Karen was employed as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and Oceanside Police Department for a total of 30 years, retiring as a Lieutenant with the Oceanside Police Department. Karen brings experience from a multifaceted career, having been assigned to or responsible for units such as K9, Crisis Negotiation Team, SWAT, Crisis Response Team, Homeless Outreach Team, Harbor Operations, Psychological Evaluation Response Team, Internal Affairs, Community Resource Team, and Investigations. Karen served as a Detective Sergeant, supervising the Robbery-Homicide, Crimes of Violence, and Property Crimes Investigative units. She investigated hundreds of criminal cases that ran the spectrum from low-level thefts to homicide.

The City of Oceanside brings tourists from around the globe, offering a variety of destination activities. Karen planned and organized large-scale special events such as the City of Oceanside’s July 4th celebrations, music concerts, and sporting events. This coordination involved Security, Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Works, Legal Affairs, Traffic Regulations, and Community Education.

As the Professional Standards Lieutenant, Karen evaluated all Use of Force and pursuit incidents to determine policy compliance, developed and maintained progressive law enforcement policies and procedures, and investigated internal and external complaints. She also managed the Department’s Background Unit, facilitating recruitment, pre-employment testing, and hiring.

In addition to managing her own consultancy, Laser Consulting, Karen is the senior consultant of Kephart Consulting, LLC as well.  Kephart Consulting has over 36+ years of successful consulting and expert witness experience in police and security best practices. This consultancy has a special emphasis on security best practices, premise liability, and crowd control/management cases.

Karen possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with an emphasis on Law Enforcement. Karen maintains current Law Enforcement trends and best practices via memberships with ASIS, National Tactical Officers Association, Crisis Negotiations Officers Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Expert services include professional, unbiased, and objective assistance for law enforcement and security-related cases.

Education: 

• Bachelor of Arts – Psychology, San Diego State University
• Master of Science – Criminal Justice, Grand Canyon University