Andrew Ashton
Robertsdale,AL
Summary
Dynamic lieutenant with proven strengths in team leadership and managing complex investigations. Expertise in law enforcement collaboration and driving successful investigations. Skilled in budget preparation, ethical judgment, and effective communication, while fostering law enforcement partnerships to enhance agency mission success and community trust.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Lieutenant (Investigations Command)
Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
Bay Minette, Alabama
12.2022 - Current
- As the lieutenant of the Investigations Command, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of our unit. This includes both felony property crimes and violent crime units (approximately 12 investigators). I run a strong and collaborative unit that thrives on both agency and community engagement built on trust.
- Constructed and updated investigations on-call roster, supported yearly budget development, and created monthly statistical reports. Eliminated process discrepancies by reviewing case work for accuracy prior to submission to the District Attorney's office for prosecution. Performing Internal Affairs investigations and background investigations on new-hire candidates. Most importantly, I am present to mentor, collaborate, and guide our unit on any investigative questions and issues that arise. I personally believe that all that I know and have picked up along the way belongs to us all, and if I am not passing that knowledge on, I am not preparing for the future of this unit for whomever assumes my position.
- Managed operations as the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit Commander. Responsibilities included:
- Being in complete charge of any investigation in which the Unit participates, all personnel assigned to the investigation will be under their command.
- Deciding on the number of personnel to assign to the investigation, and designating which unit members are to be assigned according to the geographic area of the requesting agency, and their investigative experience.
- Assign and communicate with Deputy Commanders, Case Agents, and Public Information?
- Communicate with investigators, and ensure they are carrying out their assigned duties and responsibilities.
- Enforce the policies and operating guidelines of the MCU.
- Ensure the requesting agency is not conducting a parallel criminal investigation.
- Recommend and order the use of technicians and equipment that are beneficial to the investigation.
- Called timely meetings to brief members on case progress at the shift start and end, ensuring all assigned personnel were informed of daily activities.
- Stress that no member should begin an investigation of a new suspect or lead without first receiving approval for such action.
- Consult with the Officer in Charge regarding legal problems that may be encountered, and keep the Officer in Charge fully informed as to the progress of the investigation.
- Prepare reports noting any difficulties encountered regarding administrative, legal, or logistical problems, and provide a copy to the chairman of the Board of Directors.
- Consult with the chairman of the Board of Directors, and immediately advise him of the completion or suggested discontinuance of the investigation for any reason.
- If at any time the Commander learns of incompetency, misconduct, or lack of cooperation of any squad member, rendering such member ineffective, he or she shall immediately bring such conditions to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors in writing for appropriate action.
- If, at any time, the Commander learns of interference in the investigation from the Deputy Commanders, the Case Agents, or the requesting agency, the Commander shall immediately bring such conditions to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors in writing for appropriate action.
- Notify the District Attorney's Office of the investigation.
- Submit a 'Commander's Report' to the Board of Directors at the completion of an investigation.
- At the direction of the Board of Directors, coordinate membership.
- By application process, with a membership vote conducted at the quarterly Board meeting.
- Prepare and maintain a master list of all officers assigned to the unit.
- Coordinate an action plan should the MCIJ receive more than one activation request.
- Performed internal affairs investigations, conducted background investigations on new hires, acted as a crisis negotiator, and served as a liaison with federal partners on task forces. Sole lieutenant acting as the media liaison for case and significant event press releases.
- 02/20-12/22
- Sergeant (Investigations Command), Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Bay Minette, Alabama.
- As a Sergeant in Investigations, I was both the Violent Crimes Supervisor and Southend Property Crimes Supervisor. As the Violent Crimes Supervisor, I was in charge of two other investigators with whom we investigated homicides, adult and juvenile rapes, juvenile sex abuse cases, robberies, and all other variations of person-related crimes. During this tenure, I was also a member of the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit as a Deputy Commander.
- Towards the end of this term, I became the Southend Property Crimes Unit Supervisor, with four other investigators. During this period, we investigated burglary, theft, fraud, and all other types of property-related crime. My administrative duties during this period were the QA of all reports completed prior to Grand Jury submission, investigative support, and mentorship.
- 7/15- 1/20
- Corporal (Investigations Command), Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Bay Minette, Alabama.
- During this time period, I was the acting Corporal in the violent crimes unit and the acting supervisor on numerous occasions due to colleague promotion or transfer. In charge of assigning cases while carrying my own caseload, acting liaison between DHR, Care House, and the District Attorney's Office with reference to violent crimes. I was also an active member of the Major Crimes Unit and an active negotiator for our agency. My daily duties included supervision of other violent crimes investigators, assisting all other property investigators with violent crimes they may have picked up while on call, and providing quality assurance of all violent crimes cases before being submitted to the District Attorney's Office for presentation to the Grand Jury.
- 10/10- 7/15
- Investigator (Investigations Command), Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Bay Minette, Alabama.
- I began my journey as an investigator working in the property crimes unit. During this time, I investigated burglaries, thefts, frauds, and all other types of property-related crime. I was also allowed to investigate violent crimes on occasion, and that is when I really found my niche. In 2011, I was awarded Investigator of the Year, and in 2012, I was transferred to the Violent Crimes Unit. In 2012, I was also voted onto the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit as an investigator.
- 6/2006-10/10
- Patrol Deputy, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Bay Minette, Alabama.
- I was hired in 2006 by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and served as a Patrol Deputy in both the area 4 and 6 portions of the county. I performed all duties required during this time period with excellence, and in 2007, I was voted onto the BCSO SWAT team, after which I was sent to FBI SWAT school in Mobile. In early 2010, I was moved from Patrol into the property crimes unit of Investigations.
- 01/2000- 6/2006
- Diving Supervisor, Miller Divers, Inc. Fairhope, Alabama.
- Diving Supervisor for Miller Divers, Inc. Located in Fairhope, Alabama. Responsible for the safety and completion of all offshore and inshore diving operations. Supervised a crew of 10 personnel, consisting of divers, tenders, and boat captains, during the performance of underwater operations for companies such as ExxonMobil and Shell Oil and Gas in the Gulf of America. During this period, I was a qualified diving supervisor for both surface-supplied air diving operations, as well as mixed gas diving operations. Other duties included underwater welding, hydro blasting structure members subsurface, non-destructive testing of oil and gas platforms, and underwater pipeline and rig construction. During this period of employment, the company enjoyed a zero accident and zero lost man-hours record.
- 1990-2000
- United States Navy.
- United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer. Assigned as an Aviation Medical Technician and Fleet Marine Medic to various deployable squadrons from 1991 to 1999. Served honorably in the Persian Gulf and in-country Kuwait during the Gulf War and two subsequent peacekeeping missions thereafter. Assigned as the only medical representative for 250 to 300 squadron personnel. Duties included treatment of the sick and wounded, emergency room care, IV therapy, minor surgery, physical exams, and medical record maintenance. In 1998, I attended Fleet Diving Medicine School, where I was trained in hyperbaric medicine and the treatment of diving-related injuries. Received three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and one Meritorious Unit Commendation for exemplary performance during my time in service. During my time in the Navy, I was sent to both the Navy Foundation Leader Development Course and the Navy Intermediate Leader Development Course.
Education
Certificate of Training - Background Investigations
Background Investigations
Lafayette, LA11-2023
Certificate of Training - Internal Affairs Investigations
Internal Affairs Investigations
Jacksonville, FL06-2023
Certificate - Command And Staff Leadership
National Command And Staff College
Orange Beach, AL01-2022
Certified Trilogy Leadership Graduate - Supervisor/Executive/Command Leadership
FBI-Leeda Trilogy Graduate
In Person Training Locations 05-2021
Certificate of Training - Lead Homicide Investigator
Lead Homicide Investigator
Gulf Shores, AL04-2021
Certificate of Training - Crisis Negotiations
FBI Basic Crisis Negotiator
Mobile, AL10-2020
Certificate of Training - Negotiator Level 2
Crisis Negotiator Level 2
Jacksonville, FL12-2019
Certificate of Training - Institute For Credible Leadership Development
Ethical Leadership Training
Robertsdale, AL01-2016
Certificate of Training - Advanced Sex Crimes Investigations
Advanced Sex Crimes Investigator
Columbiana, AL08-2015
Certificate of Training - Advanced Homicide Investigative Techniques
Advanced Practical Homicide Investigations
Huntsville, AL11-2013
Certificate of Training - Advanced Interviewing Techniques
Interviewing The Sexual Deviant
Jacksonville, FL11-2013
Certificate of Training - White Collar Crime Investigations
White Collar Crime Fraud Investigator
Auburn, AL02-2013
Certificate of Training - Advanced Death Investigations
Medicolegal Death Investigations
Miami, FL12-2011
Certificate of Training - Advanced Interview Tactics
Advanced Reid Interview And Interrogation
Jacksonville, FL08-2011
Certificate of Training - Advanced Crime Scene Investigations
FBI Advanced Crime Scene Investigator
Mobile, AL01-2011
Certificate of Training - Major Crimes Investigations
USDOJ Investigations of Major Crimes
Foley, AL10-2010
Certificate of Training - Basic SWAT School
FBI Basic SWAT
Mobile, AL06-2007
APOST Certificate - Law Enforcement
Alabama Peace Officers Standards And Training
Anniston, AL06-2006
Certificate in Surface Supplied Mixed Gas Diving - Commercial Diving Industry
College of Oceaneering
Wilmington, CA04-2000
Initial Medical/undersea Theory - Diving Medicine
Naval Undersea Medical Institute
Groton, MA07-1998
Aviation Medicine Technologist - Aerospace Medicine
NAMI Aerospace Medicine
Pensacola, FL12-1991
Naval Hospital Corpsman - Fleet And Field Medicine
Naval Hospital Corpsman School
San Diego, CA08-1991
High School Diploma -
Aptos High School
Aptos, CA05-1990
Skills
- Law enforcement collaboration
- Technical supervision
- Effective communication
- Team leadership and problem-solving
- Case management and investigative reporting
- Public information liaison and community engagement
- Crisis negotiation, conflict resolution
- Ethical judgment
- Court testimony
- Training and mentoring in investigative techniques
- Internal affairs investigation
- Background investigations
- Budget preparation
- Collaborative mindset
- Situational awareness
- Decision-making
Affiliations
During my time as both a Sergeant and Lieutenant with Investigations I submitted a comprehensive pay proposal for Investigators with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. Early on it was realized that when a Deputy transfers from Patrol to Investigations it was actually a pay decrease for them. This is based on the Patrol Division being paid on an 84 hour pay period and Investigations being paid on a 80 hour pay period. I proposed that since Investigations is a specialized assignment with more advanced training, responsibility, and expectations the pay should reflect this. I asked that each Investigator be granted a 5% pay step raise which would in reality only bridge the pay gap disparity that already existed. After proposing this three years in a row it was finally adopted and enacted.
During my time as the Investigations Lieutenant, I have assisted the two Captains I have worked with and for with the annual unit budget. This assistance included gathering information from the unit as a whole regarding the need to replace or purchase new equipment that would better assist them in their duties as Investigators. This would also include the cost of items from multiple vendors, descriptions, and rationalization of the true need. I was also involved in the keeping of records for all Investigations vehicles and their mileage as to aid in the decision of whether or not new vehicles would need to be budgeted as well.
Worked in hand with the MCU Board of Directors to correct and address specific areas within the MCU Policy and Procedures. These corrections and additions made for a clearer and more concise understanding of the Major Crimes Unit as a whole and its specific uses.
In May of 2023, Baldwin County was hit with it's most significant criminal act in recent history, the Stockton Mayday shooting. This incident encompassed three separate scenes, 19 victims, 3 deceased victims, and a man power pool of close to 40 personnel. The investigation which continued for over a month plus involved all of our agency Investigators, SOU, Narcotics unit, Civil unit officers, officers from Bay Minette PD, and Multiple agents from the ATF. Sadly I know I am leaving some out. This case was ultimately deemed a Major Crimes Unit case. During this time our unit had some internal personnel issues which directly affected our Captain at the time and another employee. I was asked to step into the Captain role while dealing with a mass shooting within our community. With the assistance of my unit Sargent's and Corporals we were able to stay on task with the shooting and keep the ship afloat as a unit. I made myself available to all within the unit both professionally and personally to help in coping and dealing with all that was occurring within our unit. This definitely helped solidify unit trust and respect amongst us all.
Lastly, within a month of being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, I was faced with one of my employees making misogynistic and disparaging comments about women in general on his social media. This sent shockwave's throughout the agency and numerous Officers reached out to me regarding their feeling s on the matter. I was asked to handle the Administrative review of the case and to also be part of the Disciplinary Hearing that followed. Ultimately the employee was allowed to resign in lieu of termination.
During my time as the Investigations Lieutenant, I have assisted the two Captains I have worked with and for with the annual unit budget. This assistance included gathering information from the unit as a whole regarding the need to replace or purchase new equipment that would better assist them in their duties as Investigators. This would also include the cost of items from multiple vendors, descriptions, and rationalization of the true need. I was also involved in the keeping of records for all Investigations vehicles and their mileage as to aid in the decision of whether or not new vehicles would need to be budgeted as well.
Worked in hand with the MCU Board of Directors to correct and address specific areas within the MCU Policy and Procedures. These corrections and additions made for a clearer and more concise understanding of the Major Crimes Unit as a whole and its specific uses.
In May of 2023, Baldwin County was hit with it's most significant criminal act in recent history, the Stockton Mayday shooting. This incident encompassed three separate scenes, 19 victims, 3 deceased victims, and a man power pool of close to 40 personnel. The investigation which continued for over a month plus involved all of our agency Investigators, SOU, Narcotics unit, Civil unit officers, officers from Bay Minette PD, and Multiple agents from the ATF. Sadly I know I am leaving some out. This case was ultimately deemed a Major Crimes Unit case. During this time our unit had some internal personnel issues which directly affected our Captain at the time and another employee. I was asked to step into the Captain role while dealing with a mass shooting within our community. With the assistance of my unit Sargent's and Corporals we were able to stay on task with the shooting and keep the ship afloat as a unit. I made myself available to all within the unit both professionally and personally to help in coping and dealing with all that was occurring within our unit. This definitely helped solidify unit trust and respect amongst us all.
Lastly, within a month of being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, I was faced with one of my employees making misogynistic and disparaging comments about women in general on his social media. This sent shockwave's throughout the agency and numerous Officers reached out to me regarding their feeling s on the matter. I was asked to handle the Administrative review of the case and to also be part of the Disciplinary Hearing that followed. Ultimately the employee was allowed to resign in lieu of termination.
Timeline
Lieutenant (Investigations Command)
Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
12.2022 - Current
Certificate of Training - Background Investigations
Background Investigations
Certificate of Training - Internal Affairs Investigations
Internal Affairs Investigations
Certificate - Command And Staff Leadership
National Command And Staff College
Certified Trilogy Leadership Graduate - Supervisor/Executive/Command Leadership
FBI-Leeda Trilogy Graduate
Certificate of Training - Lead Homicide Investigator
Lead Homicide Investigator
Certificate of Training - Crisis Negotiations
FBI Basic Crisis Negotiator
Certificate of Training - Negotiator Level 2
Crisis Negotiator Level 2
Certificate of Training - Institute For Credible Leadership Development
Ethical Leadership Training
Certificate of Training - Advanced Sex Crimes Investigations
Advanced Sex Crimes Investigator
Certificate of Training - Advanced Homicide Investigative Techniques
Advanced Practical Homicide Investigations
Certificate of Training - Advanced Interviewing Techniques
Interviewing The Sexual Deviant
Certificate of Training - White Collar Crime Investigations
White Collar Crime Fraud Investigator
Certificate of Training - Advanced Death Investigations
Medicolegal Death Investigations
Certificate of Training - Advanced Interview Tactics
Advanced Reid Interview And Interrogation
Certificate of Training - Advanced Crime Scene Investigations
FBI Advanced Crime Scene Investigator
Certificate of Training - Major Crimes Investigations
USDOJ Investigations of Major Crimes
Certificate of Training - Basic SWAT School
FBI Basic SWAT
APOST Certificate - Law Enforcement
Alabama Peace Officers Standards And Training
Certificate in Surface Supplied Mixed Gas Diving - Commercial Diving Industry
College of Oceaneering
Initial Medical/undersea Theory - Diving Medicine
Naval Undersea Medical Institute
Aviation Medicine Technologist - Aerospace Medicine
NAMI Aerospace Medicine
Naval Hospital Corpsman - Fleet And Field Medicine
Naval Hospital Corpsman School
High School Diploma -
Aptos High School