Stephens, Darrel
Darrel Stephens joined the faculty of the Public Safety Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University in the School of Education as an Instructor in June, 2008. He is an accomplished police executive with over 40 years of experience. His career began as a police officer in Kansas City, Missouri in 1968. In addition to his police experience he served for 2 years as the City Administrator in St. Petersburg, Florida -- a community of 250,000 people -- where he was responsible for a work force of approximately 3000 employees and a budget of $380 million. He has 22 years experience in a police executive capacity including almost nine years as the Chief of Police of the 2100 member Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Perhaps best known for advancing innovative approaches to policing, Stephens has earned a national reputation as a leader in policing. He served as the President, Vice President and Legislative Committee Chair of the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association while Chief in Charlotte. Throughout his career, he has taken on difficult and challenging opportunities, and championed strategic technology investments to enhance employee productivity.
He written extensively about policing, and served as a consultant and speaker promoting progressive policing approaches. He received the prestigious Police Executive Research Forum's Leadership Award and was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Central Missouri State University.
Education
MS, Public Services Administration - Central Missouri State University, 5/77
BS, Administration of Justice - University of Missouri – Kansas City, 5/75
FBI, Leadership in Counter Terrorism - 2007-08 (Syndicate Director)
Harvard University, Executive Session - Policing - 2008 -2010
Harvard University, Executive Session - Domestic Terrorism - 2000-2003
FBI, National Executive Institute Quantico, Virginia – 1993-1994
Harvard University, Senior State and Local Government Executives - 7/92
Harvard University, Executive Session - Community Policing – 1986-1992
Professional Experience
Johns Hopkins University – Public Safety Leadership Program Instructor 6/08 -
Chief of Police - Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC Police Department 9/99-6/08
Chief of Police/City Administrator - City of St. Petersburg, FL 12/92 - 9/99
Executive Director - Police Executive Research Forum 7/86 - 12/92
Chief of Police - Newport News, Virginia 3/83 - 7/86
Chief of Police - Largo, Florida 12/79 - 3/83
Assistant Chief of Police - Lawrence, Kansas 7/76 - 12/79
Commander/Sergeant/Officer - Kansas City MO Police Department 10/68 - 7/76
Scholarly/Research Interests
During my 40 year career in policing there have been many changes and challenges. I have both participated in and observed these changes in many different roles over my career. I have been interested in the impact that police leadership (its presence or absence) has had on addressing important problems, implementing change, creating an environment for innovation, engaging community stakeholders and sorting out what works.
Current Activities - Grants/Sponsored Research/Partnership Activities
The Leadership Program was recently awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in a partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Major Cities Chiefs Association to create a Local Training for Regional Assessment and Collaboration (L-TRAC). The focus of the work will be on enhancing local agency collaboration in preparing for and responding to catastrophic events. I will work on the L-TRAC project when the FEMA administrative requirements have been completed. I have also worked in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnership and will play a role in the long-term relationship that the Leadership Program is developing a proposal in response to their solicitation. We are exploring a partnership with the University of North Texas to play a key role in providing leadership and development training to the Dallas Police Department. We are also engaged in discussions with John Jay College in New York on a joint leadership program initiative. If these materialize I will be playing a role in these partnerships.
Selected Publications
Stephens, D. (2005) IT Changes in Law Enforcement. Issues in IT: A Reader for the Busy Police Chief Executive. Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (2004) The Challenges to the Future of Community Policing. Community Policing: The Past, Present and Future. Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (2003) Protecting your Community From Terrorism: Strategies for Local Law Enforcement. Difficult Decisions–FBI Priorities. PERF, Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. and Hartman, F. (2002) Beyond the Beltway: Focusing on Hometown Security. The Policing Challenge. JFK School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge.
Stephens, D. and Geller, W. (co-editors) (2003) Local Government Police Management 4th ed. International City Management Association. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (1999) From Both Sides. Selecting a Police Chief: A Guidebook for Local Government. International City Management Association. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (1999) Measuring What Matters: Proceedings from Policing Research Institute. Measuring What Matters. National Institute of Justice. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (1992) Executive Responsibility. Police Management: Issues and Perspectives. Police Executive Research Forum. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. and Moore, M. (1991) Police Organization and Management. Local Government Police Management, 3rd ed. International City Management Association.Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. and Moore, M. (1991) Beyond Command and Control: The Strategic Management of Police Departments. Police Executive Research Forum. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. and Sapp, A. (1989) The State of Police Education: Policy Direction for the 21st Century. Police Executive Research Forum. Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. and Carter, D. (1988) Drug Abuse by Police Officers: An Analysis of Critical Policy Issues. Charles C. Thomas. Springfield, Il.
Eck, J., Spellman, W., Hill, D., Stephens, D., Murphy. G. (1987) Problem Solving: Problem Oriented Policing in Newport News. Police Executive Research Forum, Washington, D.C.
Stephens, D. (1987) Contemporary Issues in Policing and Their Significance. Principles of Good Policing: Avoiding Violence Between Police and Citizens. U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service. Washington, D.C.
