Dr. Pannell joined LAPD in 2000, where she served as a Police Psychologist at Behavioral Science Services until 2005. Following that, she was promoted to the role of Director of Police Training and Education for 18 years. Dr. Pannell played a pivotal role in the design, development, and oversight of LAPD’s training curriculum, from basic academy training to advanced levels, including command staff.  

One of her career highlights was leading the redesign team for the LAPD Academy which was implemented in 2008. This redesign introduced a training model rooted in problem-based learning and enriched scenario training.  Dr. Pannell subsequently updated Department courses at all levels to align these progressive educational methodologies, emphasizing LAPD’s Mission, Vision, and Values. 

Throughout her LAPD tenure, Dr. Pannell engaged police professionals nationally and internationally, studying best practices and innovations in police training. Her areas of focus included scenario-based training, emotional intelligence, procedural justice, officer wellness, resiliency, and virtual reality. She served as the co-chair of the Interpol Group of Experts on Police Training (IGEPT) from 2009 to 2011. 

In 2017, she led a syndicate group in organizational leadership at the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM). She has served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Global Consortium of Law Enforcement Training Executives (GCLETE) since 2020 and has expanded her role to include the Board of Directors. 

While at LAPD, Dr. Pannell demonstrated her commitment to incorporating academic and community insight into training by co-chairing the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) for 18 years. The PAC created a forum for integrating evidence-based policing practices, updated educational methodology, and current community expectations into police training.  PAC members reviewed Department policies and training materials regarding human relations and vulnerable populations, ensuring diverse community feedback within the training process. 

Her research has centered on topics such as the impact of exposure to community violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, resiliency, post-traumatic growth, and organizational change. She co-authored a chapter on Shaping Culture in the book, “Leadership in Dangerous Situations: A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and First Responders” in 2011, with a second edition published in 2022. Dr. Pannell has also contributed articles to professional journals, addressing subjects ranging from the importance of partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals to enhancing training outcomes for law enforcement.

Dr. Pannell’s education includes a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Seminary’s School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA, as well as a master’s degree in theology with a focus on Cross-Cultural Studies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. 

Prior to joining the LAPD, Dr. Pannell spent several years working within Community Mental Health and the Veterans Administration, offering consultation to victims and families exposed to traumatic instances and violence. Her dissertation research was on “Children Exposed to Community Violence, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Parental Monitoring.”

After 23 years with the LAPD, Dr. Pannell currently serves as CEO of Exceptional Edge Consulting in San Gabriel, CA. Additionally she holds the position of Director of Instructional Design & Academic Innovation for the Policing Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago, Urban Crime Lab. This newly launched academy and one-of-a-kind educational experience provides emerging leaders in law enforcement from across the U.S. and U.K. with hands-on education in data-driven strategies to reduce violence and build community trust.