Michelle Freeman

Michelle Freeman Speaker Biography

Michele Freeman began her law enforcement career in 1992 as a Corrections Officer with the City of Las Vegas (CLV) Department of Public Safety (DPS). She served as Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and member of the department’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), before being named Deputy Chief in 2006. She was appointed Chief in 2011 and held the position for almost ten years before her retirement. Among numerous revolutionary changes, Michele led the CLV DPS through progressive 21st-century strategies essential in contemporary law enforcement. Through Michele’s perseverance, the department added its first dedicated Crisis Intervention Administrator, a trained mental health professional who supports the department through education and counsel.

Michele is a graduate of the 249th session of the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the 206th class of the renowned Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. As a public servant with CLV DPS, she received both Management and Executive Certifications from the Nevada State Peace Officer and Training (POST) Commission, the highest certifications awarded to sworn personnel. Additionally, Michele was a Certified Jail Manager granted by the American Jail Association and served as a Commissioner for the Nevada POST Commission, appointed by the Governor.

Michele earned her Doctor of Public Policy Degree, which focused on Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Law Enforcement Officers, holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Master’s Certificate in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a strong emphasis in Sociology and Psychology, all from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts.

Education, training, and mentoring are Michele’s greatest passions. Michele’s continuous dedication to resiliency, mental wellness, emotional health, self-care, holistic wellness, suicide awareness and prevention, and overall well-being is apparent as she currently facilitates educational programs in these areas.

Michele remains an active member of numerous organizations and sits on several boards. In addition, her time is filled with volunteering for non-profit organizations, including the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Southern Nevada, Inc., and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Nevada Chapter. Michele has been on TIP’s Board of Directors for ten years and is currently the Chairperson. She was on AFSP’s board for nine years and was involved in several areas, including the Nominations Committee Co-Chair, the Education Committee Co-Chair, Public Policy Committee Member, the Healing Conversations Coordinator, and has co-chaired the annual AFSP Out Of The Darkness (OOTD) Community Walk for the past two years.

She is recognized as a helper with a compassionate heart, and her motto is to lead with love. She leads by example with her commitment to developing others, consistently educating herself, and seeking opportunities for self-improvement.