L a ke Wo r t h
POLICE DEPT PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP
telecommunicator who leads Lake
SUPPORT SERVICES COMMANDER, JOE CONNOLLY Commander Connolly is a 31-year
Center. Over her career, Whitney has served in all areas of emergency communications including police, fire,
his career with the San Diego County
and EMS. Whitney is a communications
Sheriff’s Department in California.
training officer and is certified by
Since then, Commander Connolly
the Association of Public-Safety
has risen through the ranks and
Communications Professionals (APCO)
served in a variety of assignments
as a communications center supervisor.
training, criminal investigations, and
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Worth PD’s Communications
law enforcement veteran who began
including detention, patrol, narcotics,
12
Whitney Gilbert is a veteran
professional standards. Commander Connolly leads LWPD’s Support Service Division, which includes criminal investigations, training, property and evidence, communications, the City Marshal’s Office, and records.
Whitney holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Adminitstration from Black Hills State University in South Dakota and will soon complete her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Texas Christian University (TCU). Additionally, Whitney is an attendee of the
In 2007, Commander Connolly
prestigious Leadership, Executive and
was awarded the purple heart and
Administrative Development (LEAD)
medal of valor for unselfish and
certification program at TCU, where
meritorious action taken in the
she will graduate in May of 2021.
line of duty, which resulted in the saving of a young woman’s life.
Whitney is a mother to a beautiful 10-year-old girl who enjoys playing
Commander Connolly holds
softball and horseback riding. When
a Bachelor’s degree in criminal
not at work, Whitney, her boyfriend,
justice from Southern Columbia
and their children enjoy working out
University and is a graduate of
and spending time together as a family.
the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration’s (ILEA) school of executive leadership. Additionally,
FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH The Lake Worth Police Department
Commander Connolly is a master
is partnering with the Tarrant County
peace officer and police instructor.
Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Commander Connolly has been married to his wife for 35 years. Together they have two grown children and one grandchild. In his free time, Commander Connolly is an avid runner and enjoys spending time on his farm with his family.
illness. The program is for adults only and would be completely voluntary. The Tarrant County Mental Health Diversion Center would be the second facility of its kind in the state, and the only center north of Houston. Through this program, leaders expect to see a reduction in initial arrests and repeat arrests for low-level, nonviolent offenses, thereby saving time and reducing justice-related costs. In Houston, the program saw an overall 15% decrease in jail book-ins and a projected saving of more than $21 million in the first two years. The program was also successful in reducing recidivism by 67% for program participants following their first diversion. Chief J.T. Manoushagian serves as a member of the Mental Health Diversion Center Implementation Oversight Committee and is very optimistic about the center’s benefit to the City of Lake Worth and surrounding area. “This center will fill a critical need in our community and provide our officers with an equitable alternative to arrest. Because in the end, the person needing help receives the services they need without ever entering the criminal justice system.” The center is expected to be operational within the next 12 – 18 months and will likely be centrally located in Tarrant County.
Diversion Center in North Texas. The mission of the center is to provide a recovery-oriented, short-stay alternative to incarceration for nonviolent, justiceinvolved persons with mental health needs. Using the Harris Center for
WHITNEY GILBERT
Tarrant County’s diversion center would
2020
or appear to have, a history of mental
to establish the first Mental Health
Mental Health in Houston as a model,
|
level, non-violent crimes who have,
and other Tarrant County agencies
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER,
LAKE WORTH DIRECTORY
focus on offenders who commit low-
Whitney Gilbert Communications Manager wgilbert@lakeworthtx.org
Joe Connolly CommanderSupport Services bconnolly@lakeworthtx.org
