Austin C. Uwakwe is a retired sworn Peace Officer and Associate Director with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO). With more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and security management in both the private and government sectors, Austin has extensive knowledge in personal and corporate protective services and surveillance. As a Pinkerton director since 2021, he provides strategic insight to Pinkerton’s comprehensive services, including integrated protection and response.

Career Highlights

During his tenure with the CDCR, Austin was responsible for multiple statewide units including Litigation Management Unit, Independent Review Unit, Interstate Compact Unit, Parole Automation Unit, the Parole Warrant Unit, and the California Parole Fugitive Apprehension Team that was tasked with the investigation, search, and apprehension of high risk and dangerous Parolees-at-Large who posed significant threats to public safety. He also conducted threat assessments for the CDCR staff, public and elected officials, and the general public when threats were made from a CDCR inmate or parolee.

Skills

• Protective and counter surveillance
• Workplace Violence Mitigation due to hostile threats
• Crisis site containment
• Crowd control
• High risk arrests
• Executive protection
• Close quarter protection and unarmed combat techniques
• Logistics and transportation management
• Risk and threat assessment

Education & Training

• Master of Public Administration, California State University, Long Beach, CA
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, California State University, Long Beach, CA
• 4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
• Certified Firearms Instructor
• Certified Instructor for Lethal and Non-lethal Weapons
• Certified Instructor for Safety and Tactical Operations Methods 

Affiliations

• California Correctional Peace Officers Association
• Parole Agent Association of California
• California Probation, Parole, and Correctional Association

Languages

• English
• Igbo (Nigerian)