Joe Liwak — Instructor Profile

About Joe Liwak

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Officer Joe Liwak is a proud U.S. Army Veteran who has dedicated his career to protecting his community through proactive policing and tactical enforcement.

After graduating from the Police Academy in 2019, Joe began his law enforcement career with the Killeen Police Department, where he was assigned to the Patrol Division until 2021. During his time in patrol, he demonstrated a strong aptitude for street-level investigations and a passion for addressing violent crime.

In 2021, Joe founded the Violent Crime Action Team (VCAT), a specialized unit designed to combat gang-related violence throughout Killeen and Bell County. Through his leadership and vision, VCAT has grown into a key component of the department’s crime-reduction strategy. Joe currently serves as one of three members of the Killeen Police Department Gang Unit, where he focuses specifically on juvenile and hybrid gang investigations. His work involves close collaboration with regional, state, and federal partners, as well as proactive community engagement to prevent gang recruitment and violence among youth.

In addition to his investigative responsibilities, Joe is a member of the Killeen Police Departmen SWAT Team, where he plays a critical role in high-risk operations, warrant service, and tactical response.

Joe holds an Advanced Peace Officer License and is a certified TCOLE Instructor. He has completed extensive specialized training, including:
• Over 100 hours of formal Gang Training
• Over 50 hours of Social Media / Open-Source Investigations Training
• Over 50 hours of Criminal and Narcotics Interdiction Training

Through his military service, tactical expertise, and dedication to combating violent crime, Joe continues to exemplify professionalism, leadership, and service within the Central Texas law enforcement community.