Interview and Interrogation Training

Paul Francois is a retired lieutenant from the San Jose Police Department with 29 years of law enforcement experience. Paul’s previous assignments include: Patrol Watch Commander, Detective and Supervisor in the Physical Child Abuse Unit, Detective in the Sexual Assault Investigation Unit, Field Training Program Supervisor, and the Office of the Chief of Police in Research and Development. Paul has also received the Police Academy Instructor of the Year Award.

Enrique Garcia is a retired sergeant from the San Jose Police Department with almost 29 years of full-time law enforcement experience, plus 5 previous years in the Reserve Unit. Enrique worked assignments in Patrol and the Field Training Program as an officer and supervisor, Sexual Assaults, Homicide, Robbery, and the Office of the Chief of Police managing the Media Relations Unit. Enrique is a recognized Interview & Interrogation subject-matter expert for the State of California P.O.S.T. Commission. Enrique also received an Investigative Excellence Award from California P.O.S.T. – Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation for solving a complex homicide case.

Captain Brian K. Spears has been with the San Jose Police Department since 1997. He is formerly the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Commander as well as the Child Exploit Detail Supervisor. Brian is also a sworn member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. He has hosted and facilitated various law enforcement symposiums on child exploitation. In addition, Brian has served as a detective in Homicide, Assaults, and Financial Crimes.

Sgt. Rafael Varela has been with the San Jose Police Department since 1999. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from San Jose State University. Rafael is currently assigned as a patrol supervisor. He has worked assignments as a Robbery Detective, Task Force Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE), Special Operations METRO Unit and Patrol. Rafael received California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA) Narcotics Officer of the Year Award in 2012.

Will Manion is a retired Sergeant for the San Jose Police Department. Sgt. Manion started his police career in 1989 and in 27 years of service worked the Narcotic Enforcement Team, Merge (SWAT) Team, DEA Task Force, Homicide Detective and Airport Security Sergeant. Sgt. Manion received (7) major police awards including California Post Investigator of the year award for a Homicide Case where a convicted person was exonerated of a murder he did not commit. 

Julian Quinonez is a retired Lieutenant of 26 years with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.  Julian has served as a member of the Hostage Negotiations Team for 21 years, Patrol Watch Commander, Assistant Division Commander for Investigative Services, and Assistant Division Director for the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.  Julian spent most of his career as a detective and supervisor in the Homicide/Major Crimes Unit.  Julian was awarded Detective of the Year and presented a no-body homicide investigation at a California Homicide Investigators Association conference. Julian received the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation certification, with a specialty in Homicide Investigation.

Sgt. Glenn Albin works for the San Jose Police Department and has been in law enforcement since 1997. He has held a variety of assignments including, Field Training Officer, Homicide Detective,  Reserve Officer Coordinator, Canine Handler, Undercover Narcotics Investigator and Training Instructor. As a detective, Officer Albin received the Outstanding Duty Award for his work on a Capitol Murder case. He is also a graduate of the POST Master Instructor Certification Course (MICC).

Matt Irvine worked as a Detective with the Glendale, California Police Department, investigating sex crimes and family violence before transferring to Robbery/Homicide.  He moved to the San Francisco District Attorney Bureau of Investigations, assigned to public corruption investigations.  Matt reached the rank of Lieutenant, overseeing the Public Corruption Task Force (with the FBI) and the investigation of officer-involved incidents.  After retiring from sworn service, Matt joined the Portland Police Bureau as a background investigator.  He currently works as a cold case sex crimes investigator.  Matt is a graduate of Columbia University, the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the FBI National Academy.

Nuno Tavares has been in law enforcement since 1995 and is currently a Lieutenant with the Placer County DA’s Office. Nuno has been assigned to narcotics and auto theft task forces, crimes against persons, and cold case homicide. Nuno has received numerous commendations, including Investigative Excellence awards from the International Homicide Investigators and CA Robbery Investigators Associations in addition to POST Excellence in Instruction. Nuno is a POST instructor, and an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego. He serves on boards representing Placer County Law Enforcement and California DA Investigators. Nuno holds a M.A. from Saint Mary’s College.

Sgt. Alan Soroka retired from the San Jose Police Department after a 32-year career in law enforcement. He held a variety of assignments including, Field Training Officer, Accident Reconstruction, Academy Instructor, Special Operations, and Training Instructor. Alan testified as a subject matter expert in Grand Jury proceedings of officer involved shooting inquiries. Alan provides chemical agents and weapons of mass destruction instruction to local agencies and the SJPD Academy. Alan was awarded the WDMPD Medal of Valor for his actions in a burning building during a hostage rescue incident. He is a graduate of the POST Master Instructor Certification Course.

Jorge Ramirez is a Captain with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.  He has been in law enforcement for 31-years as an Explorer, Reserve, Dispatcher, Officer, Sergeant, DA Investigator and now Captain. He holds a Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management and is a POST Master Instructor.  Jorge was honored by POST as the 2021 recipient of the award for Excellence in Training by an Individual. He has extensive teaching experience in various law enforcement topics and is recognized as a subject matter expert in several topics.