Headshot photo of UCF detective Monica Quimbayo was taken for official use and for professional representation purposes by the UCF Police Department.
Courtesy of UCFPD
Detective Monica Quimbayo, an award-winning member of UCFPD’s Threat Management Team, spends her days responding to individuals in crisis, evaluating concerning behavior and intervening before situations escalate.
“We’re unique here at UCF,” Quimbayo said. “Our threat management team includes detectives, a supervisor and a mental health clinician. If there are concerning comments, statements or threats of any nature — or if someone is making statements of self-harm — we respond together.”
Quimbayo’s work is deeply human, rooted in understanding, patience and the ability to connect. It’s a skill set she has developed over nearly a decade in law enforcement.
“Building rapport is one of the most important things,” Quimbayo said. “Even in a crisis, keeping someone talking can make all the difference.”
It was that instinct that earned her a Lifesaving Award earlier this year. Responding to a missing student who had made self-harm statements, she asked the on-scene officer if she could take over the phone call.
“I remember just trying to find a calming ground to keep him talking,” Quimbayo said. “It was super random — we started talking about music. He mentioned Avenged Sevenfold, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I haven’t heard that band in forever.’ But I kept the conversation going. We were able to locate him while I was on the phone.”
He recovered, returned to classes and finished the semester.
Moments like that are what drive her.
Growing up, her parents often brought her to community police events, and many of her friends’ parents were officers. Quimbayo said she could give the “generic answer” of wanting to help people, but being around law enforcement — especially getting to sit on the motors unit’s motorcycles as a kid — sparked her fascination early on.
She studied anthropology at the University of Florida, originally planning to enter forensics. But a class in narcotics and dangerous drugs introduced her to behavioral threat assessment, and eventually to UCFPD.
“The former detective in my role talked about the work he did in threat management, something I’d never heard of,” Quimbayo said. “I saw the need for it at my previous agency. That’s what drew me here.”
She joined UCFPD six years ago and quickly found mentors who shaped her approach.
“Here, it’s been a combination of mentors,” Quimbayo said. “Watching how others handled investigations was huge for my growth.”
That growth is something her colleagues see every day. They describe her as calm under pressure, deeply compassionate and the person you want in the room during a crisis.
Delaney Kirwin-Moore, the department’s mental health clinician, said Quimbayo’s steadiness and empathy set her apart.
“Detective Quimbayo is passionate both on and off duty. She cares deeply about the people in her life and works tirelessly to advocate for the students she serves,” Kirwin-Moore said. “She approaches individuals in crisis with calm and compassion, creating a safe space for them while ensuring everyone’s well-being.”
Kirwin-Moore recalled a case involving a student with severe mental health symptoms who struggled to distinguish reality.
“Detective Quimbayo safely and effectively facilitated the process to ensure the student received the care they needed,” Kirwin-Moore said. “She’s the problem solver. When challenges arise, she’s the first person I turn to.”
Others echo that sentiment. Amanda Sellers, UCF Public Safety’s communications manager, said Quimbayo brings “a wealth of expertise, professionalism and a collaborative spirit” to the Threat Management Team. Her compassion, Sellers said, strengthens the department’s ability to support students in crisis.
Her supervisor, Cpl. Danielle Adams sees those same qualities play out on every call.
“She’s motivated, reliable and able to shift into ‘cop mode’ with professionalism and strong judgment,” Adams said. “The team thrives when she’s there.”
At the end of the day, her work and her world come back to people.
“We’re all human,” she said. “My job is really about connecting with people, listening and being there when they need it most.”