Striving to be the Best

On June 11, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a conversation with Al Garber whose 44 year career in public service included being an Army captain, FBI agent and US Marshal.

Program Date: June 11, 2010
Program Time: 2100 hours Pacific
Topic: Striving to be the Best
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2010/06/12/striving-to-be-the-best

About the Guest
Allen Garber “retired as United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota on December 31, 2006. His career spanned 44 years. Al served 5 years in the US Army attaining the rank of Captain. He served in the Infantry and the Military Police Corps. He was an Airborne Ranger and had duties which included platoon leader, executive officer and company commander. His combat experience was gained during a 13 month tour of duty with the US Army's 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.

He was an FBI Agent for 26 years as Agent and Supervisor. The majority of his duties involved investigation of violent crimes, apprehension of violent fugitives, Special Weapons and Tactics, firearms instructor, and defensive tactics instructor. He was the Supervisor of the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping investigation. As a police instructor Al taught thousands of law enforcement officers in the fields of arrest techniques, SWAT, use of force, firearms, defensive tactics, and leadership. He was the first supervisor of the original Minnesota Fugitive Task Force, and the joint FBI/ Minneapolis Police SWAT team.

The next portion of his career was spent as Chief of Police of the Champlin, MN Police Department. The Champlin Police Department had 23 sworn and 15 non sworn personnel. During his tenure as Police Chief, Al testified as an expert witness in the use of force. He also conducted reviews of several high profile incidents for the Minneapolis Police Department when the MPD was looking for an unbiased and professional opinion. In 1999 Al was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by Governor Jesse Ventura. As Commissioner he had the opportunity to lead approximately 4000 employees, manage a $250 million budget, and work closely with elected officials and interest groups.

In 2002 Al was appointed United States Marshal for the District of MN by President Bush. The USMS is responsible for security at federal buildings and courthouses , as well as for Federal Judges, US Attorneys, and other officials. The service was also very active in the fugitive apprehension effort. Marshal Garber established a close working relationship with the Federal Judges. During his tenure, the USMS in Minnesota worked closely with area Police Departments, particularly the Minneapolis Police, and other Federal and State law enforcement agencies to fight violent crime. The only USMS/MPD/St Paul PD/ATF SWAT team in the country was established.

Al Garber is the author of Striving to be the Best.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2010/06/12/striving-to-be-the-best

Archive:
http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/striving_best.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530