Degrees & Schools:
Master of Criminal Justice, New Mexico State University, May 1999
Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Minor in History, New Mexico State University, May 1997
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, New Mexico State University, May 1997
Certifications:
Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Control Tactics Instructor, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Use of Force Instructor, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Areas of Interest: Law Enforcement, Terrorism, Leadership, Executive Protection, Use of Force, Counterintelligence, Counter Terrorism, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, Recidivism, Substance Abuse Impacts
James “Jim” Breckenridge brings over 23 years of law enforcement and leadership experience to the classroom. Jim began his Federal Law Enforcement career as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service in Albuquerque, NM in 1999 where he conducted multiple criminal investigations involving counterfeit currency, bank & credit card fraud, identity theft and threats against the President, Vice President, and other Secret Service protectees. As part of his duties, Jim performed a multitude of physical protection assignments both domestically and abroad. While with U.S. Secret Service, Jim performed forensic computer examinations in support of Secret Service investigative priorities, to include counterfeiting, fraud, protective operations, and child exploitation. He transferred to Washington, D.C. in January 2007 and served on the physical protection details for the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Vice President that took him to many destinations in the US and abroad.
In February 2008, Jim returned to Albuquerque as a Special Agent with the US Department of Energy (Department), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations. Jim conducted criminal and civil contract and grant fraud investigations involving significant Department and National Nuclear Security Administration programs. Jim continued to perform computer forensic examinations and cyber investigations while also becoming a certified Control Tactics Instructor and Use of Force Instructor. In 2010, Jim was promoted to be an Assistant Special Agent in Charge where he successfully led a team of Special Agents investigating Department matters throughout the southwestern part of the US. In 2015, Jim was promoted to be the Special Agent in Charge for the OIG’s Western Field Operations team. As the WFO SAC, Jim led a team of over 2 dozen investigative personnel who carried out investigations impacting all Department sites, programs and personnel west of the Mississippi River. Presently, Jim is the Special Agent in Charge of Headquarters Operations for the Department OIG’s Office of Investigations where he responsible for leading a team supporting the entire Office of Investigations to update policy & procedures, provides operational guidance, equipment procurement, quality control and facilitate human resource needs. Throughout his career, Jim has successfully partnered with numerous other federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement organizations and prosecutive entities.
Jim is an active member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Jim has received multiple awards and commendations for outstanding work he has performed with the US Secret Service and the Department of Energy, OIG. Jim, and the investigative teams he has led, have been recognized by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) for Investigative Excellence.
Jim is an NMSU football program alumni and was the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for NMSU in 1996. He is married to the love of his life, an NMSU Electrical Engineering Alumni and together they are raising two children. Jim enjoys spending time with his family and doing outdoor activities.
