Shaquinta Gaines

Shaquinta Gaines serves as a Lieutenant and Branch Manager for Equipment and Supply at the DC Police Department in Washington, D.C. A native Washingtonian born and raised in the city, she has dedicated 24 years to law enforcement, inspired by her aunt who was also a DC police officer. Since 2018, her main area of expertise has been leadership, where she supervises, coaches, mentors, and develops subordinate officers while cultivating the next generation of leaders. In her current role, she leads the lifecycle management of department equipment and uniforms, overseeing acquisitions, distribution, tracking, maintenance, replacement, procurement operations, vendor sourcing, and collaboration with command staff on budgeting and operational needs. Previously, she served as a school resource officer in 2014, building relationships with youth and bridging gaps between police and the community. Gaines holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Leadership, a graduate certificate in criminal justice, and a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice, all completed within the last four years after starting her bachelor's in 2022. She has completed the DC Police Leadership Academy Cohort 1, 21st Century Police Leadership Training, NCR Public Safety Leadership through the Council of Governments, and the SHRM Law Enforcement Cohort. Her honors include a Medal of Valor received in 2014 or 2015 and a Meritorious Service Medal. She is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and volunteers with Special Olympics DC and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Gaines attributes her success to leadership programs and advancing her education, and she lives by the advice to never let rank become bigger than character, to develop and coach her people, and to do the right thing even when no one is watching.