Christian Dobratz formerly served as a licensed Peace Officer in the State of Minnesota, and has been a collegiate professor since 2008, teaching in the Law Enforcement Program at MN State University Mankato. As a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Instructor, Christian primarily teaches courses related to Police Stress, Law Officer Mindset II (formerly Tactical Communications), Defensive Tactics and Physical Fitness for Officers, as well as Narcotics Investigations.
Prior to Christian’s current teaching load, he also has taught courses in criminal investigations, political science, police emergency response procedures (now law officer mindset I), criminal code, report writing, and interview & interrogation. Christian brings 18 years of licensed law enforcement experience to the program, where he previously served roles such as a Patrol Officer, General and Juvenile Detective, Forensic Examiner for the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, Narcotics Detective, Drug Task Force Coordinator, Patrol Sergeant and Watch Commander. The last seven years of his career, his primary role was that of a Detective Sergeant, where he oversaw both the Detective and Records Division, and was a member of the McLeod County Child Protection Team. Christian is an active member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) where he has presented and instructed for several years in areas of police stress management, and the reduction of and increased awareness of Police Officer suicides. He is also a Member of the National Center for Crisis Management, in collaboration with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and is also listed in the professional directory of The National Center for Crisis Management. Christian’s research interests are in the areas of Police Stress, stress related to retirement, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), medical disabilities, line of duty injuries, and the reduction/awareness of police suicide.
