ABOUT DAVE FREEDLAND
Dave Freedland is a 34-year decorated law enforcement professional having served with the Irvine Police, and the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Departments. Following a competitive athletic career culminating with the award of “UCLA’s Most Valuable Gymnast,” he graduated first in his Sheriff’s academy class. While serving with the Irvine Police Department he worked in a variety of assignments including Detectives, Patrol, Training, Internal Affairs, SWAT, and retired at the rank of Deputy Chief. As a SWAT team leader, he supervised operations for numerous barricade and hostage incidents, and was the recipient of several awards including “Police Officer of the Year”and the “Meritorious Service Award.” As a SWAT commander he was recognized for his contributions in the establishment of the country’s first county-level counter-terrorist unit incorporating SWAT, bomb disposal, and hazardous materials disciplines. He currently trains and teaches martial arts in Orange County, having attained a 6th degree black belt in Japanese Shotokan karate.
MORE ABOUT DAVE
Following a competitive athletic career culminating with the award of “UCLA’s Most Valuable Gymnast,” Dave Freedland graduated first in his academy class with the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department. After serving as a deputy sheriff for two years, he continued his 34 – year law enforcement career with the Irvine Police Department, working a variety of assignments including Detectives, Patrol, Training, Internal Affairs, SWAT, and retired at the rank of Deputy Chief of Police.
As a SWAT team leader and commander, Deputy Chief Freedland supervised operations for numerous barricade and hostage incidents, presidential protective details, and coordinated security for the southwest Iraqi out-of-country voting program. He was recognized by the Orange County SWAT commanders for his contributions in establishing the country’s first county-level counter-terrorist unit incorporating SWAT, bomb disposal, and hazardous materials disciplines. Deputy Chief Freedland authored a monthly column in Irvine’s Reflections magazine titled, “Commander’s Corner,” which covered public safety issues, and has had several SWAT related articles published in the Tactical Edge, the country’s premier periodical on special weapons and tactics topics
Dave Freedland attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on an athletic scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He earned a Master’s Degree in public administration from Pepperdine University, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
As a competitor in martial arts, he is a former Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national karate champion, and has trained in Japan, earning a 6th degree black belt in Japanese Shotokan karate.