About Us
Academy Staff
William "Bill" Westfall – Curriculum Advisor and Instructor Emeritus
Mr. Westfall is President of the Westfall Group, Inc. of Indiana where he manages, develops, and provides a wide range of loss control and risk management services to the public and private sector. He is renowned for practical but powerful motivational and inspirational learning experiences.
In prior positions, Mr. Westfall served as the Director of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, the Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Academy, the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau Chief of the Division of Police Standards and Training for the State of Florida. Mr. Westfall began his career in law enforcement with the Alaska State Troopers where he served in a variety of functions during a four-year tenure.
Prior to law enforcement, Mr. Westfall served a four-year tour in the United States Marine Corps to include Vietnam. He received his BA in Criminology cum laude from Florida State University and has completed course work toward a graduate degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the well-respected FBI National Academy, where he was selected as the class spokesperson for the 141st Session and has served as an adjunct faculty with the Northwestern Traffic Institute instructing mid-management and first-line supervisory courses.
In prior positions, Mr. Westfall served as the Director of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, the Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Academy, the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau Chief of the Division of Police Standards and Training for the State of Florida. Mr. Westfall began his career in law enforcement with the Alaska State Troopers where he served in a variety of functions during a four-year tenure.
Prior to law enforcement, Mr. Westfall served a four-year tour in the United States Marine Corps to include Vietnam. He received his BA in Criminology cum laude from Florida State University and has completed course work toward a graduate degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the well-respected FBI National Academy, where he was selected as the class spokesperson for the 141st Session and has served as an adjunct faculty with the Northwestern Traffic Institute instructing mid-management and first-line supervisory courses.
Donald A. Bender – Executive Director, Instructor
Don is a retired Police Officer with 48 years of service, beginning with the U S Army Military Police, being discharged as a Sergeant. After discharge he worked with the Indianapolis Public School Police until being hired by the Indianapolis Police Department where he served in various positions as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Don was also a member of the Indiana National Guard attending Officer Candidate School and Officer Basic as an Armored Cavalry Lieutenant.
He was presented with the US Army Leadership Award in 1979. Other schools Don has attended several U S Army leadership courses, the Northwestern Traffic Institute, the FBI National Academy, Session 206, the first session of the IMPD Leadership Academy, and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development Course, as well as various management and leadership courses. Don is
married to Pam and has one son.
He was presented with the US Army Leadership Award in 1979. Other schools Don has attended several U S Army leadership courses, the Northwestern Traffic Institute, the FBI National Academy, Session 206, the first session of the IMPD Leadership Academy, and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development Course, as well as various management and leadership courses. Don is
married to Pam and has one son.
Eric Laughton – Leadership Instructor and Curriculum Advisor
Eric has had a distinguished career in both the United States Air Force Reserve, where he currently serves as a Colonel but also in the New York State Police where he served with the rank of Major as Troop Commander of Troop “E.” He oversaw 350 personnel, overseeing all NYSP operations for ten counties near Niagara Falls. He held a variety of positions including being the officer in charge of the Western Region Special Investigations Unit (SIU), special investigations unit investigator, undercover narcotics investigator, NYSP academy leadership instructor, and NYSP academy training officer. He retired from the NYSP in 2020 after nearly 32 years of service.
As a Colonel with the USAF Reserve, he serves as the Wing Plans Officer in Charge at the 107th Attack Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, NY. He directs the 107th Attack Wing exercise and readiness movements, encompassing operations, medical, and mission support group. Prior to his current position, Eric was the 107th Medical Group Commander, 107th Attack Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, NY, where he oversaw all medical operations and compliance in support of the State and Federal mission requirements, as well as various aspects of strategic planning and analysis. He is a 1999 graduate of Nyack College, Nyack New York and a 2004 graduate of SUNY Albany with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Eric is the owner of Generational Health LLC – Executive Leadership Development and Communication
As a Colonel with the USAF Reserve, he serves as the Wing Plans Officer in Charge at the 107th Attack Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, NY. He directs the 107th Attack Wing exercise and readiness movements, encompassing operations, medical, and mission support group. Prior to his current position, Eric was the 107th Medical Group Commander, 107th Attack Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara Falls, NY, where he oversaw all medical operations and compliance in support of the State and Federal mission requirements, as well as various aspects of strategic planning and analysis. He is a 1999 graduate of Nyack College, Nyack New York and a 2004 graduate of SUNY Albany with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Eric is the owner of Generational Health LLC – Executive Leadership Development and Communication
Ted Cragen – Instructor and Curriculum Advisor
Ted joined the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 2007 and has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, and academy instructor. He served in the Indiana Army National Guard from 2003 – 2012 and was deployed to Iraq in 2008. Officer Cragen attended the IMPD Leadership Academy with class 2014-02 and is now in charge of facilitating the IMPD Leadership Academy. In this role, Ted gets to collaborate with veteran officers from IMPD and other police and fire departments from all over Indiana. He is a 2007 Graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in criminal justice with a minor in sociology. Officer Cragen has been married to his wife Megan since 2015 and they welcomed their first child, Gabriel Wesley Cragen, in December of 2022.
Joseph M. Jacobs – Instructor and Curriculum Advisor
Joe is an Indy Southsider, and the father of six. His passion is education and developing the instructional material which passes along the maximum amount of knowledge to the students he teaches. He has an Associate of Arts in history, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, a Master’s in criminal justice administration and a second Masters in American History, concentrating on the Revolutionary War. He began his pursuit of a PhD in Public Policy specializing in Homeland Security and law enforcement training and has one class before his doctoral dissertation. He is an ILEA certified Instructor having achieved the title of Instructor Development Generalist. If that is not enough, in his spare time Joe owns Jacobs and Sons Contracting.
Simone Evans – Instructor and Curriculum Advisor
Simone Evans joined the Indiana University Police Department in 2011 and currently serves as a patrol sergeant, field training officer, and certified law enforcement instructor. In addition to her patrol duties, Sergeant Evans also serves as the division's special events coordinator and community engagement liaison. Sergeant Evans attended the IMPD Leadership Academy with class 2021-02, and she is a 2013 graduate of Indiana University with a B.S in criminal justice with a minor in French. Sergeant Evans confers with law enforcement agencies nationally through NAWLEE, NOBLE, and IACP. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and often participates in community engagement and public relation events. Simone is a mother of three and enjoys spending time with her children.
Bradley Ryan - Instructor and Curriculum Advisor
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Bradley Ryan is a 15-year law enforcement veteran, retiring at the rank of detective. During Bradley’s law enforcement career, he worked in various roles including patrol, dignitary protection unit, field training officer, and detective in both criminal investigations and criminal intelligence. Bradley was at the forefront of the introduction of intelligence in policing, as well as serving as a subject matter expert on Burmese American gangs in the Midwest. He spearheaded the creation of an intelligence unit with his police agency, and successfully developed relationships within the intelligence community to ensure access to up-to-date information for his officers. This included liaising with both local and federal partners, including membership within groups and task forces.
Bradley has completed the Certified Cyber Investigator Program with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and has completed certifications in Police Intelligence, Fundamentals of Intelligence Training (FIAT), Interview and Interrogation, Tactical Medical training, several FEMA IS level courses, and several others. He has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his help in safeguarding the United States President as well as a Lifesaver Award for going above and beyond the line of duty in saving someone’s life. Bradley currently serves as the Director of Security for a large hotel chain in Indianapolis. |
