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.
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 Jacobs II - Academic Coordinator and Instructor
Mr. Jacobs is a dedicated educator, researcher, and law enforcement professional whose passion lies in advancing knowledge through research-based instructional materials and innovative teaching practices. With a career that bridges both academia and public service, he has committed his life to ensuring that students, law enforcement professionals, and community members have access to high-quality, impactful education and training.
Mr. Jacobs holds an Associate of Arts in History, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, and a second Master of Arts in American History with a concentration in the Revolutionary War. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Public Policy with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a specialization in Law Enforcement Training, underscoring his commitment to scholarship and practical application in the field of public safety.
As an eight-year veteran police officer with the Southport Police Department (SOPD), Mr. Jacobs has accumulated extensive training and instructional experience. He has served as both a Corporal and a Sergeant within the police academy, taught numerous courses, and worked as a course administrator for SOPD’s academy program. In this capacity, he collaborated directly with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) to develop, design, and implement training modules that continue to enhance officer preparedness and effectiveness.
His expertise includes more than 200 hours of specialized counterintelligence and anti-narcotics training through the U.S. military, certification as an ILEA Generalist Instructor and Taser Instructor, and over 1,000 hours of documented law enforcement training. Additionally, Mr. Jacobs has personally delivered more than 750 hours of instruction to law enforcement officers across the United States. For the past three years, he has also worked with a federal agency to create and deliver narcotics-related training programs to both state and federal officers nationwide.
Beyond his law enforcement career, Mr. Jacobs has been an influential academic voice for more than 14 years, teaching at the university level in both U.S. History and Criminal Justice. His teaching portfolio includes a wide array of courses, with particular emphasis on criminal law, criminal justice administration, and American history. Through his instruction, he has shaped the academic and professional journeys of countless students across the country.
In addition to his public service and teaching, Mr. Jacobs is the owner of Jacobs & Sons Innovations, LLC, a construction, renovation, and remodeling company proudly serving the greater Indianapolis area for the past 14 years. Under his leadership, the company has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction.
With two graduate degrees already completed and a doctoral dissertation nearing completion, Mr. Jacobs embodies lifelong learning and professional excellence. His unique combination of law enforcement expertise, academic scholarship, and entrepreneurial leadership positions him as a respected authority in his fields of work and study.
Mr. Jacobs holds an Associate of Arts in History, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, and a second Master of Arts in American History with a concentration in the Revolutionary War. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Public Policy with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a specialization in Law Enforcement Training, underscoring his commitment to scholarship and practical application in the field of public safety.
As an eight-year veteran police officer with the Southport Police Department (SOPD), Mr. Jacobs has accumulated extensive training and instructional experience. He has served as both a Corporal and a Sergeant within the police academy, taught numerous courses, and worked as a course administrator for SOPD’s academy program. In this capacity, he collaborated directly with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) to develop, design, and implement training modules that continue to enhance officer preparedness and effectiveness.
His expertise includes more than 200 hours of specialized counterintelligence and anti-narcotics training through the U.S. military, certification as an ILEA Generalist Instructor and Taser Instructor, and over 1,000 hours of documented law enforcement training. Additionally, Mr. Jacobs has personally delivered more than 750 hours of instruction to law enforcement officers across the United States. For the past three years, he has also worked with a federal agency to create and deliver narcotics-related training programs to both state and federal officers nationwide.
Beyond his law enforcement career, Mr. Jacobs has been an influential academic voice for more than 14 years, teaching at the university level in both U.S. History and Criminal Justice. His teaching portfolio includes a wide array of courses, with particular emphasis on criminal law, criminal justice administration, and American history. Through his instruction, he has shaped the academic and professional journeys of countless students across the country.
In addition to his public service and teaching, Mr. Jacobs is the owner of Jacobs & Sons Innovations, LLC, a construction, renovation, and remodeling company proudly serving the greater Indianapolis area for the past 14 years. Under his leadership, the company has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction.
With two graduate degrees already completed and a doctoral dissertation nearing completion, Mr. Jacobs embodies lifelong learning and professional excellence. His unique combination of law enforcement expertise, academic scholarship, and entrepreneurial leadership positions him as a respected authority in his fields of work and study.
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. |
