Kathy Adams

 Special agent Adams has been in law enforcement for over 33 years. In that time, she has functioned in numerous roles. These duties included, police officer, instructor, FBI special agent, task force leader/member, lead investigator, and SWAT team leader/operator.  In addition, she is an experienced crisis negotiator, expert witness in court procedures and a pivotal team member for solving crimes and providing testimony resulting in successful prosecutions. Some of her high-profile cases have been featured on the shows 60 minutes, Dateline, and Forensic Files.  Special Agent Adams is a dedicated law enforcement professional and has a comprehensive understanding of all facets involved in a criminal investigation.  
​
EDUCATION
Masters of Science in Criminalistics December 1981
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Study of Comparative Legal Systems Summer 1981
University of Copenhagen, Denmark and University of Lund, Sweden
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico May 1980
Bachelors of Science in Police Science
Bachelors of Art in Government

EXPERIENCE
Baltimore City Police Department Police Officer July 1982-May 1986:
  • She worked in high crime areas focusing on crimes in progress and crime prevention. 
  • Became the first female Quick Response Team member and became skilled in responding quickly and efficiently to high risk situations under stress.
  • She functioned as an instructor in the Baltimore Police Academy involving hiring of new recruits and in-service police officers

Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans, Louisiana
Special Agent​ May 1986-September 1997
  • Responsible for working violent crime, gangs, drugs, and police corruption. 
  • Worked several high-profile cases as lead investigator
  • Qualified as the first female SWAT team operator and her team was utilized often for search warrants and high risk arrests. Her team responded to the WACO incident where she also worked with the FBI hostage rescue team.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Central Illinois, 
Special Agent May 1997-January 2015
  • Agent Adams successfully coordinated the Eastern Illinois Safe Streets Task Force which consisted of local and state law enforcement. 
  • She was responsible for working violent crime and public corruption cases with local and state law enforcement which led to numerous amounts of successful prosecutions. She was involved with the investigation which led to the dismantling of the gang “Gangster Disciples” in Springfield, Illinois.

During her tenure with the FBI she: 
  • Served as the division coordinator for the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension program coordinating with the behavioral sciences unit located in Virginia, and law enforcement throughout Illinois.
  • Served as the SWAT Team Leader/Operator ​ May 1997-January 2015
  • Became the first female SWAT team leader and operator responsible for a team in many successful missions throughout the state of Illinois. 
  • Served as crisis negotiator responding to hostage, barricade, and high risk arrests. 
  • Provided basic crisis/hostage negotiations training to local and federal law enforcement. June 1998-January 2015

AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
Member, Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI 
Certificate of Commendation, Champaign Police Department
FBI Director's award for outstanding contributions in law enforcement
Extraordinary Service Award, Metropolitan crime commission of New Orleans
Bronze star, life saving action as a police officer