NAPSPS Webinar Session Recording– Recruiting Sworn Law Enforcement

2025 Emergency Operations Center of the Future Conference Speaker

Tipi Brookins is a native of Gloucester County, New Jersey, and is a seasoned Public Safety Communications professional with over twenty-three years of experience. She began her career as a 971 Call Taker, Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer, Training and Quality Assurance Specialist, and 911 Supervisor, having filled the shoes of a first responder. Tipi has worked in many roles that include Teletype Unit Manager for the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Training and Quality Assurance Manager, Chief of the Office of Professional Standards and Development, and Chief of Staff for the DC Office of Unified Communications. In that latter position, she handles several units, including the Wellness Program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.

Ms. Brookins has proven skills, expertise, and mastery when designing, developing, implementing, and coordinating organizational development and training programs. Tipi also has a desire for organizational change. She was named Chair of the Training Subcommittee for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 2022, received her Center Manager Certification from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), serves with the Association of Public Safety Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, and currently chairs the agency’s Culture task force. Tipi inspires and encourages others to lead by example with purpose and integrity and to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.

Lieutenant Anthony Gibson began his career at the Charleston Police Department as an intern in 2013 and now serves as the Commander of the Office of Public Affairs. In this capacity, he leads the Public Information Team, the Recruitment, Selection, and Retention Unit, and grants coordination. His prior roles include serving as the Public Information Officer and the sergeant on a nationally recognized recruitment and retention team known for its strategic and evidence-based approaches to law enforcement staffing post-2020. He and his team have presented nationally and internationally on these efforts in the hopes of improving law enforcement hiring and retention.

His applied research focuses on strategic messaging and officer retention strategies. He holds a B.S. in Psychology and a master’s in public administration. Additionally, Lt. Gibson serves as an executive board member of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing, and is a fellow with both the National Policing Institute and the Michigan State Police Staffing Observatory.

Antoinette Tull is the founder of Hurtle LLC, a consultancy specializing in leadership development, public safety HR, and executive searches. With more than 25 years of experience as an HR strategist, facilitator, and executive search consultant, she has strengthened organizations across public safety, human services, and nonprofits.

Antoinette previously served as Chief of Human Resources for the Richmond (VA) Police Department, then the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Virginia, where she oversaw all aspects of HR. She became nationally recognized for her expertise in recruitment, retention, and leadership development, which remain central to her work today. She now partners with municipalities, universities, and other public sector organizations nationwide to deliver strategic HR solutions, provide leadership training, and lead executive searches for transformational leaders in police departments and beyond.

A sought-after trainer and facilitator, Antoinette is known for creating interactive, practical learning experiences on topics such as best practices in recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and organizational wellness. She also contributes her expertise through service on the 30×30 Initiative Advisory Board and her volunteer work with the Urban League of Greater Richmond, Henrico County Police, and the Chesterfield County Personnel Appeals Board.

After majoring in Human Resource Management at the University of Richmond, she obtained professional HR certifications, including PHR, SHRM-CP, HRPM, and DEI. Recognized as both a practitioner and thought leader, she continues to shape the future of HR in public safety through her strategic leadership and community service.