Paul Hartinger retired as Chief of Police for Blue Ash after more than four decades in law enforcement leadership. He has trained public safety professionals since 2004 and is a certified instructor with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. Paul focuses on preparing cadets with the skills needed to manage complex situations and lead with professionalism and integrity.

Subjects Taught:
Human Relations, Physical Fitness, Patrol Operations, Traffic Operations, Investigations, Crisis De-Escalation, First Line Supervision, Field Training Officer development, and ICAT (Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics).

Deborah Mercado brings more than 30 years of public safety experience to the Great Oaks Police Academy, including service in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army Reserve. Her law enforcement career has included corrections, patrol, investigations, SWAT negotiations, and academy instruction. Deborah is passionate about helping cadets build the confidence, professionalism, and leadership skills needed to serve their communities.

Subjects Taught: Administration, Human Relations, Firearms, Subject Control & Impact Weapons, First Aid/CPR/AED, Patrol Operations, Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG), Uniform Traffic Ticket procedures, Investigations, and Physical Fitness & Conditioning.

John Mulholland has more than 30 years of experience in forensic investigation and crime scene analysis. A certified latent fingerprint examiner with an academic background in analytical chemistry, he has received advanced training from the FBI, BCII, ATF, and multiple regional crime laboratories. John has testified as an expert witness in numerous cases and brings extensive real-world investigative experience to his instruction.

Subjects Taught:
Crime Scene Investigation, Advanced Crime Scene Techniques, and Latent Fingerprint Examination.

Anthony Pope has nearly 30 years of experience in public safety, beginning his career as a corrections officer and dispatcher before rising through the ranks to lieutenant and division commander. With more than two decades of experience training officers, he now leads the Great Oaks Police Academy and focuses on preparing cadets with the practical skills and decision-making ability needed in modern policing.

Subjects Taught:
Patrol Operations, Subject Control, Impact Weapons, Emergency Vehicle Driving, and Legal procedures.

Mark Preuss brings more than 38 years of law enforcement experience, including a distinguished career with the Sharonville Police Department where he retired as Division Commander. An Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy instructor since 1993, Mark continues to serve in law enforcement while mentoring future officers and sharing decades of operational knowledge.

Subjects Taught:
Administration, Introduction to Basic Training & Policing, Ethics, Report Writing, Below 100 officer safety principles, Firearms, Driving, Legal procedures, Arrest/Search & Seizure, Digital Evidence, Radar/Lidar, Crash Investigation, Police Photography, Media Relations, Communications, Lineups, Surveillance, Traffic Stops, Building Searches, Active Threat Response, and Homeland Security.

Alex Stephens has more than 15 years of public safety experience. He began his career in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces Staff Sergeant before transitioning to law enforcement. As a police officer and K9 handler, Alex has extensive patrol and training experience and is committed to helping cadets develop the physical and tactical skills needed for the profession.

Subjects Taught: Defensive Tactics.