Biography

Steven Pace is a UNLV assistant professor-in-residence of criminal justice, former FBI supervisory special agent, and certified FBI crisis negotiator. He possesses extensive expertise in transnational organized crime, undercover operations, police culture, and law enforcement mental health.

Pace's teaching and research focus on enhancing wellness, resilience, and decision-making among first responders through interventions — such as mindfulness practices — that mitigate the effects of chronic occupational stress. As a research associate with the UNLV Tourist Safety Institute, Pace develops and evaluates training protocols for law enforcement agencies and translates findings into evidence-based guidance for practitioners. Drawing on his background in psychology and sociology, he teaches courses on criminology, criminal investigations, and psychopathy. He is designing new classes that connect criminology with neuroscience and applied behavioral science.

During his tenure with the FBI, Pace led “Operation Money Maker,” a six-year undercover investigation into money laundering and drug trafficking that culminated in one of the largest global dismantlings of a transnational criminal enterprise in agency history, resulting in over 60 arrests worldwide. For his leadership, he received the FBI Medal of Excellence and was nominated for the prestigious FBI Director’s Award.

In addition, Pace served as a primary liaison/coordinator to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and taught internationally for the FBI’s International Law Enforcement Academy, training foreign law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations, interview techniques, and strategies for disrupting organized crime.

Pace's scholarly work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals including Traumatology and the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology.