Lieutenant Colbey Russell is recognized as an innovative leader in law enforcement, particularly in university policing. He has led initiatives to improve mental health response, de-escalation techniques, and community engagement. Lt. Russell developed the S.E.E. Safety Networks model, emphasizing fair and inclusive communities through a service-centered approach, implemented within his department and recognized in the IACLEA journal. 

Lt. Russell's dedication to mental health training is evident in his efforts to bring the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to central Pennsylvania and his certification as an instructor in mental health response. His regional mental health symposiums and training programs for officers and community members emphasize his commitment to addressing the complexities of modern policing. 

In addition to his work in mental health, Lt. Russell also serves as an active shooter instructor, de-escalation instructor, personal self-defense trainer, and a leader in the Camp Cadet program, which aims to instill leadership and discipline in young people. His 11-week leadership series for his department has been crucial in fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. 

He has also taken steps to digitize paperwork to streamline and improve patrol operations and has used the agency’s virtual simulator to expand crisis training to include medical staff. Driven by a passion for service and education, Lt. Russell continues to innovate and lead, ensuring that his department meets and exceeds the challenges of modern policing. 

“I have a passion for education that fuels a desire to continuously improve and that motivates me to provide excellence in service to the community that I serve.”