LAURA PENA RAMIREZ
Carolina, PR
Summary
Over 18 years of experience in law enforcement with local, state, federal, international, and private agencies, including over 10 years in supervisory roles. Expert in planning, organizing, and leading highly sensitive operations. Determined, flexible, and hardworking investigator passionate about saving lives, protecting victims, and combating crime. Strong communicator with excellent organizational and time management skills. Efficiently manages multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines. Possesses excellent problem-solving skills and ability to think and act quickly to find creative solutions. Pragmatic Assistant well-known for being hands-on dynamo with boundless energy to fulfill various tasks. Detailed team player with history excelling in fast-paced environments with little oversight and challenging goals. Offers top technical abilities and relationship-building skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Assistant
Puerto Rico
01.2023 - Current
- Oversaw the implementation of projects in the Project Manager's office, collaborating closely with McKinsey to execute the commercial transformation of paper-based procurement and requisitions into a digital platform
- Led project management, team supervision, and coordination with stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project
- Analyzed data and identified areas for improvement in business processes, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to excel under pressure
- Key Achievements:
- Led multiple projects for the creation of the Fusion Center of the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, ensuring effective coordination between agencies and a faster response to public safety needs
- Actively collaborated in the transition from obsolete acquisition systems to a digital approach, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs
- Led multifunctional teams, ensuring effective communication and adherence to critical deadlines in all aspects of the project
- My strategic data analysis allowed me to identify opportunities to optimize processes and resources, increasing effectiveness and efficiency in decision-making
- Specialist in Victim Assistance
Transnational Crime Security Investigator
01.2017 - 01.2023
- DHS/ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); U.S
- Embassy in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Planning and execution of investigative operations, including covert operations, for criminal, civil, and administrative cases
- Coordination with local, state, and federal agents, analysts, and prosecutors
- Principal liaison with law enforcement agencies in the Dominican Republic in the Punta Cana region
- Facilitation of law enforcement intelligence exchange
- Gathering and analysis of information and evidence from interviews, surveillance, law enforcement databases, and law enforcement contacts in the United States and the Dominican Republic
- Investigation of transnational cases related to illicit finance, cybercrime, child pornography, human trafficking, and sex tourism
- Received the Eagle Award from the Department of State, one of the department's highest awards, for work in investigations targeting child pornography and sex tourism
- Management of local employees for maximum performance and interagency effectiveness
- Conducted impartial investigations of disputes and complaints
- Contribution to the fight against child exploitation and human trafficking by tracking and reporting suspicious activities, facilitating cooperation with local authorities, and dismantling criminal organizations involved in human trafficking and migrant smuggling
- Providing specialized training to local authorities to enhance their skills in cutting-edge investigative tactics
- Speaker on several occasions, delivering talks and conferences on relevant topics in different areas of investigation.
Front Manager and Loss Prevention Manager
Marshalls HomeGoods
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Development and implementation of procedures to minimize merchandise and company asset loss
- Recommendations for improvements in the company-wide loss prevention program
- Formulation of plans related to customer and employee safety, emergency procedures, and customer relations
- Supervision of 60 employees and oversight of inspections, audits, and investigations
- Liaison with suppliers, local law enforcement, and emergency services to resolve issues and mitigate risks
- Participation in over 20 fraud investigation cases and assistance in dismantling two criminal organizations, resulting in the recovery of over $100,000.
Police Officer
United States Marshals Service, USMS, Fugitive Task Force
01.2001 - 01.2015
- Coordination of swift, tactical responses to a wide range of criminal issues by exploiting intelligence from federal, state, and local public safety agencies
- Specialized in fugitive investigations
- Leadership in undercover sting operations
- Helped arrest 10 of the most-wanted criminals in Puerto Rico and the United States for crimes involving murder and firearms
- Execution of over 150 arrest warrants
- Recognized by USMS as the Task Force Officer of the Year from the Puerto Rico Police Department
- Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) &, While assigned to HSI, I analyzed and exploited financial intelligence in support of international money laundering investigations
- Enforced customs laws as a cross-designated Customs Officer
- Drove multi-agency initiatives that resulted in a 50% decrease in homicides in the local area of responsibility
- Led comprehensive investigations of cybersecurity incidents and cybercrimes, identifying and collecting crucial digital evidence to determine the authorship and scope of the attacks
- Conducted digital forensic analysis using specialized tools to uncover and reconstruct malicious activities, ensuring the integrity of evidence throughout the investigation process
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies in the identification and tracking of cybercriminals, providing technical reports and testimony for use in legal proceedings
- Participated in the investigation of financial crimes and cybercrimes related to minors, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a comprehensive and effective response
- Received the 2014 DHS Secretary's Award for Excellence and the 2014 ICE Director's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Science/Criminal Justice
Colegio Universitario Del Este
Carolina, PRAssociate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Puerto Rico Police Criminal Justice College
PR Project Management Certification Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers - undefined
Skills
- Project Management
- Interagency Coordination
- Criminal Investigation
- Loss Prevention
- Cybersecurity and Cybercrime
- Interviews and Interrogation
- Victim Assistance
- Communication and Interpersonal Relations
- Crisis Management
- Evidence Collection and Analysis
- Microsoft Excel
- Program Requirements
- Program Oversight
- Administrative Management
Timeline
Special Assistant
Puerto Rico
01.2023 - Current
Transnational Crime Security Investigator
01.2017 - 01.2023
Front Manager and Loss Prevention Manager
Marshalls HomeGoods
01.2015 - 01.2017
Police Officer
United States Marshals Service, USMS, Fugitive Task Force
01.2001 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Social Science/Criminal Justice
Colegio Universitario Del Este
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Puerto Rico Police Criminal Justice College
PR Project Management Certification Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers - undefined
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