About PSWA
Our Purpose
PSWA supports excellence in writing about the broad field of public safety by serving as a collegial forum and a resource for members on the writing craft, the business of publishing, and ways to promote their work and careers.
Who We Are
Founded in 1997 as the Police Writers Club and governed by a Board of Directors, the Public Safety Writers Association is open to both new and experienced writers. All are drawn to the drama of stories in the crime, mystery, thriller, and suspense genres. Some members have a public safety background, including policing, firefighting, emergency management, and security. But many members are writers first, and they write fiction, non-fiction, even poetry.
We also welcome publishers, editors, agents and others who can help our members realize their writing goals. Here is a list of our members.
Our Board Members
Steve Ditmars
President
Steve Ditmars is the author of the Big Dogs series of police procedurals. He is a retired commander from the Long Beach, Calif., Police Department and currently resides in Arizona. And, yes, he has big dogs!
Darlene Record
Vice President
Darlene Record is a retired police sergeant from Long Island and an award-winning writer of criminal flash fiction.
Ellie Oberth
Secretary
Ellie Oberth is the author of several mysteries, specializing in the cozy genre. In her previous life, she was a travel agent and building manager. Her interests include travelling, writing, and plotting stories wherever she goes.
Kelli Peacock
Treasurer, Conference Committee Chair
Kelli Peacock has a background in accounting and customer service. She enjoys photography and travelling the United States, and uses her travel experiences for the basis of her award-willing mystery novels.
Barbara M. Hodges
Writing Competition Chair
Barbara M. Hodges is an award-winning author who writes in many genres. In her off-time, Barbara is very involved in basset hound rescue, and you will always find a basset in her stories.
Vicki Weisfeld
Newsletter Editor
Vicki Weisfeld had a long career in communications for national organizations before turning her hand to fiction. She has two published novels and more than 45 short stories in print.
Tim Dees
Member-at-Large
Tim Dees assists with PSWA technology issues. He is a retired police officer, college professor, and editor of two commercial police websites. He writes on police technology, culture, and management issues from his home in Washington state.