Dennis Gomez
Dennis Gomez is a retired Police Lieutenant who spent his career with the Orange Police Department. Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from California State Long Beach. The majority of his career has been with Investigations including a special detail with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles Field Division.
Dennis worked a variety of assignments and during his time was instrumental in several high-profile investigations that led to the arrest and conviction of multiple homicide suspects. This includes a case that was featured on Dateline NBC and other television networks outside the country. In addition, Dennis spent time working Internal Affairs assigned to the office of the Chief of Police. His experience in risk management, operations, critical incident planning and workforce development have positioned him well for his role as a BATI instructor.
Dennis joined BATI to share his experiences and knowledge with various types of investigators. The BATI method, established in1985, is taught throughout California, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada.
In 2024, Dennis became the Owner / Director of Behavior Analysis Training, Inc., after the retirement of Rich Kimball.
Richard Kimball
Rich Kimball retired from Law Enforcement as the the Undersheriff of Nevada County Sheriff's Department in 2011. Rich's career started as a Reserve with Atherton PD in 1977. Rich then was hired full time at Santa Cruz Sheriff shortly after that. Rich transferred to the Sacramento Police Department in the 1980's and eventually retired in 2011 from Nevada County Sheriff. Rich has an excess of 34 years in some capacity involving law enforcement. Among many years as an Investigator, Rich also was a Swat Team Leader, FTO, Personnel and Training Sergeant, Internal Affairs Investigator, Jail Lieutenant and an Undersheriff.
Rich was assigned to investigation at all three departments during his career working some major Homicide cases, Child Abuse/Molest Unit, Gang Unit and Narcotics Unit. He has testified in Court as an expert witness in many cases. Rich was a BATI student himself and credits closing his cases to the BATI technique.
Rich has a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master Degree in Business Management. Rich started teaching for BATI in 2011. Rich also teaches the Forensic Written Statement Analysis & Cognitive Interview Training.
In 2017, Rich became the President/Owner of Behavioral Analysis Training Inc. after Nick Flint retired from BATI.
Loren Cattolico
Loren retired as a Police Chief with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He worked for several years as an investigator and his assignments included property crimes, narcotics, crimes against person and sex crimes.
Loren has been involved in some major narcotic cases in his career and a major kidnapping case. After promoting, Loren returned to supervise these divisions as as Sergeant and as a Lieutenant. Lcren finished his career as a Chief for a city agency in Sacramento County.
Loren possesses an adult education lifetime teaching credential and has over 23 years experience teaching law enforcement in P.O.S.T. settings. Since retirement, Loren has worked exclusively since 2012 and has taught the Investigative Interview and Interrogation Class throughout California.
Ron Gilbert
Ron Gilbert has over 30 years of law enforcement experience and has been teaching BATI since 1997. Ron retired from Los Angeles County Sheriff as a Lieutenant. During his tenure with the LASD, he was a Field Training Officer, a station level investigator, an academy instructor, an Analytical Interview Instructor and oversaw the FTO program.
Ron has testified before the California Senate's Public Safety Commission and was on the committee for POST that developed the Supervisory Development Guide.
As a Sergeant Ron worked as patrol and administrative Sergeant, a Department Advocate and was a graduate from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. As a Lieutenant, Ron oversaw the units that administered multimillion dollar Inmate Welfare Fund.
Ron received the prestigious Footprint Association's Peace Officer of the Year Award and was awarded the departments Medal of Valor Award.
Rudy Negron
Rudy has over 28 years in law enforcement before retiring honorably from Garden Grove Police Department in 2018.
During his career Rudy's primary assignment was uniformed patrol. He also worked as an FTO, Street gangs/Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG) intel, Mental Health Team and POST Instructor. As an Instructor Rudy has received 8 letters of commendations for his training.
During his tenure working Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Intel, Rudy took part in a major OMG takedown in 2011of one of the Big 3 OMG's in California. Rudy took the lead in preventing a major Los Angeles based OMG from setting up a chapter in Garden Grove.
Rudy took part in several OMG related shootings, an attempted murder and homicide investigation that resulted in the defendant being convicted and sentenced to life.
Rudy has been a guest speaker at numerous law enforcement associations, law enforcement conferences, from Texas to Hawaii as well as police and sheriff departments throughout Southern California.
Career Bio
- Garden Grove Police Department (retired 2018)
- 28 Years in Law Enforcement
Assignments have included:
- Field Training Officer
- Assistant Reserve Officer Coordinator
- Bicycle Patrol
- Street Gang / Outlaw Biker Intell
- Mental Health Team
- State P.O.S.T. Certified Trainer
Guest Speaker For:
- California Background Investigators Conference
- California Gang Investigators Association Conference
- California Gang Task Force Association
- California Narcotics Officer Association
- California Peace Officer Association
- Kansas Narcotics Officers Association Conference
- Law Enforcement Intelligence Analyst National Conference
- Riverside County Gang Investigators Conference
- Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators Conference
- U.S. Marine Corps / NCIS
- Western States Auto Theft Investigators Conference (CA and HI)
- Western States Biker Investigator Conference
- Numerous Police and Sheriffs Departments
Primary Assignment: Uniform Patrol Secondary Assignment: Biker Intell Since 2004
Steve Whiddon
Steve is currently a Sgt. with Murrieta Police Department. During 24 years as a police officer, developed and demonstrated skills as an instructor with an emphasis in Interview and Interrogation. In addition, educational accomplishments and possession of an Advanced California POST Certificate provide a solid basis of theories and trends for 21st century law enforcement.
- Seven years of investigations experience
- Testified as an expert witness in Federal and California State court cases involving sex crimes, child abuse, and narcotics sales cases, possession of machine guns and possession / manufacturing of suppressors/silencers. Testified before the Grand Jury on a kidnapping, sexual assault case.
- Over 24 years of experience in law enforcement
- Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigations; Advanced Certification in Homicide / Murder
- Extensive experience in Elder Abuse Investigations
- Extensive experience in interviewing elder abuse victims who suffer from dementia and other cognitive mental health issues
- Worked with Geriatric Doctor Expert Witnesses to assist with prosecution of Elder Abuse cases
- Academy Instructor Certified (AICC)
- Federal and State Court recognized expert in numerous investigative fields
- As an Investigator, conducted numerous high profile investigations which included homicides, Officer Involved Shootings (OIS) and have been a part of Riverside County District Attorney Office Staffing / meetings for homicide and other sensitive cases
- Written and Served over 300 search warrants, arrest warrants
Jeff Hedtke
Jeff began his career with the Corona Police Department in 1996 and retired in December 2021. Jeff earned his degree in Administration of Justice from California Baptist University and, in addition to several years as a patrol officer, has worked numerous assignments and ancillary duties.
Jeff has worked as an FTO, in Investigations, as a School Resource Officer, he ran the department’s CalGRIP (Gang Resistance/Intervention Program) Program and was the department’s Training Coordinator for 3-years.
Jeff is a POST certified instructor and has taught Strategic Communication, Principled Policing/Procedural Justice, LGBTQ+ Awareness for Law Enforcement, Racial Profiling, Use of Force/AB392 Updates, Crisis Intervention Training and POST Driving Updates.
Jeff has received several acknowledgements and awards during his law enforcement career including the 2015 Riverside County Law Enforcement Appreciation Committee’s (LEAC) award for Excellence in Community Service and the department’s Star of Courage for a 2004 OIS he was involved in.
Craig Denton
Craig retired as a Captain from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. During his career, he worked a variety of assignments including, Patrol, FTO, Investigations, Custody, Internal Affairs, Transportation, Office of Emergency Services, and Homeland Security. Craig worked several years as an investigator assigned to the Major Crimes Unit and then later as an Internal Affairs Sergeant. In addition, he supervised investigative teams in the jails and the Civil Bureau. Craig has a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management and spent several years instructing for his former agency..
Rhonda Cleggett
Rhonda Cleggett has over 30 years in law enforcement and honorably retired from Fullerton Police Department in 2018. During her career, her assignments have included: Patrol, FTO, General Investigations, Crimes against Family and Children, Narcotics/Vice, SWAT operator-sniper, CNT Supervisor/negotiator, Patrol Supervisor, Internal Affairs, Patrol Watch Commander, Traffic Division Commander, K-9 Unit Manager, Operations and Support Services Division Commanders.
Rhonda has worked for more than 11 years in an investigatory capacity. She has testified as an expert witness in California State Court cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, and narcotics sales cases. She has instructed on various topics including Internal Investigations and Liability, Disciplinary Process and Liability, Report Writing, Leadership and Accountability, and Understanding Officer Use of Force.
Rhonda has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration-Organizational Leadership.
Carl Whitney
Carl began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a police cadet with Garden Grove Police Department. Carl has over 30 years of law enforcement experience and rose through the ranks retiring as lieutenant in 2021.
Carl had a remarkably diverse career working many assignments that included FTO, Motor Officer, SWAT officer, undercover detective, homicide detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. While working homicide as a detective and detective sergeant he was involved in many high-profile homicide cases which allowed him to track down and arrest international fugitives.
Carl has taught for many years covering a variety of topics that included field training, police motorcycle instruction, SWAT breaching, defensive tactics, and academy training at Golden West College. Carl possesses a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. He has an interest in technology and possess a cybersecurity certificate from Cypress College.
Carl has been recognized as Officer of Year, received several auto theft recovery awards, received the Boy Scouts of America Gold Award, received the Anaheim Police Department Life Saving Award, and was the recipient of the Garden Grove Police Department's Medal of Valor.
Hector Garibay
Hector Garibay has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement and retired from the Madera Police Department in November 2022. He served as a police officer, field training officer, gang officer with the Multi-agency Special Investigations Unit, and served 11 years in the Detectives Violent Crimes Unit. His primary caseload is consistent with homicide, gang related shootings, robberies, and other violent crimes including sexual assaults.
His interview and interrogation skills were heavily relied upon to obtain confessions that were critical to his investigations. Hector also served over 18 years as a defensive tactics’ instructor and range master in the Training Division. Hector has been a part of the Bigs in Blue Program for over 5 years and has mentored young adults into the field of law enforcement.
Hector has received the "Shining Star Award" for outstanding service on behalf of the Madera County Victim Service Agency, as well as the "Above and Beyond Award" for his service to victims of domestic violence. Hector was recognized for an outstanding investigation relating to fentanyl overdoses which led to the arrest of multiple drug dealers in the Central Valley. During his career, he was recognized twice as Officer of the Year by his peers. Hector also conducts background investigations for new officers within the Central Valley.
Robert Gonzalez
Robert has over 28 years of law enforcement experience with the Corona Police Department and recently to retired as a Senior Detective in December 2022. In addition to 12 years as a patrol officer, Robert worked as a Detective for 16 years. He ended his career assigned to the Family Services Division which oversees the School Resource Officers.
Robert worked as an FTO, a Hostage Negotiator, a supervisor for the School Resource Officer’s a peer supporter and was the Senior Detective for the department.
Robert handled several high-profile and complex investigations which included white collar crimes, crypto currency, arson, homicides and Officer Involved Shootings. Robert has taught new Detectives about interviewing, Beheler, search warrants,and report writing.
Robert has given active shooter training, identity theft training, and training on the dangers of social media. Robert has received numerous investigative certificates and has taken numerous investigative classes throughout his career. Robert’s new goal is to teach BATI for many years to come.
Michael Schneider
Sgt Michael Schneider was in law enforcement for over 27 years, working as both a deputy sheriff (Solano County [1995-2000] and Contra Costa County [2000-2007]) and a police officer. In 2007, he joined the newly formed San Ramon Police Department and retired in 2023. During his career, he has experience working varied assignments such as Custody, Courts, Patrol, Investigations, and School Resource.
Michael was active in the training program at the San Ramon Police Department as the leader of the Defensive Tactics/ Impact Weapons Team and as a Firearms Instructor. In 2014 he was assigned as a Patrol Field Training Officer until his promotion to Patrol Sergeant in June of 2019. During his tenure in Investigations as the Computer Forensic Detective, he routinely gave presentations to officers regarding electronic evidence collection and internet investigations. He worked closely with the regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, serving search warrants and interviewing suspects. He also taught Internet Safety and Reputation classes to high school students and parent organizations.
Michael obtained his Master's Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego. Michael completed the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training's (POST) Instructor Development Institute (IDI) Advanced Instructor course.
Tommy Alberda
Tommy Alberda began his career in Law Enforcement in 1988 as a reserve police officer with the Kingsburg Police Department. In 1991 he transferred to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, and retired as a patrol Sergeant. Tommy went to work as a Special Investigator with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, where he completed extensive background investigations. Tommy is also an Adjunct Instructor at the State Center
Regional Training Facility (SCRTF).
Tommy had a diverse career working many assignments with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department which included, Court Services, Patrol, Original member of the Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (M.A.G.E.C), Robbery/Burglary Crimes detective, Field Training Officer, ICS team member
and supervisor and Field Patrol Sergeant. His interview and interrogation skills were heavily relied upon to obtain confessions that were critical to his investigations.
Tommy teaches Cognitive Interview and Interrogation for the ICI Core course, along with Basic Gangs at the Police Academy.
Tommy was awarded the 2002 Public Safety Officer of the year, from the Central Valley Safety Society, and the 2020 Employee of the year from the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.
John Samano
John began his career with the Corona Police Department in 1989 and retired honorably in June, 2021. John served as a patrol officer for five years and spent the remainder of his career working in specialized assignments. John has worked as a School Resource Officer, Street level narcotics investigator, as a task force investigator with the California Department of Justice, a Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement investigator with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, a investigator with the Domestic Violence Unit, a task force member of the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force, and was responsible for the Corona police department’s Grand Theft Auto Unit.
In June 2022, he was hired by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office where he spent almost a year working complex real estate fraud investigations. During his tenure with the Corona police department, John’s ancillary duties included being a member of the crisis negotiating team and a media relations officer for 24 years. John has received several acknowledgements and awards during his law enforcement career including the Emergency Merit Award for an OIS in 2015 he was involved in. In 2022, John received the Life Achievement Award for his many years of service.
John has taught other investigators basic investigative techniques to include, report writing, court room testimony and preparing search warrants to name a few. John looks forward to sharing his work experience with others and this is why he has joined the BATI team.