Det. Valdez obtained a BA in Criminal Justice at CSU, after growing up in Grand Junction.  He started his law enforcement career in Berthoud, Colorado; before progressing to Lakewood Police Department.  During his seven years in Lakewood, Valdez worked special assignments including the Neighborhood Action Team, Lakewood Gang Unit, Denver Metro Gang Unit, and Vice and Intelligence.  He worked undercover for gang operations (particularly Hispanic gangs), and for prostitution stings (Escort Services, Massage Parlors, and Street Walkers).  While at the Metro Gang Task Force, Valdez learned the nuts and bolts of RICCO and COCCA cases.  Valdez transfered to GJPD in 2006, and was able to utilize his expertise in working the Fuji Oriental Massage case, and recently, the Operation Hybird gang case on the Hawthorne Park crew.  He is currently assigned to the Investigations Division as a Detective for the Vice and Intelligence Unit.

Western Colorado Peace Officers Association

SPRING CONFERENCE 2010

Grand Junction, Colorado

April 27, 28 & 29

Inv. Tyler Tobias is a 15-year veteran with the Colorado State Patrol, with the last 12 years being assigned to investigations.  From his inception in investigations, he has worked outlaw motorcycle gangs, including rallies, runs, special events, and swap meets.  Tobias is a member of the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association, and teaches OMG awareness to law enforcement officers throughout Colorado and the surrounding states.  Tobias has been an instructor for WCPOA in the past, and we are pleased to welcome him back.

Agent Kirby Lewis has been employed by CBI for six years, with a total law enforcement career of over 20 years.  He is a court recognized expert in the area of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Identification and investigation in the State of South Dakota.  Lewis is a Board member of the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association, and presented training material at the IOMGIA conferences, as well as throughout Colorado and surrounding states.  He participated in run enforcement for the national runs for the Hells Angeles and the Bandidos.  Lewis has supported law enforcement efforts for the Laughlin rally, Sturgis rally and the Iron Horse rally in Ignacio.

Special Agent Richard Ptak graduated from Michigan State University in 1992, with a degree in Accounting; and received his CPA certification in 1994.   Ptak started his career with the Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, before transferring to the Defense General Investigative Service as a Special Agent, where he served for three years.  Ptak now works for the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Unit as a Special Agent, a position he has held for 13 years.  In 2004, Ptak headed to Iraq as a Financial Investigator attached to the Iraq Survey Group and the Multi-Force National Iraq.  He is currently a firearms and a defense tactics instructor.