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Commanding Presence
Don Currier
 Whether serving in Iraq or working for a high-profile governor, U.S. Army Col. Don Currier (Criminal Justice, ’84) says he manages to stay grounded.
“I know how things will play out in the field,” says Currier, who began his dual career as both a cop and an Army private. “I have enough experience to know the way things are in reality.”
For 25 years Currier has influenced criminal justice decisions at the city, county, state, national and even international levels while remaining close to the fray. And he will continue to do so following his recent appointment by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to be the chief legal counsel for the California State Lottery. Before leaving for Iraq this past summer, Currier worked as Schwarzenegger’s deputy cabinet secretary on emergency services and military issues.
“Don was a dedicated member of my staff and I know he led his soldiers with that same zeal and integrity,” Schwarzenegger says. “I’m pleased to know he is home safe and willing to serve California again.”
In Iraq, Currier commanded 4,000 military police as they trained 150,000 Iraqi police officers in Baghdad. He says citizens are struggling to find faith in the country’s new justice system which lacks clear cooperation between law agencies, and firm jurisdictional boundaries. Despite the challenges, Currier says he is “proud of the gains we made in training police officers.”
Currier’s civilian career has included stints with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning under Pete Wilson, the State Assembly Committee on public safety, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and the Sacramento City Police Department.
His military assignments have included operating an enemy prisoner of war camp in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and working as a military police company commander during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Though accustomed to positions of influence, Currier strives to ensure that government officials make realistic decisions, just as he does of his soldiers.
“When I tell a soldier to do something, it isn’t something I wouldn’t do,” Currier says. “And chances are it isn’t something I haven’t already done.”
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