Kathleen began her law enforcement career in 1983 as a dispatcher with the Florida Highway Patrol. In 1984, she attended the Florida Highway Patrol Academy 71st recruit class in Tallahassee, Florida. She was the recipient of the Academy’s Executive Director’s Award for Highest Academic Average. Upon graduation from the Academy she was assigned to Southern Field Operations as a road Trooper back in Miami. Kathleen worked as a State Trooper for 18 years, apprehending drunk drivers, handling traffic crashes, assisting disabled motorists and educating the public through traffic enforcement. During that time she also participated in uncover operations to combat highway robberies and highway prostitution. She has also assisted on numerous hurricane task forces.
In 2001, Kathleen promoted to the rank of Sergeant and remained in Field Operations in her hometown of Miami. She worked as the Field Training Sergeant mentoring Troopers new to the job. In March of 2005, she transferred to the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Investigations and remained in Miami. The Investigations section focuses on driver license fraud, title fraud, identity theft and auto theft.
In October 2005, Kathleen was promoted to Lieutenant and returned to Field Operations in Miami as a Troop Shift Commander.
