Mark S. Potratz is the Director for the Mineral Area College Department of Public Safety.  As part of his responsibilities, Mark is the Chief of the Campus Police Department, Chair of the Criminal Justice department, and Director over the Fire and Rescue Academy.  Mark also oversees the Law Enforcement Academy, the Peace Officer Continuing Education program for Missouri Peace Officers, and the Campus Safety program.  Mark was also appointed a member of the Governor’s Campus Safety Task Force.

     Mark’s educational background includes an Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, and two Master’s degrees- one in Criminal Justice Administration and the other in Public Administration Management.  Mark is currently completing work on a Doctoral degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration.  Mark’s professional background in law enforcement began in 1979, and in the nearly three decades since his career began he has served on state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, as well as various task forces.  Mark’s law enforcement experience includes assignments as an officer, supervisor and commander in uniform patrol, public relations, traffic enforcement, special operations, detective bureau, SWAT, narcotics enforcement, and policy development/grant writing.  Mark’s police training career began in 1993, and he is a certified police training instructor under the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Program.  He holds instructor certifications in firearms, driver training, less-than-lethal weapons, defensive tactics, first responder, accident investigation, and report writing, as well as holding master trainer certifications in the police defensive tactics systems of C.L.A.M.P and G.R.A.S.P. Mark is a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served from 1975 to 1981.  He also is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the Missouri Association of Career and Technical Educators, the Missouri Community College Association, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, and the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.Mark’s hobbies include martial arts, where he holds advanced instructor certifications /black belt ratings in judo, jiu-jitsu, jeet kune do and kali-silat.  He also is a lifetime member of the Shintai-Ryu Martial Arts Association, the United States Martial Arts Association, and the International Association of Martial Arts.

      Mark lives in Festus, Missouri with his wife Brenda and their two Lhasa Apsos, Holly and Summer.