Dr. Richard Ovens retired from the New York State Police in 1994, after nearly 30 years of service. He served in the Uniform Force and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) rising through the ranks to become the first Director of the Employee Assistance Program. As a Commissioned Officer, he supervised the state wide BCI's adoption of cases involving his department's Polygraph and Forensic Hypnosis Programs. An expert in interrogation and interview, he initiated the first full-time Polygraph program for the New York State Police.

Dr. Ovens holds an Associate Degree in Psychology from Orange County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Majors in Psychology and Sociology from the University of the State of New York. A Master of Science Degree in Community and Mental Health Counseling, a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. During his career, Dr. Ovens received 13 Superintendent's Commendations for Outstanding Service to the New York State Police.

He is currently an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Graduate School of Counseling and Development at Long Island's University C.W. Post Campus, the New York State Police Academy, and the National Training Center for Polygraph Science. He has developed curricula for courses in Interrogation, Interviewing, Polygraph Physiology, Stress Management, Chemical Dependency, Management Strategies, and Communication Skills for Supervisors, Critical Incident Debriefing, and Employee Assistance Training for Supervisors. Dr. Ovens has edited a manual for the development and implementation of Employee Assistance Programs in law enforcement agencies published by the Central New York Coalition for EAP's, and the New York State Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. He has published two research articles in the Journal of Polygraph Sciences.

In addition, he lectures extensively throughout the United States and Canada for governmental agencies, colleges, private corporations and business groups. Dr. Ovens is a National Certified Counselor, with Board Certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors, a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, Certification in Clinical Hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and a Certified Polygraphist. He is also a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Ovens is listed in Who's Who in the East, and the National Distinguished Registry. He is a Distinguished Fellow in the Academy of Certified Polygraphists.