Trooper Brent Gulinson of the Indianapolis District was promoted to sergeant to serve as a district squad leader by Indiana State Police Supt. Douglas Carter on Aug. 19. Gulinson applied for the position last month and was selected to be responsible for supervising troopers assigned to Marion County.
“I was very honored and excited upon word of receiving the promotion,” Gulinson said. “It had been a long-term career goal of mine, and I am so happy to achieve that, at the same time I am anxious to serve the troopers and citizens of Indiana in my new role.”
As district squad leader, Gulinson will be supervising the Marion County east side units on the afternoon shift.
“I have confidence in my abilities and at the same time know this is a team effort and there are a lot of people that I can go to if I have any questions,” he said.
Since he was a child, Gulinson said he always wanted to be a police officer. Whether or not he was going to pursue his dream became the big question.
“My parents were heavily against it due to the danger and not very good pay. However, it was not just that I wanted to be a police officer; it was I could not imagine myself doing anything else. I believe it truly is a calling,” he said.
Gulinson grew up in Highland Park, Ill. He graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in law and society. Gulinson worked as a police officer in West Chicago for four years before joining the Indiana State Police in 2006. He completed his master’s degree in public administration through DePaul University in 2012.
In November 2006, Gulinson graduated from the ISP Recruit Academy and was assigned to the Indianapolis District where he worked road patrol for three years. He transferred in 2009 to the Criminal Investigations Division where he served in the White Collar Crime Unit. Gulinson later transferred back to the Indianapolis District in April 2011 to work road patrol.
He and his wife, Elaine, have been married for three years and live in Westfield with their 9-month-old daughter.