Critical Mindset and Coordinated Response (CMCR) Training: A Vital Step to Reduce Police Shootings

Commander Denise Flaherty is a fourth generation San Franciscan and a proud executive with the San Francisco Police Department. With the city of San Francisco as the backdrop to her upbringing, it is no surprise that she chose this noble profession to serve the community of San Francisco. With three decades of service, her dedication and hard work have paved a path of opportunity and leadership development. Her diversified background has provided Commander Denise Flaherty with a strong understanding and experience in Patrol Operations, Investigations, Special Operations, Homeland Security, Airport Safety and Security and Collaborative Reform. She has a specialty in training development, achieving success as project lead in the development of the Critical Mindset and Coordinated Response Training Course and the San Francisco Police Department Leadership Development Institute (LDI).  These programs speak to her commitment to the members of the San Francisco Police Department. Through these programs, members are afforded an important opportunity for growth in their professional development and readiness to face the dynamic challenges of law enforcement.  To address those challenges, the San Francisco Police Department is committed to policing reform through the Collaborative Reform Initiative. Under the leadership of Chief William Scott, Commander Flaherty was appointed and serves as the Executive Sponsor of Accountability. Leading a team of dedicated project managers, she is managing 68 recommendations of reform with an emphasis on discipline models and policy reform. She is passionate about thoughtful and  positive change. She understands a powerful tool of change is mentorship. Through mentoring others, she is reminded of her own career path, as she guides and supports future leaders of law enforcement. Her commitment to others is exemplified in her role as Chair of Chief's Scott Women's Forum for the Advancement of Women, as well as, leading the way for the department's 'Now's The Time' campaign increasing awareness of female recruitment. Commander Denise Flaherty's impactful contributions and successes are a credit to those who  believe in her and support her, for that, she is incredibly grateful and honored to be part of an amazing team.

Lieutenant Michael Nevin has served with the San Francisco Police Department for 25 years.  He has worked in patrol, investigations, and is currently assigned to the Training and Education Division.  He is the officer-in-charge of the Field Tactics Force Options Unit.  Lt. Nevin has experience as an officer-involved shooting investigator and has worked on use of force policy.

Sgt. Justin Paul Bugarin is a 15-year veteran of several law enforcement agencies in California.  Currently assigned to the Field Tactics Force Options Unit (Training Division) of the San Francisco Police Department.  He's currently also a member of the Specialist Team (tactical support element) and Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Team.  In addition to CMCR, he instructs Crisis Intervention Field Tactics to in-service personnel and reality-based training with firearms and force on force scenarios with recruits.  Prior experiences include the SWAT Team, patrol, undercover narcotics assignments, and crime suppression units.