Linda S. Forst is a professor of criminal justice at Shoreline Community College in Seattle, Washington, where she also serves on the Board of Law Enforcement Training Standards and Education for the State of Washington. Ms. Forst is a retired police captain from the Boca Raton (Florida) Police Services Department, where she served as a patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. She spent most of her career in patrol, but also worked in investigations, professional standards, training, hiring, and support services. Ms. Forst was the department's first female field training officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Ms. Forst has extensive training in accident investigation, domestic violence, sexual violence, community policing, and police management. She received numerous commendations during her career and earned numerous gold medals from the state and International Police Olympics. She also served on the board of directors for a local battered women's shelter for many years. An author of numerous magazine, journal, and newspaper publications, Ms. Forst regularly presents at conferences and to community groups. She has written several popular books on policing. Ms. Forst earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, her Master's Degree in Community College Education, and her Doctorate Degree in Adult Education from Florida Atlantic University. She is a graduate of University of Louisville's Sex Crime Investigation School and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. Ms. Forst is a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and has instructed for Northwestern's School of Police Staff and Command as well as Palm Beach Community College and Florida Atlantic University.
