Coleen Ryan Wallace
Ryan-Wallace now serves as a Senior United States Probation Officer with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In this role, she works closely with the federal judiciary to supervise individuals on probation and supervised release. In a profession where only 7,000 individuals serve nationally, it as a true honor to serve in her current position. She approaches supervision with both accountability and empathy, viewing her role not only as law enforcement but also as a catalyst for meaningful change. Throughout her career, Ryan-Wallace has been deeply committed to safety, training, and mentorship. She has served as a defensive tactics instructor for nearly two decades and currently advocates for officer safety, professional development, and vulnerable populations while helping justice-involved individuals successfully reintegrate into society. Ryan Wallace is proof women in criminal justice careers can excel and aspire to leadership roles.
In her current role, she continues to train officers, serves as Co-Chair of the Safety Committee, and participates in district working groups while advocating for officer safety and professional development. She is also involved with the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association, supporting collaboration and advancement within the profession. Guided by her Catholic faith and supported by her family, Ryan-Wallace remains passionate about serving her community and advocating for vulnerable populations, while helping individuals in the justice system rebuild their lives with dignity and opportunity.
• SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention) Instructor
• Civilian Self-Defense Instructor
• ORT (Defensive Tactics) Instructor
• PPCT Defensive Tactics and Control Force Instructor (Patrol and Corrections Certified)
• CMVC (Criminogenic Needs and Violence Curriculum) National Trainer
• MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) Trained
• PCRA (Post Conviction Risk Assessment)Trainer
• University of Louisiana Monroe - MA, Criminal Justice and Corrections
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette - BA, Political Science and Government
• Published Research Article: A Paradoxical Analysis of Social Learning Theory As Applied to the Potential Reform of Terrorist Offenders
• Lambda Alpha Epsilon National Criminal Justice Honor Society Member
• FPPOA (Federal Probation and Parole Officers Association)
• Lambda Alpha Epsilon National Criminal Justice Honor Society
• Animal Welfare and Rescue (Abused/Neglected Animals)
• Child Advocacy and Protection
• Elder Care Advocacy
• Human Trafficking Prevention
• Church Community Service and Fundraising
• Mission Support for Children in Guatemala and Puerto Rico
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to several key influences and experiences that have shaped who I am both personally and professionally. First and foremost, my mother, retired Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the Western District of Louisiana, and uncle, retired FBI Special Agent and S.W.A.T. Team Leader for the Dallas Division. They have been strong supporters throughout my career offering sound guidance and strength as I’ve navigated this challenging and ever-changing field. They fostered strong beliefs of treating all individuals with dignity and respect while working to enhance the lives of those around you. My current supervisor has also been a tremendous influence both personally and professionally. He's been instrumental in my professional development helping me to achieve my goals in ways that I can be a positive influence both to the community I serve and the agency I’m most honored to be a part of. His support and mentorship have had a profound impact in my life. These individuals were wonderful role models who demonstrated what it meant to lead from where you stand.
My educational background has also been crucial to my success. That academic foundation gave me the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to understand the complexities of human behavior and the criminal justice system. Finally, my faith provides the structure and framework for my work in this field. My belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I am committed to making communities safer by helping those who wish to improve their lives with sustained change for long-term success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received emphasized the importance of understanding the field's realities, having a strong support system, aligning my personal goals with the demands of the job, and resiliency.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women contemplating law enforcement careers to learn all they can to prepare for the physical, mental, and emotional demands of modern law enforcement. Training and preparation are keys not only to success but more importantly, survival. I would encourage new officers to continue with professional development to meet the ever changing demands of criminal justice careers. Prospective female officers need to also assess how to achieve and maintain a healthy work-life balance which is critical for continued success in this field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The criminal justice field has largely been a male dominated field. However, this ever-changing field has shown a significant increase in the ratio of females in law enforcement. Females have proven particularly successful with conflict resolution, de-escalation tactics, and crisis intervention.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me center around helping people and treating everyone with dignity and respect. I've always had a passion for helping others - it's something intrinsic and was encouraged in my upbringing. In this field, we don't just protect the community - we serve it. I see my role as being a change agent, fostering positive growth and helping people successfully transition. I want to help people who have been cast aside by traditional law enforcement organizations, those others might say are hopeless.
I also deeply value a healthy work-life balance and maintaining strong support systems. I'm very active in my religious community and believe in giving back through service. I was blessed with a very strong, supportive family and feel called to give back to the communities I serve.