Highlights of Ryan's experience and achievements are detailed below. For a full Curriculum Vitae and recommendation letter portfolio please contact him by click here. |
Law Enforcement Experience
Decorated police officer Ryan Millbern has spent over a decade in the service of law enforcement and public safety. At the Vail Police Department in Colorado, Millbern served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, and K9 Officer.
His efforts in the line of duty earned recognition from his peers and the public. His first Silver Medal of Valor was earned in 2009 while off-duty when he prevented an armed suspect from attacking a father and his 4 year old son in a public park. He later earned the same prestigious Silver Medal of Valor in 2010, along with four other brave Vail Peace Officers, for his response to a homicide/hostage situation as the initial supervisor in West Vail. |
American K9 Detection Services, Middle East
K9 Handler
Assigned a critical role on a United States Embassy Security Force in the Middle East by providing K9 protection for the U.S. Embassy grounds, diplomatic motorcades, U.S. Department of State housing, and classified materials. Provided safety and security in a high threat environment for diplomats, foreign dignitaries, local national citizens and military personnel by searching up to 450 vehicles, buildings, packages, and open areas per day for IEDs, VBIEDs, sticky bombs, and explosives. Provided armed emergency response to suspicious vehicles, civil disturbances, and suspected criminal violations involving explosives or firearms. Responsible for the training, care, and management of a Patrol/Explosives Detection K9, including meticulous record keeping of all training, medical treatments, and deployments.
Key Achievements
- Possess a current and active U.S. Department of State Secret Security Clearance after an exhaustive and complete background investigation
- Assigned to the highest profile, highest threat level entry/exit checkpoints in the region, working directly with a specialized unit of the host nation's military forces
- Over 25,000 real world high threat environment searches with zero false alerts
- Achieved a full spectrum of detection and patrol certifications from the ATF, DOS, DOD, NAPWDA, USPCA and numerous kennels
- Demonstrated record of success and achievement, training over a dozen K9 units for deployment in high threat overseas assignments
- Current member of the United States War Dog Association
Vail Police Department, Vail, Colorado
Peace Officer
Instrumental in maintaining peace and security for the people, property, and resources of Vail through the administration of general law enforcement duties. Achieved a demonstrated record of service as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, and K9 Officer.
As a Patrol Officer, recognized by leadership as a top performing officer both in quantity and quality of work, capable of producing consistent amounts of high quality work free of errors. Known for well written reports, thorough interviews, and the ability to handle complex field investigations. Provided additional service as a member of the Vail Police Department Ski Patrol.
As Detective, participated in the successful investigation and prosecution of the Town’s highest profile cases including kidnapping, armed robbery, and homicide cases, i.e. “Dumb and Dumber” bank robbery, the Moore & Ko kidnappings, and the Moreau murder case. Pioneered the launch of a fugitive recovery program that delivered the capture of over a dozen of the Town’s most wanted felons from various locales, including a kidnapper in Indonesia, narcotics trafficker in Canada, burglars in Wyoming and Hawaii, a domestic assault suspect in California, and a child rapist in Utah. Ryan taught firearms at the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy as well as firearms and evidence recovery at Vail PD’s Citizen’s Academy. Ryan also served as the Detective Unit's Field Training Officer providing training for four detectives and served as a background investigator for both sworn and non-sworn positions at the Vail Police Department.
As Sergeant, exercised supervisory authority over a team of six police and code enforcement officers. Assumed a lead role in the performance of Internal Affairs investigations and interviews over his team. Reviewed and approved reports from subordinates while actively participating in the Police Department’s leadership team and handling his own case load.
As K9 Officer/Trainer, pioneered the establishment of the town’s first K9 program, including procurement of the K9 and its training as a donation, DEA licensing, certifications and resources. Served as the primary architect of all policies and procedures governing K9 use and worked efficiently within strict budget guidelines for the K9 program. As the sole K9 Officer/Trainer, made dozens of K9 related narcotics arrests and confiscated over $10,000, handled K9 calls for seven agencies across the county of Eagle, with numerous deployments. Passed numerous narcotics detection and trailing certifications and validations including the Colorado Police Canine Association.
Key Achievements
As a Patrol Officer, recognized by leadership as a top performing officer both in quantity and quality of work, capable of producing consistent amounts of high quality work free of errors. Known for well written reports, thorough interviews, and the ability to handle complex field investigations. Provided additional service as a member of the Vail Police Department Ski Patrol.
As Detective, participated in the successful investigation and prosecution of the Town’s highest profile cases including kidnapping, armed robbery, and homicide cases, i.e. “Dumb and Dumber” bank robbery, the Moore & Ko kidnappings, and the Moreau murder case. Pioneered the launch of a fugitive recovery program that delivered the capture of over a dozen of the Town’s most wanted felons from various locales, including a kidnapper in Indonesia, narcotics trafficker in Canada, burglars in Wyoming and Hawaii, a domestic assault suspect in California, and a child rapist in Utah. Ryan taught firearms at the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy as well as firearms and evidence recovery at Vail PD’s Citizen’s Academy. Ryan also served as the Detective Unit's Field Training Officer providing training for four detectives and served as a background investigator for both sworn and non-sworn positions at the Vail Police Department.
As Sergeant, exercised supervisory authority over a team of six police and code enforcement officers. Assumed a lead role in the performance of Internal Affairs investigations and interviews over his team. Reviewed and approved reports from subordinates while actively participating in the Police Department’s leadership team and handling his own case load.
As K9 Officer/Trainer, pioneered the establishment of the town’s first K9 program, including procurement of the K9 and its training as a donation, DEA licensing, certifications and resources. Served as the primary architect of all policies and procedures governing K9 use and worked efficiently within strict budget guidelines for the K9 program. As the sole K9 Officer/Trainer, made dozens of K9 related narcotics arrests and confiscated over $10,000, handled K9 calls for seven agencies across the county of Eagle, with numerous deployments. Passed numerous narcotics detection and trailing certifications and validations including the Colorado Police Canine Association.
Key Achievements
- Served a key role performing community service and outreach, accompanying K9 partner ‘Star’ to visit and provide education and demonstrations to over 2,500 children during school visits and charity events
- A history of effective crime and drug trafficking mitigation with numerous K9 deployments resulting in dozens of K9 related arrests and over $10,000 in seizures despite a lack of command staff support
- Collaborated extensively with the Secret Service, United States Marshal Service, and private security corporations to provide armed protective details that included President Gerald Ford, Vice President Dick Cheney, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the family of the former Shah of Iran, Federal Judges and their families, as well as U.S Ski Team member Lindsey Vonn
- Held 9 instructor certifications and 11 instructor positions which included firearms, F.A.T.S., numerous less lethal firearms platforms, Intoxilyzer 5000EN, and bear mitigation tactics
- Provided training for officers in multiple jurisdictions on the proper handling of bear calls; wrote, lobbied for and implemented Town of Vail ordinance pertaining to bear attractants and mitigation tactics while mentoring other government officials, communities, and non-profit organizations about successful ursine management, laws, and response, including Durango (CO) Town Council, La Plata County (CO) Commissioners and Bear Smart Durango