Gate - Trainer - Robert Tornabene

Robert Tornabene

Robert Tornabene is a police officer working with the Niles Illinois Police Department. In his 15 year career Mr. Tornabene he has worked in patrol, investigations and is presently serving in the capacity of Sergeant in the Patrol Division.

Mr. Tornabene is also the founder of the Gang Awareness Training Education program and the President of GATE America Inc.

Courses of Instruction

• Gang Awareness & Recognition
• Gang Awareness & Student Management
• Internet Safety for Educators
• Crisis Preparedness for Schools
• Homeland Security the Role of Every Officer
• GATE Instructor Certification

Certification & Training

State Certified Gang Specialist, State Certified Juvenile Specialist, State Certified Evidence Technician, State Certified Breathalyzer Operator, State Certified Truck Enforcement Officer, State Certified Designer Drug Instructor, Nationally Certified Police Cyclist , Nationally Certified School Resource Officer, Trained by Federal Bureau of Investigations in Domestic and International Terrorism, Trained in both basic, Advanced Reid Interview and Interrogation Techniques, Communications Tactics, Gang Prevention and Suppression Techniques, State Certified, Crime Prevention Officer, Street Survival Spanish, De-escalation Strategies for Street Survival, Counseling Parents of Juvenile Delinquents, Emergency Operations Center Coordinator, Community Emergency Response Team Trainer, Terrorism Awareness – ITOA , First Responders to Critical Incidents, Haz-Mat Awareness, Landlord Training Program, Cops In Schools, School Violence Issues: Protecting Our Schools In Illinois, Rave/Club Drug Awareness Seminar, Terrorism Intelligence Specialist. Explosive Recognition: Bomb and Security Planning, PPCT Instructor Training in Disruptive Student Management System

Awards & Achievements

• Recipient of the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award 2005, by the National Gang Crime Research Center for Lifetime Efforts in the prevention of gang activity.
• Awarded “2004 Police Officer of the Year” by the Niles Chamber of Commerce
• Recipient of Frederic Milton Thrasher Award 2001, by National Gang Crime Research Center for Outstanding Intervention Efforts in dealing with gangs.
• Recipient of Frederic Milton Thrasher Award 2001, by the National Gang Crime Research Center for Exemplary Prevention Programs.
• Recipient of Gang Investigator of the Year, 1998 by Midwest Gang Investigators Association – Illinois Chapter.
• Creator and Developer of the Gang Awareness Training Education Program (G.A.T.E.)
• First School Resource Officer in the Department’s history
• First Bicycle Patrol Officer in the Department’s history
• First Community Policing Officer in the Department’s history.
• 1 Chiefs Award of Merit
• For Community Policing efforts to reduce crime and improve quality of life issues in the officer’s COPS beat.
• 3 Distinguished Duty Declarations
• Arrest of suspect in possession of controlled substance and loaded firearm resulting in class X felony.
• Identifying suspects and recovering proceeds from Residential Burglary based on confidential informants.
• Recognition for officer’s efforts to reduce and prevent gang activity.
• 40 Performance Reports

Public Speaking

• Illinois Department of Education - Pupil Transportation 2006
• Illinois Association of Pupil Transportation Conference, 2006
• NASRO National Conference, Dallas Texas July 2005
• Gangs 101 Seminar, GATE America 2004, 2005 & 2006
• Presented at the National Gang Crime Research Center Conference 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005
• Illinois Crime Prevention Association Conference 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Illinois School Resource Officers Association Training Conference 2004
• Training of Niles Police Officers, 4 - Hour Gang Identification Course 2002.
• Terrorism Preparedness in the Workplace 2004
• Terrorism Preparedness in Educational Institutions 2004
• Child Abduction Awareness 2003.

Articles Published.

• Journal of the National Gang Crime Research Center Training Symposium, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
• U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2004 – Best Practices in Community Policing and Homeland Security.
• Homeland Security – The Role of Every Law Enforcement Officer
• School Advisory System, Illinois Emergency Management Agency
• The Ultimate Terror Attack to Cripple A Nation.
• Gangs, Terrorism and the Threat to America, MGIA National Bulletin.

Media

• 12/27/2005 Newport Newspaper, “United, ongoing efforts fight gangs best” by Angela Forest.
• 5/1/2006 Daily Herald, “Reciprocal Reporting Agreement in U46 Causes problems for local municipalities” by Emily Ngo
• 3/1/2006 U.S. Conference of Mayors – Best Practices in Gang Prevention and Intervention

Association Membership

• Midwest Gang Investigators Association
• Member of National Gang Crime Research Center
• Member of the National School Resource Officers Association
• Member of the Illinois School Resource Officers Association – Former Board Member
• Member of International Police Mountain Bike Association
• Member of the Illinois Crime Prevention Association – Former Vice President (2005)