Rita J. Watkins, Ed.D., LPC-S

Dr. Rita J. Watkins retired in January 2024 as Executive Director of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), capping a distinguished career of over four decades in criminal justice and law enforcement education. Prior to leading LEMIT, Dr. Watkins served as Project Manager for the Leadership Command College (LCC), shaping future law enforcement leaders through her visionary leadership.

Dr. Watkins earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Sam Houston State University, a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Counseling from Sam Houston State University. Her career began as a juvenile probation officer and progressed through roles in policing at the municipal and county levels, where she served as Chief Deputy. She is a certified instructor with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and a mediator, as well as a graduate of LCC and the FBI National Academy.

At LEMIT, Dr. Watkins left a legacy in law enforcement education, excelling in curriculum design, strategic planning, and professional development. Her focus is on ethics, conflict resolution, leadership, and first responder wellness addressing critical issues like grief and trauma, emphasizing post-critical incident care. She continues to contribute to law enforcement reform, critical decision-making, and leadership development.

Dr. Watkins co-authored Forgotten Heroes, honoring women officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Her unwavering dedication to education, leadership, and the well-being of first responders continues to inspire the profession she served so faithfully. She also co-authored a book on the history of LEMIT, The First Thirty Years of LEMIT.