Dr. Joseph A. Cortez is a public safety researcher, professor, and practitioner with two decades of experience in law enforcement, emergency management, and homeland security. Before joining Cumberland University, Dr. Cortez served as a Police Lieutenant and Executive Officer in the Office of the Chief of Police for the Santa Monica Police Department and as a Special Investigator for the Los Angeles Police Department. Throughout his career, Dr. Cortez has held numerous leadership roles in operations and investigations, with a significant portion of his time dedicated to the special operations division.

Dr. Cortez is a respected figure in law enforcement education, having designed and implemented comprehensive training and education programs for police departments nationwide. As the Vice Chair of the Police Research Advancement Section at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Dr. Cortez bridges the gap between academia and practical application, contributing to evidence-based policing practices and policy development. He has fostered collaboration between researchers and practitioners, providing input, advice, and direction on
various aspects of law enforcement policy research and evaluation.

Dr. Cortez also serves as a faculty member at the University of Southern California, where he teaches courses in Public Policy, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security. In response to the aftermath of the Michael Brown incident, Dr. Cortez designed and taught an undergraduate course to help students understand the interplay between public policy and crime. He is also an instructor in the USC Public Safety Leadership Program, which educates senior public safety management on applying a 21st-century approach to public safety.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Cortez continues to impact the public safety field as a practitioner with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and through his publications in various journals and magazines. He frequently presents at national and international conferences on topics related to public safety education, evidence-based practices, and leadership.

Dr. Cortez holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Upper Iowa University and an MA in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. He earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California, focusing on juvenile justice and diversion programs. His research has set benchmarks for policy development and the creation of advanced police officer training curricula.

Dr. Cortez has family throughout the great state of Tennessee and currently lives in the Nashville metropolitan area with his wife and three young children.