertaining to criminal proceedings and performed investigations to resolve cases.
- Collaborated with federal agencies on investigations.
- Interviewed and interrogated suspects.
- Improved case resolution rates by conducting thorough investigations and utilizing effective interviewing techniques.
- Ensured compliance with legal regulations during investigations, minimizing risk for litigation or procedural errors.
UNARMED SECURITY GUARD
ALLIED SECURITY
2023.07 - 2024.04
- Conduct random and regular patrols of premises, report security related incidents, document and complete incident reportsinvestigating breaches of property, utilize security procedures that will deter and prevent crimeutilize verbal de-escalation, problem solving, monitor camera systems, and utilize appropriate emergency response when needed
SPED ASSISTANT
SYCAMORE ELEMENTARY (COLLIERVILLE SCHOOLS)
2023.09 - 2023.11
- Assisted students, teachers, and others as directedassisted students with toileting, feeding, and any other special needsadministered, scored, and recorded such achievements and diagnostic tests as recommended by the teacheroperated and cared for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposesdistributed and collect workbooks, papers, and other materials for instructionassisted with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field tripschecked notebooks, correct papers, and supervise testing and makeup work as assignedworked with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skillsknowledgeable of and followed all safety rules and procedures
ARMED SECURITY GAURD
INNER PARISH SECURITY COMPANY
2023.04 - 2023.05
- Conduct random and regular patrols of premises, report security related incidents, document and complete incident reportsinvestigating breaches of property, utilize security procedures that will deter and prevent crimeutilized verbal de-escalation, problem solving, monitor camera systems, and utilize appropriate emergency response when needed
DCS SECURITY LIEUTENANT
STATE OF TENNESSEE
2005.09 - 2023.05
- Support senior managers to manage security and fire operations for DCS facility for fire inspections, and emergency support.
- Managed a team of security officers, providing effective leadership and supervision to ensure optimal performance.
- Responded swiftly yet effectively under pressure when faced with unexpected challenges arising from fast-paced or rapidly evolving situations.
- Conducted thorough investigations of security breaches, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Created detailed reports documenting any suspicious activity or threats for further investigation by relevant authorities as needed.
- Enhanced security measures by suggesting the implementation of new surveillance equipment and monitoring systems.
- Improved communication between team members through regular briefings and debriefings, fostering an environment of teamwork and collaboration.
- Spearheaded initiatives aimed at increasing employee awareness about potential risks within their work environment through educational seminars or workshops.
- Evaluated current security protocols, recommending updates when necessary to maintain the highest level of protection possible.
- Coordinated large-scale event security operations, ensuring public safety while minimizing disruptions to normal activities.
- Maintained a consistently high level of vigilance while on duty, contributing to a notable reduction in security incidents during tenure as Security Lieutenant.
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration on matters related to physical site vulnerabilities which may have otherwise gone unnoticed had they remained isolated within siloed teams.
- Handled sensitive situations diplomatically during emergencies or high-stress circumstances involving both employees and visitors alike.
- Reduced safety incidents by conducting regular risk assessments and addressing potential hazards promptly.
- Collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to share information and strengthen security efforts.
- Provided timely reports on safety incidents and recommended appropriate actions to prevent recurrence.
- Recorded incident reports with detailed accounts of occurrences.
- Conducted regular patrols of facility to detect and deter security threats.
- Oversaw team of security officers and managed scheduling and performance evaluations.
- Supervised and evaluated security staff performance to determine compliance with safety regulations.
- Prepared and submitted reports to keep management informed of security activities and developments.
- Coordinated with security personnel or other departments to establish safety of visitors and staff.
- Developed and implemented strategies to prevent and respond to security incidents.
- Collaborated with management to develop security policies and procedures.
- Screened vendors and contractors before granting access to restricted areas within mall.
- Analyzed and investigated incidents alongside functional management and security supervisors.
- Conducted frequent security audits to identify potential problems related to physical security, staff safety, and asset protection.
- Monitored and approved access control systems for accessibility to authorized personnel.
- Developed and implemented security policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for operations and maintain quality standards.
- Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate welcoming atmosphere while making safety top priority.
- Responded quickly to emergency situations to assess and deflect issues.
- Examined doors, windows and gates to verify security.
- Communicated with security team and building supervisors using two-way radios, mobile phones and other technological devices.
- Updated shift logs and produced daily reports to document security activities and specific incidents.
- Patrolled internal building spaces and facility grounds to identify and deter threats to assets.
- Secured premises and personnel by patrolling property and monitoring surveillance equipment.
- Investigated suspicious activities and persons to maintain security of premises.
- Enforced security policies and removed violators and unauthorized individuals from premises to maintain safe environment.
- Wrote detailed reports of all security breaches and investigations.
- Worked independently and collaboratively to resolve urgent issues to protect lives and property.
- Acted as deterrent to prevent criminal actions, vandalism and misconduct to allow business to conduct operations in safe environment.
- Gathered information, identified, and implemented resolution, planned follow-up and logged and filed incident report to successfully manage complaints.
- Recorded observations and occurrences and interviewed witnesses to complete and submit incident report.
- Operated handheld metal detector and other surveillance devices to screen individuals entering facility.
- Inspected and adjusted security systems, equipment and machinery to maximize coverage of parking lots and building interior and exterior.
- Leveraged physical or verbal techniques to investigate suspicious activities and resolve concerns.
- Conducted training sessions for new security personnel to facilitate compliance with security protocols.
- Mentored junior staff members in proper protocol execution, boosting overall team competence levels significantly over time.
- Supervised access control for facilities, ensuring only authorized personnel were granted entry.
- Trained new hires in security procedures, ensuring consistent adherence to company policies and best practices.
- Participate as a security subject matter expert for new hires (administration) to provide guidance and security input.
- Assist the security management and the fire safety officer with oversight for physical security and fire/water systems, as required.
- Developed and instructed monthly security awareness communication meetings to be provided to employees and new hires.
- Conduct risk assessments of buildings to determine needs and completed reports for senior managers.
- May perform the role of Incident the Security Manager for fire, medical, or behavioral emergencies in the facility (in his/her absence).
- Respond to behavioral situations and emergencies as needed and escalate appropriately to the Senior managers by phone and in writing through an incident report.
- Actively participate as a member of the All Available Response team during an escalated event.
- Managed and resolved escalated issues with the visitors and staff.
- Enhance emergency response capabilities by utilizing incident response tools and through the deployment of emergency response equipment for the company or local municipalities.
- Collaborate with Central Office Senior Staff to discuss and resolve workplace security issues.
- Identified and escalated physical security gaps through proactive security initiatives and proactive suggestions.
- Maintain strong relationships with internal skill teams to ensure unified alignment with all security and fire related matters.
- Collaborate with appropriate internal supervision teams from each department and external work partners to plan for and provide security coverage for special events for the adjudicated youth.
- Tracked data to influence decision making and security strategies.
- Provided statements and assistance to law enforcement agents when needed. completed timesheets/payroll, approved/denied leave, completed staff's monthly/yearly evaluations supervised approximately 30 youth service officers, sergeants, and corporals anticipated staff shortages and assigned staff to posts according to institutional needs authorized the use of confinement for youth for disruptive behavior created/conducted back to the basic training for security staff (new hires/yearly in-service) prepared/documented reports (facility incident reports, disciplinary reports, physical restraint reports, medical emergencies, collateral info) assisted treatment staff with enforcing coping skills and life skills for (male) juvenile offenders (with mental disabilities/behavior issues) and provided verbal or physical de-escalation for disruptive/irate youth assisted senior managers with retention meetings to assist with strategies to decrease staff turn-over observed and identified security breaches, conducted physical security and risk vulnerability inspections, evaluated and provided recommendations for security improvement, monitored camera systems investigated and evaluated information through staff and youth interviews, witness statements, and video observation (camera) to determine a need for an (immediate)temporary staff reassignments or youth separation addressed and resolves youth and/or staff conflicts immediately before situations escalate ensured visitation procedures were implemented properly by staff and ensured vendors are authorized and that tool checks were conducted consulted/communicated with outside law enforcement officials regarding institution incident operated the facility COC phones and security gates, verified/conducted youth counts recorded by the Central Operations Center and transported juvenile offenders to court appointments, medical appointments, and review boards communicated institutional needs to staff throughout a shift and advised superiors of events that required immediate attention
Education
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Jackson State Community College
Jackson, TN06.2025
High School Diploma -
Haywood High School
Brownsville, TN06.1996
Skills
- Decision Making/Problem Solving
- Identifying Conflicts/Verbal De-escalation
- Customer Service/Supervision and Management/Investigating/Apprehension
- Detailed report writing
- Interview techniques
- Research abilities
- Ethical and honest
- Risk Assessment
Trainings Certificates
- Hostage Negotiator (TCA Academy) Instructor Holiday, 2007
- T for T (TCA Academy) Instructor Crownover, 2009
- CPR and First Aid (State of Tennessee) Instructor Sean Scott, 2023
Awards Promotions
- 2011-2016, Appointed/Served in four (acting) positions, administrative secretary assistant, substitute teacher, media specialist/librarian, and youth service officer
- 2014-2019, Appointed as an (unofficial) assistant to the Training Specialist, provided hands on training for new officers, developed a back to the basic training, and created a knowledge-based quiz for new hires to determine their understanding and knowledge of the material
- 2018-present, Promoted from Youth Services Officer to Youth Services Lieutenant
- 9/2020, 3/2021, 8/2021, 12/2022, Employee of the Month
- 12/2021, Nominated for Employee of the Year
References
- Clarence Howell (retired-former supervisor), Chowell40@outlook.com, 9016875182, Stafford Drive, Somerville, Tn, 38068
- Emily Harville (retired-former supervisor), harville8602@gmail.com, 9014878656, 25 Jefferson Drive, Somerville, Tn, 38068
- Lesley Murrell(former supervisor), LCMurrell70@yahoo.com, 9019490804, 5089 Kennect Ct, Memphis, TN, 38141
- Gregory Jackson(family friend), GregJackson2074@yahoo.com, 305 Ervin Lane, Bolivar, TN, 38008
- Keith Waldron(former co-worker), 9015344625, 5410 Williston, TN, 38076
- Vivian Hobson (former supervisor), Vivian.Hobson@tn.gov, 9016059079, 75 Abbey Road, Oakland, Tn, 38060
Timeline
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST( ABSCONDER UNIT INVESTIGATOR)
STATE OF TENNESSEE
2023.11 - Current
SPED ASSISTANT
SYCAMORE ELEMENTARY (COLLIERVILLE SCHOOLS)
2023.09 - 2023.11
UNARMED SECURITY GUARD
ALLIED SECURITY
2023.07 - 2024.04
ARMED SECURITY GAURD
INNER PARISH SECURITY COMPANY
2023.04 - 2023.05
DCS SECURITY LIEUTENANT
STATE OF TENNESSEE
2005.09 - 2023.05
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Jackson State Community College
High School Diploma -
Haywood High School