Enhancing Agency Capacity for Learning and Improvement in Pre-Incident Planning: Lessons Learned from After-Action Reviews

Nazmia E.A. Comrie is a sociologist (policing assistance and reform) at the US DOJ COPS Office. As a program manager for the Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) Technical Assistance Center and CRI: Critical Response programs, she leads the development, implementation, and delivery of TA to state, local, tribal, campus, and territorial LEAs nationwide. With over 14 years of experience, Nazmia has managed programs focused on police reform, mass demonstrations, agency safety and wellness, and combating human trafficking, hate crimes, and interpersonal violence. She has authored and coauthored numerous publications on these critical issues, including the Critical Incident Review: Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School. Additionally, she played a significant role in the After-Action Assessment of the Police Response to the August 2014 Demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, published in 2015. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester and a master’s degree in criminal justice from University at Albany, where her research focused on homicides, wrongful convictions, community policing, and gangs.

Jeremy Kommel-Bernstein is a Policy Analyst with the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), where he oversees the COPS Training Portal, a law enforcement eLearning platform delivering high quality training to more than 50,000 officers, deputies, troopers, and stakeholders across the United States. Jeremy also develops new training policies and manages grant programs providing funds for a crisis response and innovative practices. Prior to joining the COPS Office, Jeremy served as an immigration officer, including training officers to conduct humanitarian-related interviews. During, and for several years after college, he worked in law enforcement in Massachusetts. He holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Missouri State University.

Sheriff John W. Mina has dedicated his life to public safety. He spent nearly 28 years with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks, and was appointed Chief of Police in 2014. In 2018, Mina was elected the 29th Sheriff of Orange County. Sheriff Mina’s career has been built on strong leadership by example and the ability to effect positive change. His priorities are to make Orange County an even better, safer place to live, work and visit, build greater connections and trust in the community and ensure that Deputies have the best training and equipment available so they can be safe while protecting others.  Community engagement, trust and transparency are the hallmarks of Sheriff Mina’s leadership style. Sheriff Mina is a trusted face of law enforcement in Central Florida testifying before the US Congress and speaking at the White House on law enforcement matters. Prior to entering law enforcement, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division as a Military Police Officer. He serves on the Board of Directors for the IACP and is a member of the MCSA, FSA, the FL SWAT Association, and a graduate of the 254th Session of the FBI National Academy.

Chief (retired) Humberto I. “Hum” Cardounel, Jr. is the Senior Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the National Policing Institute.

Prior to joining the National Policing Institute, Humberto served nearly 32 years in law enforcement before retiring as the Chief of Police from the Henrico County (VA) Police Department in 2020.  He brings vast experience in managing and modernizing core policing functions, including investigations, special operations, patrol, training, and internal affairs.  Experienced in critical incident management, Humberto has directed operations for professional sporting events, large-scale public gatherings, dignitary visits, and high-profile mutual aid deployments. 

Today, Humberto serves as a member of the senior leadership team at the National Policing Institute, where he oversees training and technical assistance initiatives across a diverse portfolio of projects. His work includes leading after-action reviews, conducting functional assessments, supporting crime intelligence centers, implementing crime reduction strategies, and advancing officer safety and wellness programs.

Angela Moreland, Ph.D., is a Full Professor at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVRTC) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Moreland has significant expertise in mental/behavioral health consequences following exposure to a range of traumatic events among children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in assessment of mental/behavioral health concerns and delivery of evidence-based, trauma-focused treatments. Dr. Moreland currently serves as the Associate Director of the National Mass Violence Center (NMVC), an OVC-funded initiate aimed at improving community preparedness and the nation’s capacity to serve victims recovering from mass violence through research, planning, training, technology, and collaboration. Dr. Moreland also serves as the Director of the Improving Community Preparedness Division of the NMVC.  

Daniel Williams leads the Allen Fire Department’s Operations Division. His role includes managing and coordinating the department’s public education, training, and emergency response. His responsibilities include oversight of a $20 million budget and 109 personnel. Asst. Chief Williams has served 21 years at the Allen Fire Department. He holds a Bachelors degree in Emergency Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management.