Current Issues: Qualified Immunity, What It Is, and Its Impact on Peace Officers and Government Practitioners

Dr. Vablais received her MBA from the University of Washington's Executive program in 2000 and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University in 2007. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the varied presentation of psychopathy in female offenders received an award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy. She has extensive experience in forensic assessment which she gained working for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Prior to returning to Washington in 2011, she worked as a psychologist and the Director of Mental Health for the Anne Arundel County Detention Center in Annapolis, Maryland. From 2011 ? 2015, she worked on the executive leadership team at Fairfax Hospital, an acute crisis stabilization inpatient facility.She has provided expert witness testimony in both Maryland and Washington for matters including competency to stand trial, determining criminal responsibility and involuntary civil commitment. She is currently licensed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Alaska, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Robert Faigin was appointed Special Assistant to the Sheriff in 2001.  He currently serves as Special Assistant/Chief Attorney to Sheriff Bill Gore.  He is responsible for providing legal advice to the Sheriff, Command Staff, and other departmental personnel.  As head of the Legal Affairs Unit, Faigin and his staff provide legal opinions, conduct research on a variety of legal issues affecting the department, review pleadings and departmental documents for legal sufficiency, and coordinate various litigation matters for County Counsel.  His current areas of emphasis include criminal law and procedure, civil rights liability, employment and labor law, detentions, and peace officer bill of rights.  Prior to joining the department, Mr. Faigin served as a Deputy District Attorney in Solano County and a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Lassen County.  As a prosecutor, he handled cases from charging to sentencing.  In Solano County, he prosecuted family violence cases including domestic violence, child and elder abuse.  In Lassen County, he prosecuted misdemeanor and general felonies including violent crimes, domestic violence, property and theft crimes.  He has tried over 50 jury trials to verdict in addition to hundreds of bench trials.  Mr. Faigin served as the State Chair of the California Peace Officers Association, Police Legal Advisors section.  He is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the California Peace Officers' Association, and the California State Sheriffs' Association, and is currently the chair of the IACP Legal Officers' Section  Mr. Faigin holds a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.  He is admitted to practice in both California and Nevada.  He holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from the University of Nevada Reno.  

Oliver R. Stone, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who graduated with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Northwestern University. Dr. Stone?s past professional experiences include working within (Federal Bureau of Prisons) and with the law enforcement community (Montgomery County Police Department), where he has supervised clinicians, developed programs, and provided oversight for delivered mental health services. Professional and research interests include police and public safety psychology, brain-behavior relationships, outcome studies, program and policy development, and the use of technology to improve clinical practice. Dr. Stone is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and currently serves as the Chair of the Police Psychological Services Section?s Diversity Committee.