Derek Mason
Branson
Summary
Experienced law enforcement professional skilled in investigation, surveillance, and law enforcement operations, with a strong focus on team collaboration and achieving positive results. Reliable and adaptable to changing needs, bringing integrity, critical thinking, and effective communication to every assignment.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Task Force Officer
Drug Enforcement Administration
Springfield
02.2025 - Current
- Managed complex investigations, ensuring timely completion and thorough documentation of all findings and actions taken.
- Collaborated with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to facilitate seamless coordination on joint operations.
- Participated in multi-agency operations, contributing valuable expertise and promoting successful outcomes.
- Maintained a high level of situational awareness during critical incidents by monitoring multiple sources of information simultaneously.
- Completed timely and accurate written and verbal communication to provide senior leaders with information needed to make strategic tactical decisions.
- Prepared for federal, municipal and county court hearings.
- Established strong working relationships with community leaders for improved cooperation in addressing public safety concerns.
- Provided oversight in various investigations involving money laundering, major crimes, and narcotics.
Task Force Officer
Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team
10.2024 - Current
- Enhanced team efficiency by streamlining communication channels and implementing best practices in information sharing.
- Trained patrol officers in methods for spotting drug transport vehicles and low-level operatives.
- Secured numerous informants providing information about drug activities in urban, rural and suburban areas.
- Developed comprehensive case reports, enabling efficient prosecution of offenders in court proceedings.
- Obtained critical information through effective interrogations, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects in narcotics cases.
- Assessed evidence collected from crime scenes thoroughly to identify potential leads in ongoing narcotics investigations accurately.
- Collaborated with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug trafficking organizations effectively.
- Interviewed witnesses and interrogated suspects to obtain additional information about criminal activities.
- Planned high-risk raids on homes and businesses identified as being involved in criminal enterprises.
- Enhanced narcotics investigations by utilizing advanced surveillance techniques and intelligence gathering methods.
- Identified potential informants and cultivated relationships to gather valuable intelligence on drug activities within the community.
- Acquired and executed warrants to capture persons of interest and case evidence.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
State Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol
St. Louis
01.2011 - 01.2019
- June 2016 Missouri Department of Public Safety Employee of the Month, 2016 Criminal Interdiction Work Recognition Award, 2013 Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council Officer of the Year, 2012 Troop C Work Recognition Award, 2012 Troop C Certificate of Achievement, and five Mothers Against Drunk Driving Awards.
- Collaborate with local, county, and other state agencies to investigate crimes.
- Prepare and submit detailed, accurate investigative reports for criminal prosecution.
- Daily interactions with the public while conducting traffic stops and criminal investigations.
- Executes criminal search warrants with federal and local law enforcement agencies as a member of a Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
- Provide appropriate aid to fellow troopers, county, and municipal officers during calls for service.
- Certified as a Drug Recognition Expert, possessing the ability to testify in court as an expert witness.
- Trains in defensive tactics, marksmanship, and active shooter situations.
- Seizes evidence as part of criminal investigations, adhering to all chain of custody policies and procedures.
- Lead the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Driving While Intoxicated arrests for 2012.
- Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses relative to numerous crimes and investigations.
Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crew chief/Infantryman; Marksmanship Instructor
United States Marine Corps
Camp Pendleton
10.2003 - 08.2007
- Served as a section leader for a motorized assault platoon of 20 Marines in a variety of adverse combat conditions, while completing a 7-month combat deployment to Iraq.
- Lead the ground patrol unit responsible for conducting IED sweeps of major thoroughfares in order to conduct successful convoy operations that routinely came under enemy attack.
- Assisted in assembly and briefings in preparation for combat missions.
- Provided armed site security for other Marines at Forward Operating Base in Iraq.
- Served as section leader for a team of Marines that routinely responded to enemy attacks on the U.S. convoys from IED blast and/or small arms fire
- Conducted motorized security patrols within the assigned area of operation.
- Effectively communicated orders to fellow troops while under enemy fire, as well as applied first aid to injured Marines.
- Served as Vehicle Commander, Assistant Section Leader, and Section Leader for the Quick Reaction Force, responsible for responding to hostile enemy combat situations.
- Managed administrative duties to prepare a 150-member unit for deployment.
- Conducted pre-operational and post-operational vehicle and weapon inspections while serving as assistant section leader.
- Planned, managed, and instructed weekly range training for the M9 Beretta and M16A-2/M4 rifle.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois1 2013
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Law Enforcement Academy
Jefferson City, Missouri1 2011
United State Marine Corps
1 2007
Master of Science - Forensic Psychology
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZSkills
- Detailed report writing
- Effective time management
- Strong attention to detail
- Effective team collaboration
- Problem-solving skills and abilities
- Proficient in managing multiple tasks
- Organizational proficiency
- Effective communication and listening
Timeline
Task Force Officer
Drug Enforcement Administration
02.2025 - Current
Task Force Officer
Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team
10.2024 - Current
State Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol
01.2011 - 01.2019
Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crew chief/Infantryman; Marksmanship Instructor
United States Marine Corps
10.2003 - 08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Illinois State University
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Law Enforcement Academy
United State Marine Corps
Master of Science - Forensic Psychology
Arizona State University
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