Ron Carter

Hello, my name is Wardell “Ron” Carter. I currently work as a criminal defense investigator with the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office. I also teach criminal justice courses at San Joaquin Delta College and work in the San Joaquin Delta College P.O.S.T. Academy as a recruit training officer (RTO). I previously worked as a correctional officer with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department for a year until I was hired by Antioch Police Department. I was a police officer for approximately seven years. I worked patrol, was a field training officer (FTO), and a defensive tactics instructor. Prior to my law enforcement/teaching career, I spent 7 ½ years in the U.S. Navy. My wife and I have three children together.

• I decided to enter the field of corrections hoping to follow in my mother’s footsteps. She was a correctional officer in Alexandria, Louisiana when I was five years old. I have always been interested in making a difference in my community and felt as though a career in law enforcement was the perfect opportunity. Working in corrections gave me insight regarding the negative impact that drugs and coming from a single-parent household can have on someone’s life.
• I felt is was important for me to serve on the Correctional Science Advisory Board because I feel that not only will the board help me continue to grow as a professional, but it will also allow me to learn from others who come from similar walks of life. Through our collaborative efforts, I believe we can create a great foundation for the Correctional Science Program.
• The most unusual job I’ve ever had was working in a warehouse assembling variety packs of beer.
• The hardest thing I’ve ever done was completing my master’s degree while working fulltime as a police officer.
• My favorite way to relax is taking a ride on my motorcycle while listening to some 90’s R&B.
• My favorite meal is lunch.
• You’d be surprised to learn that I’ve been married half of my life.
• I’m most proud of my children.
• My motto is… “It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you react.”
• If there’s one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career is, people will often forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Take every opportunity to positively impact someone’s life and never judge anyone by the chapter of their life you meet them on.