About the Team

During his tenure with TCSO, he served as a corrections officer, CORE bootcamp drill instructor, patrol deputy, mental health officer, lake patrol marine safety enforcement officer and supervisor, SWAT officer and medic, academy defensive tactics instructor and range master, Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team (SURT) scuba diver and supervisor, child abuse and major crimes detective, patrol sergeant and watch commander, and academy lieutenant and director of training. Lt. Lawson received 15 TCSO award decorations, including the Meritorious Service Bar, three Lifesaving Bars, the Commendation Bar, and Officer of the Year.

Before and during his law enforcement career, Greg served 10 years across three branches of the military. First, with the U.S. Army as a paratrooper at Fort Richardson, Alaska; Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Egypt and the Sinai Desert, North Africa; and Central America. Second, he was a U.S. Navy operations specialist and master-at-arms onboard USS NIMITZ, making two Western Pacific deployments to the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, and Kuwait during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Southern Watch. Finally, he served as an Air Force Security Forces Combat Arms Range Master (CATM), completing deployments to Bosnia and Korea.

Professor Lawson received his Associate of Arts in English and Criminal Justice from ACC, and his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and Master of Education from Texas State University. Greg has more than 6900 TCOLE training hours and is a Master Peace Officer instructor. Additionally, he is an Honorary Admiral in the Texas Navy, the first Honorary Marshal of Tombstone, Arizona, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Bruce currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Austin Community College, preparing future officers through scenario-based instruction aligned with Texas peace officer licensing standards. He was selected to serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Academy Curriculum Committee, contributing to statewide training standards.

Previously, Bruce served as Deputy Director of Criminal Justice for the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), providing senior leadership for regional law enforcement academy operations and training development. As a Lieutenant and Training Coordinator with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), he managed statewide training programs, enforcement instructors, and performance standards.

His instructional background is grounded in extensive tactical experience, including service as a SWAT Team Leader and Instructor and leadership of the Covert Operations Response Team, where he developed the Tactical Operations and Planning School (TOPS). Internationally, he served as a Commander and tactical trainer for DynCorp International in Kosovo, supporting UN CIVPOL operations. He is also a United States Marine Corps veteran.

Bruce holds a Master Peace Officer License and is a TCOLE-certified Advanced Instructor, with specialized certifications in firearms, defensive tactics, baton, Simunition, incident command, and international police instruction. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Austin Community College.

During his tenure with APD, he served as a TCOLE-certified Firearms Instructor with extensive experience teaching SWAT tactics, pistol, rifle, and automatic weapons. More than half of his law enforcement career was spent in specialized assignments with the SWAT Team and Bomb Squad, providing him with significant operational expertise that directly informs his instructional approach. He also served in a broad range of assignments, including Patrol and Internal Affairs, contributing to a well-rounded professional perspective.

With more than 35 years of law enforcement training and instructional experience, he brings both real-world operational knowledge and academic preparation to the classroom. While serving with the Austin Police Department, he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice, reinforcing his commitment to professional development, education, and excellence in training.

Currently serving as Administrative Assistant III at Austin Community College’s Public Safety Training Center, Kristine provides high-level administrative and operational support for public safety education and training programs. Her responsibilities include executive support, communications, procurement, compliance, reporting, project coordination, and collaboration with internal and external partners. She works closely with faculty, staff, students, and public safety agencies to support program operations, special initiatives, and organizational objectives.

Kristine’s career includes serving as a Legislative Director in the Texas House of Representatives, where she managed legislative initiatives, constituent relations, policy communications, and executive-level operations. She has also held leadership and administrative positions with the Travis County Commissioners Court, Hays CISD, and higher education organizations, developing expertise in executive support, government relations, project management, and operational management.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a Minor in Business from Texas State University. Combining strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with extensive administrative expertise, she is known for building efficient systems, fostering collaborative relationships, maintaining the highest level of confidentiality, and supporting organizational success through dependable, results-oriented service.