Kristen Allen
Gibsonia
Summary
Security and law enforcement professional with over 20 years of experience in access control, surveillance operations, and emergency communications. Demonstrates shift-level leadership by training personnel and coordinating with emergency services, ensuring compliance with security protocols while enhancing team efficiency during high-profile events.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Building Security Officer
OVG Group
Pittsburgh
07.2025 - Current
- Maintain a secure environment for a major sports and entertainment venue hosting 150+ annual events and over 1.6M guests.
- Monitor entrances, exits, and credentialled access points; verify employee, athlete, contractor, and vendor credentials.
- Monitored CCTV systems from Security Command Center; identified, assessed, and responded to security incidents to maintain venue safety.
- Operate X-ray and metal detection equipment; enforce venue access protocols.
- Coordinate access control for home/visiting teams, touring productions, and event operations.
- Provided shift-level leadership by coordinating officer deployment, mentoring new personnel, and ensuring operational readiness.
- Train newly hired security personnel on daily operations, safety procedures, and venue protocols.
- Supported consistent application of venue security policies and contributed operational insights to enhance procedural effectiveness.
Police Dispatcher
Point Park University
Pittsburgh
06.2021 - 10.2021
- Led overnight dispatcher team, streamlined officer deployment, and ensured continuous communication with emergency services for incident resolution.
- Answered emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatched university police officers to incidents across campus.
- Coordinated response efforts with municipal police, fire departments, and Allegheny County 911 to ensure effective emergency management.
- Acted as primary coordination point for security operations, facilitating collaboration among police, fire, EMS, and county emergency services.
- Ensured adherence to emergency communication SOPs, fire panel escalation procedures, and reporting protocols.
- Monitored campus-wide and downtown Pittsburgh camera systems for situational awareness.
- Trained newly hired dispatchers and administrative staff.
- Operated and supported physical security systems including CCTV, access control, fire panels, intrusion alarms, and radio communications.
- Worked effectively within unionized public safety environments.
Telecommunications Operator
Allegheny County 911
Moon Township
11.2020 - 06.2021
- Answered 911 calls for medical, police, and fire emergencies, guiding callers through pre-arrival instructions using ProQA to enhance response effectiveness.
- Utilized Phase II and RapidSOS tools to determine caller locations.
- Maintained communication with first responders; facilitating timely and safe scene responses during emergencies.
- Coordinated emergency communications with public safety agencies to streamline incident response and ensure collaborative efforts.
- Completed training with the Allegheny County Fire Marshal; coordinated with fire, EMS, and police personnel during emergency incidents.
- Supported county-wide emergency response protocols and documentation requirements.
Security Officer
Fort Stewart Exchange
Fort Stewart
01.2016 - 11.2016
- Controlled access to military exchange facility, ensuring safe escorting of visitors and deliveries.
- Operated CCTV systems for loss prevention and security monitoring.
- Maintained key registers while monitoring fire, intrusion, and duress alarms to enhance facility security.
- Operated and supported physical security systems including CCTV, access control, fire panels, intrusion alarms, and radio communications.
- Ensured consistent application of organizational security policies and contributed operational insight to procedural improvements.
- Trained new personnel and supported operational readiness.
- Maintained accountability for security equipment, key control systems, and access assets.
- Coordinated with external partners, including fire marshals and emergency services, to ensure effective response and support.
Police Officer
UPMC Children's Hospital
Pittsburgh
01.2013 - 08.2013
- Conducted investigations, prepared case files, and testified in legal proceedings.
- Escorted and maintained custody of detainees during judicial processes.
- Coordinated emergency response using CAD and radio systems, enhancing communication and operational effectiveness.
- Enforced access control and identity verification for staff, visitors, and contractors in a high-security pediatric hospital.
- Applied organizational security policies consistently and provided operational insights that informed procedural improvements.
- Conducted NCIC and AFIS queries; maintained warrant entries and sensitive criminal justice data.
- Secured medical equipment and communications infrastructure while safeguarding patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Provided shift-level leadership and trained new personnel to ensure consistent security operations.
- Operated and supported physical security systems including CCTV, access control, fire panels, intrusion alarms, and radio communications.
Police Officer / Acting Dispatcher
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh
04.2004 - 01.2006
- Coordinated between campus security and municipal police, fire, EMS, and county emergency services to streamline emergency response efforts.
- Conducted evacuation procedures and supported emergency response drills.
- Patrolled a 48-acre, 46-building campus; enforced access control for restricted facilities including executive offices.
- Managed campus master key inventory and oversaw badge-based entry and surveillance systems to enhance security and access control.
- Monitored surveillance video for university properties across surrounding urban areas.
- Delivered crime prevention and safety training to students, faculty, and staff, fostering a safer campus environment.
- Provided shift-level leadership and coordinated officer deployment.
- Ensured consistent application of organizational security policies and contributed operational insight to procedural improvements.
- Operated and supported physical security systems including CCTV, access control, fire panels, intrusion alarms, and radio communications.
Police Officer
City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Pittsburgh
12.2001 - 07.2004
- Conducted criminal investigations; collected forensic evidence and maintained chain of custody.
- Collaborated with prosecutors and partner agencies to prepare cases, providing testimony in court to support legal proceedings.
- Performed AFIS queries, NCIC checks, and warrant submissions.
- Oversaw access to sensitive police equipment and evidence lockers to ensure security protocols were followed.
- Delivered executive and celebrity security for assigned shifts and special events, ensuring safety and risk mitigation.
- Utilized multi-environment security experience to enhance situational awareness and inform decision-making during high-profile events.
- Worked effectively within unionized public safety environments.
Caseworker II
Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services
Pittsburgh
08.1998 - 12.2001
- Coordinated with courts, law enforcement, and service providers to support custody proceedings; testified in court to advocate for child welfare.
- Conducted safety and risk assessments to ensure child well-being; monitored children for signs of trauma, abuse, and neglect.
- Trained foster parents and managed caseload of 30+ families to provide guidance and support in foster care placements.
- Conducted home safety and compliance checks in coordination with the Fire Marshal.
- Facilitated communication between municipal officers and court officers to ensure effective collaboration. between municipal officers and court officers.
Education
Master of Arts - Business & Organizational Security Management
Webster University
St. Louis, MOBachelor of Arts - Sociology, Criminal Justice & Psychology
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PASkills
- Security Operations
- Access control
- Surveillance monitoring
- Safety panel monitoring
- Emergency communication
- Incident Reporting
- Policy compliance
- Risk evaluation
- Safety Regulations
- Interagency collaboration
- Training & Onboarding
- MS Office Suite
Certification
- Pennsylvania Act 120 Municipal Police Officer Certification
- Firearms Certification
- First Responder Certification
- OC/Pepper Spray Certification
- Taser Certification
- Active shooter response training
- FEMA-related coursework through graduate studies
- Yellow Belt in Krav Maga
Timeline
Building Security Officer
OVG Group
07.2025 - Current
Police Dispatcher
Point Park University
06.2021 - 10.2021
Telecommunications Operator
Allegheny County 911
11.2020 - 06.2021
Security Officer
Fort Stewart Exchange
01.2016 - 11.2016
Police Officer
UPMC Children's Hospital
01.2013 - 08.2013
Police Officer / Acting Dispatcher
Duquesne University
04.2004 - 01.2006
Police Officer
City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
12.2001 - 07.2004
Caseworker II
Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services
08.1998 - 12.2001
Master of Arts - Business & Organizational Security Management
Webster University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Criminal Justice & Psychology
Duquesne University