Meet the Instructors

Lt. Cory Leeper is a 30-year law enforcement veteran with the La Verne Police Department CA deeply rooted in the La Verne community where he grew up and attended local schools. Throughout his career, Lt. Leeper has held different assignments, including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Range Instructor, Detective, SWAT (FSET) Team Operator, and Narcotics Task Force Detective with LASD Major Narcotics.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2016, he supervised Training, Range, and the Reserve Program in the Patrol Division. Cory was a founding member in establishing and building the Department’s first Special Events Team, Homeless Outreach Team, and Wellness Team. In 2020, Cory took on the role of Detective Bureau Sergeant, and by January 2022, he was promoted to Lieutenant, eventually becoming the Support Services Commander in 2023.

Lt. Leeper has led a variety of divisions as the Regional SWAT commander of the Foothill Special Enforcement Team (FSET), Detective Bureau Commander, and has supervised the Communications Bureau, Records Bureau, and Community Services.  Cory was assigned as the law enforcement mutual aid coordinator for Area D, an area comprised of 13 cities in East Los Angeles County, where he formed a regional unified mutual aid response training group.

Cory recently partnered with the LA County District Attorney’s Office developing policies and procedures for law enforcement’s use of Artificial Intelligence and has developed the first formal AI report writing training program in Los Angeles Country.

Dedicated to advancing his skills and knowledge, Cory recently graduated from the California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO) 18-month Strategic Leadership Program in October 2024. In addition, he is pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Claremont Lincoln University in Organizational Leadership.

Course Taught: AI Report Writing for Law Enforcement

Eugene P. Ramirez, Esq.

Gene Ramirez, a founding member of the Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester law firm, graduated from Whittier College School of Law where he was Editor of the Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Honors Board. Gene received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from California State University Long Beach, where he minored in both Criminal Justice and Public Policy.

Mr. Ramirez previously served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, where he conducted numerous misdemeanor, felony, and murder trials. Gene also served as a reserve police officer for the Whittier Police Department and the Monterey Park Police Department. 

Gene currently serves as an attorney and advisor to several public entities on the issues of use of force, canine and SWAT issues, and policies and procedures.  He is the General Counsel for the California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO) and is the General Counsel for the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). He was selected as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1993 and 2006 by two different Sheriffs. Mr. Ramirez has been awarded Certificates of Appreciation from the United States Army Special Operations Command (Fort Bragg, North Carolina) and from the United States Secret Service. Gene is also currently an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Rio Hondo College Police Academy teaching at the Basic Recruit Academy, the Field Training Officer School, and the New Supervisor School. 

Courses Taught:  Modern Constitutional Policing,  Modern Supervisory Liability,  SWAT Team Liability,  K9 Team Liability, &  Modern FTO Liability

Commander Heather Lappin

Heather Lappin is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as a Commander with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for leadership and education, holding positions with AZPOST as a member of their leadership instruction team and serving as a master instructor for field trainers in Arizona. Heather is also a public speaker, delivering keynote addresses at women’s and wellness conferences.

Heather’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University. She is also a graduate of programs such as Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, Department of Homeland Security’s Leadership Academy, and the Senior Management Institute for Police, among others.

Her leadership extends to corrections, where she has served as a Commander for the last year, showcasing her versatility within the field of criminal justice. While climbing the career ladder, Heather has successfully balanced her professional and personal life, raising three children, the youngest of whom is a high school senior, and celebrating 22 years of marriage. An active member of her community, Heather has held several leadership positions outside of law enforcement to include president of a youth sports program in Oro Valley AZ, Director of Scholarship for the Tucson Youth Football and Cheer, and a former member of the Tucson Women’s Commission. 

Course Taught:  Front Line Leadership

Officer Jason Schechterle, (Ret.)

Growing up, Jason had one dream: to serve as a Phoenix Police Officer.  Inspired by his brother and the tragic loss of a local law enforcement hero, Jason worked persistently towards his dream.

At the age of 26 after serving four years in the Air Force, Jason achieved his goal to work the streets of Phoenix as a police officer.  Then, only 14 months into what was supposed to be a life-long career, Jason’s life took an unexpected tragic turn. 

On the night of March 26, 2001, a taxicab traveling at over 100 mph crashed into the rear of Jason’s patrol car. Upon impact, Jason’s car burst into flames, trapping him inside.

Through a series of miraculous and fateful circumstances, Jason survived the crash and ensuing physical and emotional catastrophe. He suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks we often take for granted.

Jason’s journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy, and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished. His story is one of life, rebirth, and transformation. Jason represents the human experience at its very best – an ascent from despair to describing himself as the luckiest person alive! 

Course Taught:  Burning Shield

Commander Jerry Thompson (Ret.)

William G. Thompson Jr. (Jerry) is a retired 31-year law enforcement veteran, having served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Jerry started as a cadet dispatcher and ended up as the Northeast Ohio LCS Unit Commander as an Ohio Peace Officers Training Instructor since 1986, providing instruction throughout Ohio.  In addition, served as a schoolteacher at the Mahoning County Career Technical Center, administering the Law Enforcement and Fire Safety Programs. Currently, with FBI-LEEDA, Jerry provides instruction in various topics focused on leadership. FBI-LEEDA has honored Jerry with the designation of Master Instructor because of his sustained in-class instruction.

Jerry, a continuous public servant, was raised in the inner-city of Youngstown, Ohio, in the early sixties and seventies by devout Christian parents who stressed hard work, common sense, personal responsibility, and respect for others.  This has played heavily in his success in life and within each organization he has served. Having the opportunity in 2019 to provide training to law enforcement and military personnel in Uganda – he declares the occasion as a Life Changing experience. Jerry believes that every individual wearing a law enforcement uniform must recognize themselves as a MASCOT for their respective organizations. He will commonly ask, "How well are you doing at representing your organization?" Jerry is married to Beatrice, and they have two grown daughters and four adorable grandchildren. 

Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.  A graduate of Northwestern University Staff and Command School and currently completing a 2nd Master's in Education. He is certified by the Institute for Motivational Live and PeopleKeys™ in Advanced Behavioral Analysis and Team and Value “DISC” Training processes. Moreover, Jerry is an Arbinger Institute's – Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset program trainer.

Course Taught:  Blue Level Leadership

Captain John Donchig

With two decades of dedicated service in law enforcement, John Donchig currently serves as the Support Services Captain for his police department. His comprehensive career path has encompassed diverse responsibilities, including roles as a Field Training Officer, Special Enforcement Team officer, Crimes Against Persons detective, field sergeant, First Sergeant, Community Policing Bureau sergeant, and Patrol Lieutenant. John's leadership extended to regional SWAT and the Foothills Special Enforcement Team, where he served as an operator, training coordinator, Team Leader, and Team Commander.

A recognized expert in his field, he has spent two decades instructing at the regional, department, and police academy levels, covering crucial topics such as arrest and control, firearms, and narcotics for patrol. Additionally, John actively contributes to the law enforcement community as a current board member of the California Force Instructor’s Association and has served as an assistant Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator for Los Angeles County Area D. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California, a Master’s Degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California at Irvine, a Force Science Institute certification, and is a graduate of the California POST Supervisory Leadership Institute program.

Course Taught:  Resilience: Transforming Setbacks into Growth

Chief John Perez (Ret.)

John Perez grew up in East Los Angeles and served with the Pasadena Police Department from 1985-2022.  His assignments included Patrol, Field Training Coordinator, Community Relations, Internal Affairs, SWAT, Gang Enforcement, Counterterrorism, and Narcotics before serving as Chief of Police from 2018-2022.  Over the years, John served as a policing instructor and mutual aid coordinator for the Los Angeles region.  In 2001, immediately after the tragedy of the World Trade Center, John was appointed as the counter-terrorism liaison, developing several homeland security and safety initiatives for the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl, and other large crowd events.  In 2020, just prior to the global pandemic and social justice movement, John led the Department’s reorganization, replacing antiquated policing models with intelligence led units and problem-oriented policing models to reduce crime.   

John possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science, and a Doctoral Degree in Public Administration.  Chief Perez is currently also an FBI-LEEDA instructor teaching Supervisory Leadership, Command Leadership, and Executive Leadership courses around the United States.   

Course Taught:  Next Level Leadership

Captain Kevan Dugan (Ret.)

Kevan Dugan retired as Division Director in the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations with the Pennsylvania State Police. In his twenty-eight plus years with the department, his assignments included patrol, crime, undercover investigations, and Troop Commander. Most of his career was spent as full time Coordinator of the Special Emergency Response Team. After retirement he was Director of Sales for Mexico for Point Blank Body Armor.

He was a board member of the National Tactical Officers Association for years and taught SWAT Command across the country as well as in Canada and South America. He was the co-developer of SWAT Command II course for the NTOA.

He has a B.A. in Business from Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania and is co-owner of a company that delivers Spanish language training to law enforcement and the health care sector.

Course Taught:  Front Line Leadership

Ninette Toosbuy retired as the Officer-in-Charge of the West Valley Area Sex Crimes Unit and the lead instructor for interview and interrogation after 24 years of service with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). As a supervising detective with the LAPD, Toosbuy's career has been marked by a relentless dedication to advancing the field of police interrogation practices.

Toosbuy earned a bachelor's degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master's degree in National Security Studies from California State University, San Bernardino.

In 2017, Toosbuy was invited to attend the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG) course, which introduced her to Science-Based Investigative Interviewing (SBI). The HIG is a U.S. three-agency intelligence-gathering entity that brings together intelligence professionals from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to serve as the U.S. government's primary entity responsible to develop techniques and provide advanced training to investigative professionals. The HIG is a learning organization that sponsors and manages operational research findings in the field of interrogation.

After becoming involved with the HIG, Toosbuy began using SBI techniques in her casework, which led to increased investigative success for Toosbuy and her unit. This success inspired Toosbuy to reform the LAPD’s interview and interrogation course.

Since retirement, Toosbuy has taught SBI to law enforcement agencies across the United States, as well as presented at local universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations. Toosbuy is also a licensed private investigator and expert consultant on law enforcement interview and interrogation practices and sexual assault investigations.

Toosbuy believes that through SBI education and training, law enforcement professionals will be better equipped to achieve their pursuit, apprehension, and prosecution of lawbreakers while abiding by an ethos of ethical conduct, fairness, and integrity. 

Class Taught: Introduction to Science-Based Investigative Interviewing (SBI)

Chief Paul LeBaron, (Ret.)

Paul LeBaron is a 32-year veteran of the law enforcement profession, serving with the Long Beach Police Department for over 27 years, rising to the rank of Commander. In 2020 Paul was hired by the Hermosa Beach Police Department as Chief of Police, where he served for over 5 years, retiring in April of 2025. Throughout his career, Paul made employee wellness and organizational culture a priority. During Paul’s tenure as chief, the Hermosa Beach Police Department maintained full staffing and 100% employee retention through an employee led culture of innovation and excellence. Paul has contributed numerous talks, articles, and podcasts on first responder relationships, leadership and culture building for platforms such as the International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP), FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA), California Police Chief’s Association (CPCA) and Police1.com.

Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. He earned his Master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership as well as a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He graduated from the Sherman Block Leadership institute (Class #177), USC Executive Leadership Class (Class #1) and the FBI National Academy Class (Session #261).

Paul married his wife in 1992 (Three weeks before entering the police academy) and they spent the first 32 years of their lives as a first responder couple. They are dedicated to their 3 children, two daughters in law, 2 granddaughters and over 80 nieces and nephews. He is the fifth in a family of eight children. Paul speaks fluent Spanish and currently teaches in the Criminal

 Justice Department for CSU Long Beach and as an adjunct staff member for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance. Paul is an avid soccer player and enjoys scuba diving in warm water. 

Course Taught:  The Balanced Responder: Thriving Personally and Professionally without Sacrificing What Matters