2025 Award Winner
Exceptional Service Award
Dr. Sandy Boyd has devoted more than five decades to advancing law enforcement education, leadership, and innovation. Beginning her public safety career in 1973, she served with the California Department of Justice, San Francisco Juvenile Hall, the San Francisco Police Department, Jack Webb Investigations, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. She also served for 25 years as a reserve police officer with the San Rafael Police Department, bringing both academic expertise and real-world law enforcement experience to every aspect of her work.
From the outset of her career, Dr. Boyd demonstrated a profound commitment to preparing law enforcement professionals for the evolving challenges of the profession. Her teaching and training career began in 1975 at City College of San Francisco and expanded to numerous institutions, including Santa Rosa Junior College, College of Marin, Sonoma State University, the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College, Excelsior University, and Capella University. As Professor Emeritus at College of Marin, she taught in Administration of Justice, Education, Social Science, and Business, earning a reputation as an exceptional educator and mentor.
In 1993, Dr. Boyd became a member of POST’s inaugural Master Instructor Class, where she developed the groundbreaking workbook Instructional Design for Law Enforcement Trainers. That same year, she authored and managed innovative grants that introduced advanced classroom technology and interactive use-of-force decision-making systems to law enforcement training. Her pioneering work in instructional design and technology transformed how officers are taught, assessed, and prepared for critical incidents.
Dr. Boyd’s academic accomplishments are equally distinguished. She holds an Associate Degree in Criminology from City College of San Francisco, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento, a Master’s Degree in Education from Sonoma State University, and a Doctor of Education in Organization and Leadership from University of San Francisco. Her doctoral dissertation, Training Effectiveness of Interactive Video Systems for Use of Lethal Force Decision Making, remains a landmark study in law enforcement training methodology.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Boyd has authored numerous publications and presented extensively on futures research, instructional design, police leadership, and emerging trends in public safety. Her work with the Futures Working Group and Police Futurists International has helped shape national conversations on innovation and strategic planning for law enforcement.
Perhaps Dr. Boyd’s most enduring contribution has been her service to POST’s Command College, one of POST’s flagship leadership programs. For more than 25 years, she has served as Academic Advisor and Adjunct Faculty, mentoring approximately 1,150 Command College students as they completed graduate-level research and prepared to become future leaders in policing. Known affectionately as “Dr. X,” she is respected for her rigorous academic standards, while also celebrated for the compassion, encouragement, and personal support she provides to every student under her guidance. Many of her former students have advanced to positions as Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, and executive law enforcement leaders throughout California and beyond.
Dr. Boyd currently continues her service as Academic Advisor and Adjunct Faculty for Command College and as a POST Quality Assessment Program auditor. Her visionary leadership, groundbreaking scholarship, and unwavering dedication to the development of law enforcement professionals have left an extraordinary and lasting impact on the profession.
Her service, innovation, and commitment to excellence have shaped generations of law enforcement leaders, and POST is proud to award Dr. Sandy Boyd, Ed.D., the 2025 O.J. “Bud” Hawkins Exceptional Service Award.
Congratulations to Doctor Boyd.
2024 Award Winner
Exceptional Service Award
Senior Inspector Kimberly Zaragosa’s career spans more than 35 years of dedicated public service, beginning in 1989 with her graduation from the Los Medanos College Police Academy and appointment with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff.
From the earliest days of service, she demonstrated a clear passion for learning, a deep commitment to her peers, and a steadfast focus on advancing the field of law enforcement. Her assignments in custody, transportation, patrol, narcotics enforcement, and tactical operations reflect not only a breadth of experience but a depth of understanding that few can match.
Senior Inspector Zaragosa has completed over 2,700 hours of POST-certified training and has instructed in over 60 Basic Academy classes at the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Law Enforcement Training Center. In 1999, she made history as the first woman to join the Contra Costa County SWAT Team, eventually rising to the position of Team Leader. A testament to her exceptional capabilities and tactical expertise, she established herself as a trailblazer in the field of law enforcement. Furthermore, this achievement became a powerful symbol of progress for women across the profession, challenging long-standing barriers and paving the way for those who would follow. Her career-defining leadership continued with her promotion to sergeant in 2003, and subsequent assignment as Academy Coordinator from 2005 to 2007. In this role, she oversaw the daily operations of the Basic Academy, managing recruit schedules, selecting qualified instructors, and ensuring the effective delivery of training.
After leaving her position as Academy Coordinator and being assigned to the patrol division, Kimberly continued her commitment to teaching. She remained a respected and influential presence at the academy, providing instruction on patrol techniques, crimes in progress, and vehicle pullovers.
In 2011, Kimberly was promoted to lieutenant, a rank that often reduces opportunities for direct teaching. Despite her expanded responsibilities, she remained deeply committed to her role as an educator, further solidifying her legacy in training and professional development. She was crucial to the development of critical training modules on Active Shooter and Building Search scenarios, which have since become fundamental to recruit training curriculum.
Today, Senior Inspector Zaragosa continues to serve as the lead instructor for some of the Academy’s most essential training blocks. Her instruction is consistently rated among the most effective and impactful by the recruits who benefit from her guidance. Through her mentorship, she has played a pivotal role in launching and shaping numerous careers in law enforcement. Many of her former students have gone on to become respected mentors and leaders, a reflection of her unwavering dedication, expertise, and lasting influence on the profession.
Her service, leadership, and passion have left an indelible mark on law enforcement in the State of California and POST is proud to award Senior Inspector Kimberly Zaragosa with the O.J. “Bud” Hawkins Exceptional Service Award.
Congratulations to Senior Inspector Zaragosa!