Joel Vargas, JD Chief of AI and Data Strategy

Professional Summary

A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience leveraging data and technology to achieve transformative results in public safety and national security. My expertise spans roles as a police officer, intelligence analyst, and specialist in counterespionage and counterintelligence, with a proven focus on violence reduction strategies.

Leadership at the Austin Police Department

As a Police Division Manager, I lead one of the most talented teams at the Austin Police Department. My five units support the entire department with research, planning, a fusion center, intelligence analysis, crime analysis, and strategy. We are taking Austin to a new height by using AI, technology, and data with the best  talent to keep the city and region safe.

Career Accomplishments

• Bensenville Police Department: Built a Community Policing Program in a town Forbes labeled “The #1 Dying Town.” I achieved a 70% overall crime reduction (50% in year one) and a 90%+ violence reduction, eliminating all gangs.

• Chicago Police Department: At the Strategic Decision Support Center, I contributed to a 40% reduction in shootings and homicides. By March 2019, year-to-date homicides dropped 83%.

• InterPort Police: As Director of Criminal Intelligence, I oversaw intelligence for over 127 agencies. I established best practices in All-Source Intelligence Analysis with a strong counterintelligence focus on detecting deception from state actors.

• International Advisory: Advised the OAS, UN, US Intelligence Community, InterPort Police (90% of supply chain security heads), Europol, and the governments of Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and over 10 LATAM countries.

Additional Contributions

• US Intelligence Community: As a Director-level liaison for 5 years, I trained on best practices to combat transnational criminal organizations and terrorism, focusing on OSINT and SOCMINT.

• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): The Secretary General of InterPort Police appointed me to distribute intelligence products at the CIA’s Open Source Center (OSC) and design new capabilities for law enforcement.

Note: Some details are omitted due to NDAs.