Captain Maria Santos-Olsen was born and raised in the City of West Palm Beach. Captain Santos-Olsen joined the West Palm Beach Police Department in October, 1984. Assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Division, Olsen served as a road patrol officer until October, 1985. In October 1985, Olsen was selected to the Special Investigations Unit of the Police Department. The Special Investigations Unit investigated crimes such as trafficking, importation, delivery and sale of any controlled substances. The Special Investigations Unit also investigated prostitution and any other vice related crime. This small group of dedicated officers conducted all of their investigations in an undercover capacity. During the early 80's, when Florida was plagued with the crack cocaine epidemic, Olsen, along with the members of the Special Operations Unit were diligently working to make in roads in numerous organized continuing criminal enterprises. During her tenure in the Special Investigations Unit, Olsen was the lead investigator in numerous cases including those which utilized oral intercepts. These investigations resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in drug traffickers assets. After serving ten years in the Special Investigations Unit, now known as the Organized Crime Unit, Olsen transferred back to Field Operations, Patrol Division, in 1995.

In December 1996, Olsen was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Community Services Division, Community Oriented Policing Unit. During her tenure in Community Policing, Olsen facilitated many community outreach programs. Olsen also assisted in developing an innovative program to address prostitution problems throughout the City. In July 1998, Olsen transferred back to the Field Operations Bureau, Patrol Division and was assigned as a District One Road Supervisor.

In August, 2000, Olsen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to numerous shifts as a Patrol Shift Commander in District One and District Two. In October, 2002, Olsen was promoted to the rank of Captain and assumed command of District One in the Patrol Division. In this current assignment, Olsen is also responsible for coordinating all Emergency Operations for the police department. Olsen is also the Commander of the Hostage Negotiations Team for the West Palm Beach Police Department. In March, 2009, Captain Olsen was transferred to the South District (Division II) which includes the Downtown Entertainment District.

Captain Olsen is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University where she received a BA Degree in Human Resource Management in 1995. Olsen is also a graduate of the Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Program at Florida Atlantic University in 2002 and the Florida Executive Development Program presented by the Federal Bureau of Investigations in conjunction with the Florida Police Chiefs Association in 2003. Captain Olsen is a graduate of the 110th Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville in 2003. Captain Olsen attained her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from the Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Captain Olsen is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Tactical Officers Association, and the Southern Police Institute Alumni Association. Captain Olsen is also a member of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators and serves on its Executive Board, as President. Captain Olsen is also the First Vice-President of the Southern Police Institute Alumni Association and will assume the role of President in July 2009.