Technical Consultants:
Rich Williams
CSI, Student Union
Alex Volfson
UTD Web Services
Nika Nestor
UTD Web Services
Site Designer and Consultant:
Roger Stearns
UTDPD Web Team:
Asst.Chief Debra Marable
Corporal Misty Boyd
TCO Kevin Grubbs
Staff Profiles
Chief Colleen Ridge
Chief Ridge began her law enforcement career in 1978 at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Chief Ridge was promoted to Sergeant in 1989. While working at Eastern Michigan University, Chief Ridge obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Administration and her Master's Degree in Emergency Management. Chief Ridge is a graduate of the Northwestern Police Leadership Command & Staff College as well as the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute Chief of Police Training Series.
Chief Ridge was selected as the University of Texas at Dallas Chief of Police in August of 1997. She is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and participates in the IACP College & University Police Section. Additionally, she is a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and serves on the IACLEA Award and Scholarship Committee.
Furthermore, Chief Ridge serves on the National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee and is an Instructor at the National Exploring Conferences and National Explorer Leadership Academies. Chief Ridge was a Police Explorer in Milan, Michigan from 1972-1978. Chief Ridge is very supportive and proud of the UTD Police Explorer Program for all of their hard work and accomplishments.
Chief Ridge has worked hard to implement a vision and philosophy of community oriented and problem solving policing at the UT Dallas Police Department. Under Chief Ridge's administration the UT Dallas Police Department has successfully grown and developed into a modern law enforcement agency with new personnel, facilities, equipment and programs.
Assistant Chief Debra Marable, LCC
Assistant Chief Marable attended Texas A&M University (Gig'em Aggies) at Commerce, where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. Chief Marable also attended and graduated from the police command staff Leadership Command College at Sam Houston State University. She began her career in law enforcement with the UT-Dallas Police Department in 1989. During her time at UT-Dallas, Chief Marable graduated from the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. She was a Patrol Officer and subsequently promoted to Corporal in 1995 and was responsible for Crime Prevention. She was also the Liaison Officer for Student Life. In 1997 she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She became a certified motorcycle officer, and developed and implemented the Motorcycle Unit for the UT-Dallas PD. In 1999, she was promoted to Lieutenant with the responsibilities as first shift Patrol Supervisor, Communications Supervisor, and Special Events Coordinator and in 2000 she was appointed Assistant Chief of Police. Chief Marable is responsible for Police Operations which consists of the many Divisions and Units under the Offices of Administrative & Investigative Services and Field Operations. She is a certified Police Instructor, and she holds a Master level police officer certification. She is a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association. Additionally, she was recognized and awarded The University of Texas at Dallas CARE Award for Superior Performance in December, 2006 for her tireless leadership and efforts in establishing the new UTDPD Communications & 911 Dispatch Center.
Captain Billy Talkington
Billy Talkington graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 1992. Captain Talkington was employed by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office in several positions from 1992 till 1995; during this period he coauthored an article in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. In June of 1995 Captain Talkington was hired by the University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department as a cadet and attended the UT System Police Academy. Captain Talkington performed the duties of police officer at UTSA until 1998 when he transferred to UTD PD. Since transferring to UTD PD Talkington has held the positions of Police Officer (1998-1999), Shift Sergeant (1999-2004) and Lieutenant over Criminal Investigations Division (2004-2006) before being promoted to Captain. Captain Talkington is the department training officer and holds a master peace officer certificate. Captain Talkington is the Administrator of the Department's Office of Administrative and Auxiliary Services which is comprised of the Communications Division, Auxiliary Services, Crime Prevention Unit, Office of Emergency Management, Parking & Transportation and Training & Accreditation Standards.
Lieutenant Steve Finney
Steve Finney, Jr. earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with Minors in Psychology and Political Science from Kutztown State University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Finney is a certified Police Instructor. Lt. Finney is currently a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and serves on the IACP Police Investigative Operations Committee, International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), National Drug Enforcement Officers Association, Texas District & County Attorneys Association, Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Narcotics Officer Association, Texas Association of College and University Police Administrators, The American Legion, and the Association of the United States Army. He is a graduate of the FBINAA Command College and the IACLEA Executive Management Institute. Lt. Finney previously served as Commander of the Office of Field Operations, and Detective-Sergeant and the Supervisor of the Criminal Investigation Division. Additionally, Lt. Finney has served as Interim Chief of Police at the UT Permian Basin Police Department. Mr. Finney served as a Noncommissioned Officer on active duty in the United States Army and United States Army Reserve. Mr. Finney has worked as a Political Consultant managing and advising political campaigns for the United States Congress and for other federal, state and local offices. Additionally, Mr. Finney has been popularly elected to three two-year terms of office as a political Party Official. He has had several Opinion Editorials as well as law enforcement related articles published. Mr. Finney has lectured classes on political issues as a Guest Speaker at Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Northampton College and Kutztown University. Lt. Finney is a 2003 recipient of the UTD Business Affairs Outstanding Employee Award. He was also honored as the 2004-5 UTDPD Officer of the Year and the Police Explorer Advisor of the Year 2005 by the Boy Scouts of America, Circle Ten Council. He is also a recipient of numerous Police Commendations and of the UT System Police Meritorious Conduct Award. Lt. Finney was also elected as the Second Vice-President (Past First Vice-President) of the Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association. Lt. Finney is currently the Commander of the Office of Investigative and Special Operations which is comprised of the Criminal Investigation Division, Narcotics Unit, Records & Public Information Section and Evidence Section.
Interim Lieutenant Chris Dickson
Christopher Dickson started in law enforcement with the UT Tyler Police Department. Subsequently, Lt. Dickson joined the UT Dallas Police Department. He served as a patrol officer and as Interim Corporal. He subsequently was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Lt. Dickson supervised the guards and officers assigned to his Patrol Shift. Lt. Dickson received his Associate of Science degree from Panola College in Speech Communications. He also studied in a Bachelor of Science program at UT Tyler. As a student at UT Tyler, he competed nationally as member of their collegiate debate team, twice obtaining champion status in public debate. He was also a national semi-finalist in Parliamentary team debate. Lt. Dickson previously served as a Detective and Detective-Sergeant and Supervisor of the UTDPD Criminal Investigation Division, as well as Coordinator for the Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, Ask-A-Cop Program Coordinator, Field Training Officer and Community Liaison Officer to SUAAB and the Safety and Security Committee. Lt. Dickson currently serves as an Advisor to the UTDPD Explorer Post, Firearms Safety Officer, and Assistant Armorer. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and National Association of Property Recovery Investigators. Additionally, Lt. Dickson was elected Chair of the UTD Staff Council, and chosen to serve as the UTD representative to the UT System Employee Advisory Council in Austin. Lt. Dickson received the President's Award as a result of his participation in the 2006 Corporate Challenge which benefited Special Olympics. He was also honored as the UT Dallas Police Departments Officer of the YearEfor 2005-2006 and also awarded the UT Dallas Police Department's "Top Gun" for 2005-2006. Lt. Dickson is the recipient of the UT System Police Meritorious Conduct Award and several Police Commendations. Lt. Dickson is the Administrator of the Department's Office of Field Operations which is comprised of the Patrol Division, Internal Affairs Division, Division of Dallas Campuses and the Division of Community Programs.
Sergeant Rick Bauer
Sgt. Rick Bauer started in law enforcement with the UT Southwestern Police Department in 1990 and has served with both the UT Dallas and the UT San Antonio Police Departments. He has served in positions as Patrolman, Corporal, Detective and Assistant Chief. He currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant. Sgt. Bauer is a certified Police Instructor, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He holds a Master Peace Officer Certification from TCLEOSE. Sgt. Bauer is a member of the South Texas Narcotics Officers Association and is active as a Liaison Officer at UT Dallas.
Sergeant Mark Brushwiller
Sergeant Mark Brushwiller started in law enforcement with the UT San Antonio Police Department, and subsequently transferred to the UT Dallas Police Department. He has served in positions as Patrolman, Detective, Corporal, and Training Sergeant. Sgt. Brushwiller is certified as a Police Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He is a Motorcycle Officer and a Bike officer. Sgt. Brushwiller holds an Advanced Peace Officer license. Sgt. Brishwiller is a Veteran of the United States Air Force.
Sergeant Kendra Penny
Sergeant Penny transferred to UTD in 2004 with over 8 years prior service as a law enforcement officer. She is a honors graduate from East Texas State University with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in business management. She possesses a Master Peace Officer certificate from TCLEOSE. Sergeant Penny is a TCLEOSE certified law Enforcement Instructor and a certified R.A.D. Instructor. She is certified as a Field Training Officer, in Dispatch Communications, as a Bike Patrol Officer, and earned a NT 4.0 Network Administration certificate. At UTD She also serves as a Community Liaison Officer and Explorer Advisor. Sergeant Penny is also an alumni member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Soririty, Inc.
Officer Ryan Ballard
Officer Ryan Ballard started with UT Dallas Police Department as a Guard. As a Guard, he was twice awarded Guard of the Year. Subsequently Ballard was hired as a Police Cadet and attended the 84th Basic Training School at the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. After graduating, he began his service with our Department as a Police Officer. Officer Ballard is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Corporal Misty Boyd
Cpl. Misty Boyd has a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University and an Advanced Peace Officer license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Cpl. Boyd came to UTD in 1998 as a Guard and also worked as Telecommunications Operator until she was selected to attend the UT System Police Academy. Cpl. Boyd worked as patrol officer on 2nd and 3rd shift until being promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2004. Cpl. Boyd is currently assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit; and has the additional responsibilities as the department background investigator, and the Assistant Training Officer. Cpl. Boyd is the Victim Liaison officer for victims of crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault. Cpl. Boyd is a member of the UTD Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T), and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), and the North Texas Crime Prevention Association (NTCPA).
Corporal Devin King
Corporal Devin King graduated from Midwestern State University with a dual major Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice with a second degree in Political Science. Corporal King served three years in the United States Army and six additional years with the Texas Army National Guard. While serving in the Texas Army National Guard, Corporal King served as a Sergeant, he was deployed and served a tour of duty in Iraq participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal King is the recipient of numerous Army Awards and military Decorations. Corporal King also served for five years as a Detention Officer with the Wichita County Detention Center in Wichita Falls, Texas. Corporal King joined the UT Dallas Police Department and attended the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. Corporal King is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and as a Rape Defense Aggression (RAD) Instructor. Corporal King serves at the UT Dallas Police Department's Evidence/Property Room Technician and Manager. He is a member of the Texas Association of Property & Evidence Inventory Technicians.
Corporal Tom Lee
Corporal Lee started with UTD PD as an Explorer in 2001. While an Explorer, he served two years as the Explorer Post Captain and was twice awarded Explorer of the Year. In 2002, Lee was hired as a Police Dispatcher with the UTD Police Department. He graduated the UT System Police Academy and began his service with our Department as a Police Officer. Currently, Corporal Lee serves as the Executive Advisor for the Explorer program, as a CERT instructor, and is a Community Liaison Officer.
Officer Joe Persyn
Officer Joe Persyn joined the UT Dallas Police Department in 1989. In 1995 he was promoted to Corporal, and in 1997 to Patrol Sergeant. As a Patrol Sergeant he was honored as Supervisor of the Year in 1999, 2000, and 2001. He has served on the Department's command staff from 2002 to 2006. November 1, 2006, Lt. Persyn had previous served in the position of Senior Sergeant on both day shift and night shift. He currently serves as a day shift Patrol Officer. He has previously managed Special Events, Student Patrol and the Police Motorcycle Unit. in 2003, Joe Persyn was awarded the Meritorious Conduct Award by the UT System Director of Police. He holds a Masters Peace Officer certificate from TCLEOSE, and is a 2006 graduate of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators - Executive Development Institute.
Officer Mike Rains
Officer Mike Rains attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. Officer Rains began his service with the UT Dallas Police Department in 1994 where he worked as a Noncommissioned Officer. He graduated from the UT System Police Academy and was commissioned a UT Police Officer in 1996. Officer Rains previously worked 13 years for the Richardson Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer. Officer Rains is a certified Field Training Officer and holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate from TCLEOSE. He also serves as the Department's Assistant Evidence Technician. Prior to his full-time work in law enforcement as a Police Officer, Officer Rains was in the private sector for 17 years and owned his own business.
Detective Karla Routson
Detective Karla Routson graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Criminal Justice. During her time as a student at UT Dallas she served as a UT Dallas Police Explorer. Subsequently, Detective Routson joined the UT Dallas Police Department and completed the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. Detective Routson is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. She is a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor, a bike patrol officer and an Advisor for the UT Dallas Police Explorer Post. She also serves as an Evidence Technician Assistant. Detective Routson is a member of the International Association of Property Crime Investigators and the Regional Organized Crime Information Center.
Officer Mark Routson
Officer Mark Routson received his Bacelor of Arts Degree in Government from The University of Texas at Dallas. Previously he served as a UT Dallas Police Explorer and Explorer Post Associate Advisor. Officer Routson also completed an Internship with the UT Dallas Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. Subsequently, Officer Routson joined the UT Dallas Police Department and completed the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas, where he was the first in his class and honored as the Top Cadet. He was also awarded the Top Gun in his class in firearms qualification. Officer Routson is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Detective Angela Willis
Detective Angela Willis was born and raised in the Greater Houston area. She attended college at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, where she majored in Criminal Justice and played on the Softball team for two years. She began her Law Enforcement career with the UT Tyler Police Department after graduating from the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. Subsequently, she joined the UT Dallas Police Department. Detective Willis holds an Advanced Peace Officer Certificate and is a TCLEOSE certified Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner. Detective Willis is an Assistant Coordinator with the UT Dallas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and an Advisor for the UT Dallas Police Explorer Post. Detective Willis is a member of Texas Narcotics Officer Association, Regional Organized Crime Information Center, Texas Municipal Police Association and the International Association of Property Crime Investigators. One of her favorite quotes is: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Corporal Karl Zuber
Corporal Karl Zuber graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in December of 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. During his time as a student at UTD he served as a UT Dallas Police Explorer and Explorer Post Associate Advisor. Corporal Zuber also completed an Internship with the UT Dallas Police Department, subsequently, Corporal Zuber joined the UT Dallas Police Department and completed the UT System Police Academy in Austin, Texas. Corporal Zuber is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Dorothy L. Miller
Dorothy joined the UTD Police Department's Administration Team in May 2006. She has more than 3 1/2 years of experience managing in academic program development. She has recruited and guided teams of instructors and advisory councils for certificate programs and for the annual emergency management / homeland security readiness conference. Among her accomplishments has been the development of first university certificate program in the state to address public and private sector disaster training and communications needs. She is a founder of the Higher Education Foundation for Emergency Management/Homeland Security Accreditation Team and Honor Society Chair. Additionally, she is a trainer/coordinator with the City of Allen, TX and UT Dallas Community Emergency Response Teams; and serves as a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. Dorothy is a member of the Board of Directors for Dallas County Citizen Corps Council, and is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Staff Profiles
