Matthew Garcia

Lieutenant Matthew Garcia (Ret.) brings 26 years of law enforcement experience to his instructional work, having served as both a State Trooper and Local Police Officer before retiring from the Connecticut State Police in 2022. A nine-year Hostage and Crisis Negotiator and Team Leader, he managed high-risk incidents while training and certifying new negotiators in collaboration with regional partners such as the FBI–CT Office and the New England State Police Administrators Conference (NESPAC). His leadership roles included serving as Commanding Officer of the Statewide Narcotics Unit within the Bureau of Special Investigations and overseeing Connecticut’s Sex Offender Registration Unit for eight years. Lieutenant Garcia’s twelve years in the State Police Peer Support Program—most notably his CSIM work following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy—demonstrated his unwavering commitment to officer wellness and critical-incident support.

Since retiring, Lieutenant Garcia has continued to advance officer safety, wellness, and professional development on a national scale. As the Deputy Director for Officer Safety and Wellness Programs at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, he leads national outreach and education through the Ambassador Program and supports the Destination Zero Program’s mission to identify and promote proven officer safety and wellness initiatives across the country. His extensive peer support experience also informs his role as an instructor with SAFLEO, the Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers Program, a national initiative developed in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Institute for the Institute of Intergovernmental Research.