Cooke & Associates Inc. is excited to announce George Mueller as our new Director of Strategic Development for Public Safety Support.
George brings more than three decades of distinguished public service in law enforcement, policy leadership, and strategic investigations. He began his career in 1985 with the Alhambra Police Department, where he rose to the rank of Detective, developing hands-on experience that laid the foundation for a lifetime of impactful service in criminal justice.
In 1988, George joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and by 2009, rose to the rank of Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Investigation at the largest prosecutorial agency in the United States. In this executive role, George provided operational oversight for a wide range of high-stakes investigations and strategic initiatives, serving as Acting Chief when needed. His leadership extended across areas such as risk management, trial support, public corruption investigations, and internal policy. He played a central role in high-profile cases, including such high profile cases as the Night Stalker investigation, Suge Knight proceedings, the OJ Simpson investigation and other major operations targeting insurance fraud, elder abuse, organized crime, and narcotics.
In 2015, George was appointed by the California Department of Insurance Commissioner as Deputy Commissioner of the Enforcement Branch, where he led more than 400 personnel across two major divisions—Fraud and Investigations—operating from nine regional offices across the state. He directed large-scale criminal and regulatory enforcement efforts, managed interagency collaborations with partners including the FBI, Franchise Tax Board, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and guided statewide anti-fraud outreach, training, and policy development.
“As a company, our Public Safety Support Division has delivered outstanding results and demonstrated immense value to our public safety clients,” said Harry Arruda, CEO of Cooke & Associates, Inc. “But we recognized the need for a dedicated leader—someone with the experience, vision, and credibility to take this part of our company to the next level. We spent many months searching for the right person—someone who not only understands public safety at the highest level but also how, in today’s times, the private sector plays a significant role in public safety. George is that person. We are honored to welcome George to the Cooke & Associates leadership team and look forward to the expertise, integrity, and vision he brings to our continued mission of advancing public safety support.”
Because of his professionalism and extensive law enforcement career, George also gained valuable experience in the private sector—providing executive protection services to A-list celebrities and high-profile individuals. During this time, he developed a keen understanding of the nuanced differences between operating as a law enforcement professional and serving in the private sector. This dual perspective gave George a unique appreciation for the distinct responsibilities, risk environments, and communication strategies required in each role, and the critical balance needed to navigate both worlds effectively.
George’s academic and professional development includes:
- Master of Public Administration, Judicial Administration – University of Southern California
- Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Cum Laude – University of Southern California
- FBI National Academy Program – University of Virginia
- Senior Management Institute for Police – Boston University
- Advanced Threat Assessment & Management Academy
- Critical Incident Management Training – DHS/U.S. Secret Service
- Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute – Graduate & Commencement Speaker
His service has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Investigator of the Year – California District Attorney Investigators’ Association, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Association of Deputy District Attorneys, International Association of Credit Card Investigators
- Lifetime Achievement Award – California District Attorney Investigators’ Association
- Distinguished Public Service, Jemison Award – Los Angeles County District Attorney
- Peace Officer Commendation – Office of the California Attorney General
- Exemplary Performance Award – Association for LA Deputy Sheriffs
- Above and Beyond Award & Patriotic Employer Award – U.S. Department of Defense
- Certificate of Recognition – California State Assembly & State Bar of California Board of Governors
At Cooke & Associates, George will lead the strategic advancement of our Public Safety Support division—enhancing protective services, strengthening agency collaboration, and driving innovative risk mitigation programs for public safety agencies around the globe.
Please join us in welcoming George to our executive team.
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