Leadership
Kristen Traxler — Interim Administrator

During her time with the Office of Professional Standards, Kristen Traxler has focused on the accurate execution of investigative strategies. As a former Investigator, she makes complaint resolution her top priority. Now, as the General Manager of OPS, she manages staff, human resources, and budget operations. While carrying out her daily engagements, Traxler maintains transparency and integrity across OPS procedures.
Staff

Vince Funari, Senior Investigator

Vincent R. Funari joined the Office of Professional Standards in 2013 as Investigator, handling citizen’s complaints of Police Misconduct. In 2023 Vince was promoted to Senior Investigator. Funari has been in the investigation industry his entire professional career of thirty years. He started out with a small local private investigations company and worked his way to Lead Investigator. After eight years with that company, he left and started his own Private Investigation Company. He has been a licensed Private Investigator since 1997. He also worked as the Surveillance Supervisor for International Claims Specialists, where he was a supervisor to 15 regional investigators and was responsible for their scheduling, reviewing of their investigations and providing them direction in their daily investigations of suspected insurance fraud claims. Just prior to OPS, in 2011, Funari became a Miscellaneous Investigator for the City of Cleveland under the Department of Finance, Division of Assessments & Licenses. He was responsible for compliance inspections and investigations of local businesses under the Codified Ordinances in the City of Cleveland. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin Wallace College.
Brandie Hall, Secretary of the Civilian Police Review Board

I am a four-year resident of Cleveland, Ohio, originally from North Carolina. For many years, I have used my knowledge and resources to assist members of my community voluntarily. When I relocated to Northeast Ohio in 2020, I knew I wanted to pursue this kind of work as a career, so I joined the 311 Department within the city of Cleveland and served as a Citizen Support Specialist. In April 2024, I transitioned to the Office of Professional Standards as an Intake Coordinator. In this role, I utilize my unique interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge of resources to assist and support citizens who come to us regarding police misconduct. Many of these individuals may also need additional guidance and support related to underlying trauma or disadvantages. Additionally, I enjoy supporting the department in my secondary role as the Secretary of the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB), where I work closely with its members.
Elan Justice Pavlinich, Director of Community Engagement

Pavlinich accumulated two decades of experience performing community outreach, including managing resources to enhance public health, hosting seminars to promote wellness, developing mentorship programs rooted in diversity and inclusion, and building professionalization exercises. His public outreach on behalf of the Office of Professional Standards includes social media platforms, lecture series, events, and frequent visits to the myriad community hubs that comprise Cleveland.
For more information or to request a presentation, please call (216) 664-2944, send us an email, or complete a request form online.
Art Bowker, Investigator

Art Bowker is a seasoned cybercrime expert with over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and corrections. Since 2018, he has served as an investigator, becoming a permanent member of the Office of Professional Standards in 2021. Art is widely recognized for his contributions to cybercrime awareness, receiving top honors from the American Probation and Parole Association and the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association in 2013.
A lifetime member and former International President (2008) of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), Art was awarded the HTCIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in criminal justice from Kent State University and is the author/co-author of three books on cybercrime.
Lachickia Green, Investigator

Green graduated from The Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University with a master's degree in Public Administration. Prior to working at OPS, she worked as a Pretrial Services Supervision Officer for Cleveland Municipal Court.
Hamza Khabir, Investigator

Hamza Khabir has over 22 years of law enforcement experience. He has earned both Master's and Doctorate degrees in Public Policy and Administration with a focus on African Americans' experiences with the police. Hamza retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant and has studied policing, investigations, and qualitative research methods.
Kimberly Maxwell, Investigator
Kimberly Maxwell earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University before starting a career in Public Service in 2022 with Cuyahoga County. Prior to coming over to the Office of Professional Standards, she worked in Cleveland Housing Court as a Housing Specialist. Her most recent position was with the Department of Job and Family Services where she worked as an Eligibility Specialist. She has been working with the City of Cleveland since 2023.
Jermaine Smith, Investigator

During Investigator Smith's formative years, he was a Cleveland and East Cleveland resident. Investigator Smith eventually earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and served Northeast Ohio for nearly ten years as a Police Officer. Investigator Smith brings with him to OPS a keen knowledge of tactical, interpersonal, and organizational law enforcement practices. As an investigator for the Office of Professional Standards, Investigator Smith uses his experience as a former Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained first responder, Community Response Team member, and Field Training Officer (FTO) to aid the Civilian Police Review Board in reviewing CDP interactions with the public pragmatically.
Joseph Szymanski, Investigator

Szymanski graduated from Ashland University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Business Administration. He worked an internship at the Ashland County Sheriff's Office as a Correction, Deputy, and Probation Officer. Then, he worked at an investigation firm as an Investigator, Surveillance Specialist, and Supervisor for over 6 years. Szymanski joined OPS in Aug of 2022 as an Investigator. He has a dedicated passion for investigations and providing service, as well as upholding integrity and compliance. Szymanski obtained many certifications and licenses in the investigation and law enforcement fields.
James Ouk, Investigator

Investigator Ouk has been a life long resident of Cleveland. He earned his bachelors degree from Cleveland State University in Political Science and International Relations. He has spent the past four years conducting anti money laundering investigations and fraud prevention. Investigator Ouk brings with him to OPS a wide array of knowledge on data and risk analysis, investigations, and problem solving. As an investigator for the Office of Professional Standards, Investigator Ouk uses his experience as a former EMT to look for the root causes of the problem to aid the Civilian Police Review Board.
Adam Eisen, Investigator

Investigator Eisen has an extensive background in the criminal justice system. He spent time as a MH case manager, corrections officer in both the adult and juvenile levels, mainly at the county correctional level, and was a member of the CERT team and CIT trained in the adult system. His education includes a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and a Master's degree in criminal justice.
Jessyca Watson, Investigator

Born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Investigator Watson comes from a family native to Cleveland and active in the community. After obtaining her degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University, she discovered a passion for forensic psychology, moving to the DC Metropolitan area to work on her Master’s degree in that very topic. She went on to work in counter-terrorism alongside FBI Agents and Intelligence Analysts, eventually transitioning to be a Bureau employee herself while moonlighting as a Pre-K – 8th grade tutor and a Princess at children’s birthday parties. Having lived 10 years in the DMV, she recently moved back to Cleveland to be closer to family and has joined OPS so that she can continue to make a difference in her community as she was born and raised to do!
Tammi Lampkin, Investigator

As a Licensed Social Worker, Ms. Lampkin has over 15 years of experience working in the juvenile justice sector, with leadership roles, including positions on various boards from Toledo to Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Lampkin holds a plethora of experience on many levels from community-to-prison engagement to policy reform. Ms. Lampkin’s civic obligations spring from her affiliations with organizations in support of agendas addressing mental health awareness, prison reform, AIDS awareness, criminal justice laws, and affordable higher education. With her Masters degree in Legal Studies from Cleveland State University School of Law, Ms. Lampkin will be continuing her educational endeavors as a Licensed Forensic Social Worker.
Austin Kelleher, Data Analyst

Austin was raised in the Akron/Canton area and attended Ohio University, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Computer Science. Austin began his career as a Financial Analyst, developing a strong foundation in data analysis and process improvement, before transitioning to his current role as a Data Analyst. Austin joined the Office of Professional Standards to apply his skills to a cause that promotes accountability and fosters community trust.