Command and Staff Program

ACE Approved for 6 Hrs. of Graduate Level College Transfer

Sgt. Corey Acosta, Colorado State Patrol, CO ~ [email protected] ~ 970.768.3150

My name is Corey Acosta. I have been with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) since 2017 and currently serve as a corporal in Troop 3C, Larimer County, Colorado. I joined the Colorado National Guard out of high school and served for six years as a military police officer. In those six years, I deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and assisted with the Spring Creek Fire in 2018. I also have firefighting and dispatching experience. I started my CSP journey as a road trooper in Weld County, Colorado until I promoted to corporal in 2024. I am married and have three children six and under: two girls and one boy. I look forward to enhancing my career in law enforcement and leading others.

Sgt. Linda Bowman, Mesa County Sheriff, CO ~ [email protected] ~ (970) 986-0136

Sergeant Linda Bowman serves with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, where she leads the Community Resourcing and Community Intervention Team. She supervises patrol deputies who provide co-response crisis services alongside a mental health clinician, as well as civilian staff who support individuals transitioning out of jail. The team focuses on addressing mental health crises, reducing repeat system involvement, and connecting individuals with appropriate services. Sergeant Bowman’s leadership emphasizes de-escalation, trauma-informed practices, and collaboration with community partners to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis.
Sergeant Bowman began her career with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office in June 2009 as a civilian Law Enforcement Specialist in the Records Unit. She transitioned to Jail Operations as a Deputy Sheriff in October 2010 and was promoted to Detentions Sergeant in October 2021. In January 2024, her leadership and commitment to crisis intervention led to her selection as Sergeant of the Community Resourcing and Community Intervention Team.
Sergeant Bowman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from Pacific University in Oregon and is a graduate of the Western Colorado Peace Officers Academy. Her professional certifications include Field Training Officer, Arrest Control/Defensive Tactics Instructor, Crisis Intervention Team Coach, and De-Escalation Instructor.
Sergeant Bowman has been married to her husband for 31 years, and together they have one daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, and traveling abroad. Her philosophy of life and public service is to work hard, remain humble, continually learn, and serve others before self.

Sgt. Nathan Bradley, Mesa County Sheriff, CO ~ [email protected] ~ 970-361-4015

My name is Nathan Bradley, and I am a Sergeant with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. I began
my law enforcement career in June 2018 as a Deputy assigned to Detentions. Two years into my
career, I became a Field Training Officer, motivated by a desire to share my knowledge and help
train newly hired deputies.

In January 2024, I was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to supervise a team of deputies within
the jail. I continue to prioritize leadership development and professional growth, which led me to
attend the American Jail Association Conference in May 2024 and graduate from the Rocky
Mountain Jail Association Academy in August 2024.

Prior to my career in law enforcement, I spent six years working in the oil field providing frac
support, where I supervised field personnel and managed water-pumping operations for frac
sites. I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, but am originally from Macomb, Illinois. Outside
of work, I am a diehard Chicago Bears and Cubs fan and enjoy spending my time off with
family, golfing, camping, fishing, or relaxing at the lake.

Sgt. Christina Montez, Mesa County Sheriff, CO ~ [email protected] ~ 970-361-4015

My name is Christina Montez. I was born in La Junta, Colorado, and spent my childhood living throughout the state before my family settled in Grand Junction, where I completed junior high and high school while participating in softball and track.
I graduated from Mesa State College in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management, emphasizing Parks and Outdoor Recreation. While working as a seasonal Park Ranger and through my husband’s career with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, I developed a strong interest in law enforcement and public service.
I began my career with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office in February 2000 as a Civilian Booking Technician and later transferred to the Detention Division as a sworn Deputy. During my career, I have served as a Field Training Officer, completed a rotation on the Classification and Programs Team, and was promoted to Sergeant in September 2010.
As a Sergeant, I have led the Shakedown Team, earned Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) certification, and served as a CIT scenario coach and instructor. I also served on the agency’s Awards Committee for fourteen years, including as Chairperson, and have been recognized with two Unit Citations and two Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Excellence Awards.
I have been married to my husband, Sgt. Marco Montez, for 26 years, and we have two children who attend or have graduated from Colorado Mesa University. I enjoy traveling, especially cruising, golfing, and attending Christian music concerts, and I value my faith and family above all else.
I am honored to attend the National Command and Staff College and look forward to the professional growth and leadership opportunities it will provide as I continue my law enforcement career.

Patrol Lt. Allen Phelps, Montezuma County Sheriff, CO ~ [email protected] ~ 970-739-1456

Allen G. Phelps is currently the Patrol Lieutenant for the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office in Cortez, Colorado. He joined the MCSO in 2017, serving as a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant and Detective before becoming the Patrol Lieutenant. Allen is also an instructor with Southwest Pueblo Law Enforcement Academy where he instructs Crime Scene Response, Crime Scene Investigation, Suspect Identification, and is a Colorado P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor.

In addition to his role in law enforcement, Allen is a dedicated family man and an active member of his community, serving on his church board and volunteering in various roles. Allen believes in honest leadership by example and hopes to make a lasting and positive impact on his agency and his community. 

Officer John Clark, Chautauqua County Sheriff, NY ~ [email protected] ~ 716-708-2971

John Michael Clark has served as a Corrections Officer with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office since 2015 and has been the IGNITE Program Coordinator since 2024. In these roles, he is dedicated to maintaining a safe correctional environment while supporting educational and rehabilitative opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Fredonia in 2010, equipping him with a strong foundation in instruction, mentorship, and leadership. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (1993–1997) and continued his military service with the New York State National Guard from 1997 to 2000. His military background instilled in him a deep commitment to service, accountability, and teamwork.
A devoted husband and father of two, John is actively involved in his community as a youth sports coach. In his free time, he enjoys camping and traveling with his wife Julie, valuing the opportunity to spend quality time with family and explore new places.

Lt. Dale Cornell, Chautauqua County Sheriff, NY ~ [email protected] ~ 716-785-8864

Lieutenant Dale Cornell has been employed with the Chautauqua County Sheriff Department for 21 years. In his current role he serves as the 7-3 shift commander in the Chautauqua County Jail. Over the course of more than two decades of service he has been to many trainings to include; the Chautauqua County Police Academy, the Chautauqua County Correctional Academy, multiple leadership trainings, Interview and Interrogation, Criminal Debriefing, and Drug Recognition and Testing to name a few.

Lieutenant Cornell also oversees the agency’s Jail Intelligence Program, where he plays a critical role in identifying, monitoring, and mitigating criminal activity within the county jail and the community. The program focuses on intelligence gathering, gang monitoring, contraband interdiction, and information-sharing with local, state, and federal partners.

Outside of work he enjoys his two adult daughters aged 23 and 21, hunting big game, going to Buffalo Bills games, and hiking national parks and mountains throughout the country.