Michael A. Barnes ‘68, '75
In 1966 I entered CSULB to complete the last 2 years toward my Bachelors in Police Science, having previously obtained an A.A. in Police Science and performed 2 years active duty in the Naval Reserve. Thus, I was fortunate to be receiving benefits under the G.I. Bill. This was a challenging time for the criminal justice profession.
With the recent publication of the findings of the “President’s Commission on Law Enforcement” making a number of recommendations for change and improvement in law enforcement nationally, and with social upheaval over the Vietnam War and domestic issues, law enforcement was moving to significantly improve the profession.
I found an extremely professional and knowledgeable faculty and a challenging curriculum, all of which provided a very supportive and effective learning environment. The education I gained proved to be foundational to my successful career development as a senior law enforcement executive and senior Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer. So, I only spent 2 years working for my Bachelors, but I did spend another 7 years (part-time) earning my Master’s Degree.
I was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Lambda Alpha Epsilon (the criminal justice fraternity.) That kept me plenty busy when I was not working part time at “May Co.” as a “store detective.” My fondest memory is of “49er Days”- I really enjoyed that with the campus coming together, and my Alpha Phi Omega brothers always helping with the event.
I attended concerts and other student events, but none of these have stuck in my memory over the years. I do remember Dr. Henri Temianka as the Conductor of the California Chamber Symphony, and as my professor in my general education “Music Orientation” class – my most interesting class outside of Police Science.
The library, believe it or not. It was a place where you could concentrate on studying, then be distracted by something unrelated but still educational. Then, there was the regular pie from Marie Callendar’s original pie bakery in Long Beach, which was located just a few tempting blocks from my apartment.
Dr. John Kenney was my faculty advisor, professor in some of my classes, and a most knowledgeable and wise veteran of the Criminal Justice profession. His advice was good, and his support was always there. He got me a good internship with a police department, which proved pivotal in my career development.
Dr. Paul Whisenand was a bright and challenging professor who encouraged me to continue in my quest for a career in law enforcement, and he provided me with much insight and inspiration for what could be done as a leader in the criminal justice system.
First, having the Bachelor degree with a B+ GPA allowed me to take state civil service exams for the Department of Justice without taking a written exam. Secondly, the challenging and well-rounded curriculum for the Criminology major gave the foundation to be able to effectively think and resolve criminal justice issues, as well as present an educated approach to my career development. And, it got me a great internship that led to my getting hired by the CA Dept. of Justice.
The Bachelors degree was also a basic requirement for my successful commission as a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer, where the same kind of education was as valuable for intelligence work as it was for criminal justice. Ultimately, the law enforcement and Naval Intelligence careers developed in parallel, based on my Bachelors, and then my Master’s Degree.
In rough chronological order:
Immediately after graduation, I was hired by the CA Dept. of Justice, where I ultimately rose to the level of Special Agent in Charge, Operations Support Unit.
In 1976 I received my Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from CSULB
In 1991 I left my position with CA Dept. of Justice to assume the position of Executive Director, L.A. CLEAR. L.A. CLEAR is the 24-hr regional counter-drug intelligence center supporting primarily L.A., Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, funded by U.S. DOJ grants and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) federal grants.
I retired from full-time law enforcement in late 1997.
In 1998 I went on active duty as a Captain in the Naval Reserve Intelligence Command, serving active duty tours as the Deputy Director for Intelligence at the international coalition Joint Task Force, Southwest Asia (stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.)
In 1999 I was on active Navy duty as the Reserve Management Officer for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for C3I in the Pentagon for most of that year, and I retired later that year.
Following my Navy retirement, I went on to a number of “retired” jobs, including law enforcement consultant working under a federal grant; part-time Lecturer at CSULB; defense contractor working full-time on planning and managing intelligence facility construction and infrastructure requirements for the Naval Reserve Intelligence Command. Much of the time this was concurrent work, until my Navy Intelligence contract ended at the end of 2009.
In 2010 I was hired as a defense contractor to serve as an “Iraqi Police Services Senior Coordinator” in Baghdad, until the military left in late 2011.
In 2012 I was hired in Diplomat status by the U.S. State Department to return to Iraq in a similar status supporting and advising the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. This tour ended in March, 2013.
In 2013 I fully retired from any professional career.I have returned to my U.S. home in Incline Village, Nevada (northeast shore Lake Tahoe). I now ski in the winter, travel internationally year-round, and have ongoing responsibility for managing family business matters for the larger family, church activities, veterans groups, community support, and others activities as the situation dictates..
