About me
Richard "Rich" Trinkwalder is a seasoned educator and law enforcement professional with almost three decades of experience in public safety and criminal justice. He currently serves as a Law and Public Safety Teacher at the Grayson Technical Education Program within Gwinnett County Public Schools and as an Adjunct Instructor at Lanier Technical College.Rich’s career is defined by a transition from high-level field investigations to shaping the next generation of public safety professionals. His professional journey includes:Law Enforcement & Investigation: He spent his last years Criminal Investigator with the Georgia Department of Revenue and served as an investigator with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. His field experience covers complex areas such as vehicle crimes, child exploitation, homicides, and multimillion-dollar fraud schemes. He served on four different national boards or committees as well.Education Leadership: Since moving into the classroom in 2020, he has been instrumental in developing curriculum, including helping create a high school law enforcement certification program.National Involvement: He holds leadership roles with the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), serving as the Vice President of the New and Related Services Division, and chairs the executive board for LAPSEN (Law and Public Safety Education Network).Veteran: He served six years in the United States Navy as an Electronic Warfare Technician aboard the USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) and at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. Education & CertificationsMaster of Arts in Teaching: Covenant CollegeBachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration: Columbia CollegeAssociate of Science in Public Safety: Gwinnett Technical CollegeCertified Fraud Examiner (CFE)Over 2700 hours of certified law enforcement training hoursInstructional PhilosophyRich focuses on "career-based outcomes," utilizing scenario-based training like mock crime scenes and forensic investigations. His goal is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the industry, ensuring students are prepared for the ethical and technical demands of public safety careers.
