Originally formed in 1999 The Law Enforcement Safety Foundation (LESF) was originally formed as the National Tactical Officers Scholarship and Memorial Foundation.  The foundation was created to benefit members of the NTOA and their families through their programs.  In 2004 the foundation changed its name to reflect the new mission and direction.

Executive Director, Rick Gallia, was tasked with guiding the foundation into the future.  With the help and guidance of the foundation board, the foundation has been able to develop programs that benefit both law enforcement and their families.  The foundation has worked with several companies and individuals that have helped the foundation to realize its goal of keeping officers safe while on and off the job.

The LESF will continue to build new programs and carry on the tradition of helping law enforcement officers across the nation.   With the help and support of the law enforcement community, we believe we can make a difference.

The Board:

Richard Gallia

Executive Director

Richard Gallia began his law enforcement career in 1981 as a patrol officer in California.  As a city police officer he worked patrol, K-9 and on a crack cocaine task force.  In 1990 he began working in the private sector, first in private investigations, then in the law enforcement equipment field, and later in the training industry.  In 1997 Richard helped co-found a leading law enforcement training company and developed ground breaking digital training programs for government and private sector clients.  In December of 2003, he accepted the position of Executive Director of the LESF.

Steve Sloan

Board Member
Detective, San Diego Police Department, Retired

A former member of the United States Navy and a Vietnam Veteran, Steve Sloan began his career in law enforcement in 1980 with the San Diego Police Department. In 1985 Steve became the first narcotic detection canine handler for the department and has since developed and taught numerous narcotic canine classes for the department and has become a well known and respected detective in the narcotics division. Currently, Steve is assigned to the San Diego Airport interdiction team and has three additional narcotic detection canines assigned for training.

In his 26-year career as a law enforcement officer, Steve has acquired extensive knowledge and expertise in working narcotic detection canines, canine case law, canine court testimony, parcel interdiction and airport interdiction. He is an internationally recognized expert on narcotic detection dogs and their training as well as parcel interdiction and has lectured throughout the United States, Brazil, Germany, Egypt, and Saipan. Steve is one of the founding members of the California Narcotic Canine Association and is the current president. He also is a member of the board of directors of the International Narcotic Interdiction Association and the Law Enforcement Safety Foundation and has instructed for the DEA, JETWAY, SKYNARC, INIA, CNOA, and many other organizations.

Don Hawley

Board Member
Department of Homeland Security FEMA

After a four year career in the United States Marine Corps, Don entered the Law Enforcement Community in 1971 with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, Oakland California. There he worked as a Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator and was also selected to be a member of the Bomb Squad. Don was also selected to work the Sheriff's Department Police Academy as the lead Force and Weapons Instructor and later became the Training Sergeant. After 14 years he made a lateral move to the Alameda County District Attorney?s Office working Felony Crimes against persons and property, along with being the Arson Task Force Commander.

Retirement came in 1998 and gave Don an opportunity to work with the Department Homeland Security FEMA. Don's responsibilities include but are not limited to implementing security procedures and policies in all matters pertaining to the protection and safety of DHS/FEMA personnel and facilities. He provides advice and assistance to the Chief Of Staff to insure proper security protection is afforded.

Don currently holds a B/A degree and a California teaching Credential.

Yvonne Ellis
Board Member

Beginning her career in the retail and banking industry, Yvonne Ellis has an extensive background in business.  In 1996 she co-founded The Backup Training Corporation, a digital training company that grew to be one of the largest private trainers of law enforcement in the United States.  Yvonne accepted a position on the board of the LESF in 2006 and remains active in the day-to-day operations, as well as the finances of the foundation.

Briana White

Program Coordinator, LESF

Appointed as the program coordinator for the LESF in 2004, Briana is responsible for coordination and marketing of the foundation's programs.  With an A.A.S. in small business management, Briana provides the foundation with over ten years of experience in management and marketing.  Formerly the production manager for a leading law enforcement training company, she has become intimately involved in the needs of law enforcement officers and is continuing her career within the law enforcement industry by working with a leading distributor of law enforcement products.