LATESHA WATSON, PH.D.

Ralph Andersen & Associates

5800 Stanford Ranch Road, Suite 410
Rocklin, California 95765

DEAR MR. BURG,

I am writing to express my interest in participating in the selection process for the
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police (CDP) – Chief of Police position. With more than 23 years of
law enforcement experience of combined service from four municipal agencies, my executive
leadership experience evolved while serving in the Arlington (TX) Police Department progressing
through the ranks from patrol officer to Deputy Chief of Police. The City of Arlington is a top tier
entertainment destination with a population of 400,000 but easily increases to more than
565,000 with routine special events which include MLB games, NCAA finals, Super Bowl XLV, MLB
World Series games, 2010 NBA All-Star Game, college football games, high school playoff games,
concerts, rodeos, and a variety of other special events. Arlington is home to Texas Live!, Six Flags
over Texas, the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Texas Rangers at Global Life Park, the
Dallas Wings at the College Park Center, and the University of Texas at Arlington. In September of
2017, my acceptance of the Chief of Police position in the City of Henderson, Nevada as a major
reformer provided an exciting opportunity for additional executive leadership experience. The
City of Henderson is the 2nd largest city in the State of Nevada, next to the City of Las Vegas,
with population of 315,000 located within a major metropolitan area, the Las Vegas Valley which
is a top tourist destination in the world.

Becoming the 1st external Chief of Police in the history of the Columbus Division of Police (CDP)
will be one of the greatest challenges to overcome in transitioning to this role. Bringing broad
perspectives and experiences on national and international policing as well as prior experience
leading in a challenging environment with a complicated history embattled in nepotism,
favoritism, internal dissension, and misconduct will be very beneficial in this transition in
leadership. As a proven change agent excited to serve in the CDP, the city, and the community, I
am confident that bringing a fresh perspective to build effective teams and move CDP forward
can be accomplished. Focusing on establishing relationships is a top priority. Obtaining support
from the rank-and-file as well as building internal cohesion is necessary in effecting meaningful
change. Introductory and extended briefings conducted throughout the organization will provide
an opportunity for organizational members to interact with the new Chief of Police. The
organization must be afforded various opportunities to interact with the new Chief of Police in an
effort to establish a relationship and begin to build trust. Each encounter with team members on
every level will allow them to share their perspectives regarding what has been going well in the
organization and what needs improvement.

In reviewing the report from the Matrix Consulting Group, there are opportunities for
improvement (OFI) in the areas of 21st Century Policing concepts, building community trust, de-
escalation training, and procedural justice. Under new leadership with a police-community
relations expert, it is a pivotal time for CDP to work toward strengthening its relationship with
marginalized communities. The new policing strategy must focus on procedural justice, implicit
bias, and fostering reconciliation in impacted communities. Transparent and legitimate
communication between the police and minority communities work to address misconceptions,
historical tensions, and mutual trust. Adopting procedural justice principles and practices
internally as well as externally emphasizes the significance of giving organizational members and
community members a voice. Our communities in Columbus must be informed communities in
order to be engaged communities. Within the new vision, a robust communication strategy
capable of reaching diverse segments of the population is important in achieving effectiveness.

Community-oriented policing is not a unit, section, division, program, or set of initiatives. It is an

organizational philosophy. The implementation of community-oriented policing consumes an
entire organization from the top down and the bottom up establishing and maintaining long-
term relationships between the police and its community. Building strong relationships with
residents in the community and partnerships with community groups, multi-family dwellings,
educational institutions, business stakeholders, and faith-based organizations actively involve all
stakeholders in the problem-solving process creating continuous engagement and professional
interactions that help shape the public’s view of the police. The effective implementation of
community-oriented policing philosophy in the CDP will provide all community members with
direct and transparent communication pipelines within the department. Community-oriented
policing will not only address the occurrence of crime in Columbus but also address perceptions
of crime within the community. For example, the Henderson (NV) Police Department made
considerable progress in a very limited amount of time under my leadership with an
organization-wide implementation of the Geographic-Based Policing model aligned with the
Community-Oriented Policing philosophy. The organization experienced historic reductions in
overall response times of more than three minutes, drastic increases of 115% in proactive
policework during uncommitted times, and an 18% reduction in property crime offenses.

An additional OFI area within CPD is working toward CDP yielding a workforce reflective of the
community being served. The organization must make a commitment to adopt the philosophy
that diversity is a necessity. The development and implementation of a structured recruitment
plan is essential in guiding departmental efforts to attract, hire, and retain more minorities and
women in the organization. Recruiting procedures should target officers who have the skills and
abilities conducive to community-oriented policing. The development and utilization of a
departmental performance management system (i.e. COMPSTAT process) specifically designed
for the evaluation of departmental recruiting goals and objectives through continuous discussion,
statistical analysis, and strategic adjustments will lead to desired results.

Being selected as the new Chief of Police and joining the CDP family offers a new set of eyes on
historical issues within the organization and the community, creates a momentum for needed
change within the organization and the community, and drives constructive change with more
ease due to the absence of long-standing alliances will accompany an internal selection. The
most valuable currency is the effect that an individual can have on others. I believe that working
to ensure the utmost public safety and providing the best quality of life to the City of Columbus
residents is keeping people at the center of what can be done for others as well as illustrates the
true meaning of service. An opportunity to serve the CDP and its community with courageous,
progressive police leadership brings much excitement.

Sincerely,
LaTesha Watson
LaTesha Watson

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 LATESHA WATSON, PH.D.

A proven change agent with more than 20 years of policing experience. Courageous leader with strong
problem-solving and decision=making skills and a keen ability to evaluate, develop, and execute
impactful progressive reform initiatives specific to organizational needs. Published author and
experienced public speaker delivering passionate messages pertaining to community-oriented policing,
women in policing, the value of diversity in the recruitment, retention, selection, and promotion of
women and minorities, as well as organizational leadership and police accountability. Reputation for
being a take charge, no-nonsense reformer while remaining transparent, accessible, influential, and
engaging to organizational members on any level.

EXPERIENCE
NOVEMBER 2017 – APRIL 2019
CHIEF OF POLICE, CITY OF HENDERSON, HENDERSON NV POLICE DEPARTMENT
The City of Henderson is a metropolitan city with a population of more than 315,000 community
members. It is the 2nd largest city in the State of Nevada, after the City of Las Vegas. Henderson
has nearly 675 sworn and non-sworn organizational members. Henderson is a part of the Las
Vegas metropolitan area encompassing 105 square miles. The City of Henderson is a full-service
municipal organization administering a total budget of $541.9 million.
Selected as the new City of Henderson Police Chief on September 15, 2017 after a national
search which encompassed a pool of 88 candidates by City Manager Robert ‘Bob’ Murnane. As
the Chief of Police in a city ranked the 5th safest city in the nation, the Top 10 “Safest Cities in the
United States” and named “One of the Best Cities to Live in America” by Bloomberg
Businessweek, I oversaw police officers of various ranks as well as professional staff employees
assigned to East, West, North Patrol Divisions. Investigations Division, Operations Support
Division, Community Support Division, Emergency Communications/ 911 Center, Henderson
Detention Facility, Special Programs and Services (SPSS)-formerly Alternative Sentencing, and
Animal Care & Control Services Center.

Key Accomplishments:
• 1st female African American Chief of Police in the City of Henderson and the entire State
of Nevada
• Managed organizational budget of $116.2 million
• Managed 540 bed space detention facility housing local arrestees as well as federal
contracted inmates
• Managed and expanded capacity for Emergency Operations/911 Center
• Managed Special Program and Services (SPSS), formerly Alternative Sentencing, which
supervises 1500+ misdemeanor probationers
• Established a culture of accountability, purpose, trust, and renewed interest in
community service
• Conducted monthly meetings with union leaders and their representatives
• Led organization through successful independent audit assessing, evaluating, and
reviewing organizational policies, procedures, practices, strategies, and tactics reflective
of best practices; management audit also memorialized the condition of organization at
time of transition of leadership
• Successfully selected, purchased, and implemented new Body-Worn Camera Program
and an enhanced Dash-Camera Program
• Successfully developed and adopted new Body-Worn Camera and Dash-Camera policies
and training procedures department-wide according to best practices
• Restructured organization into three bureaus, Uniformed Services Bureau, Support
Service Bureau, and Administrative Services Bureau in alignment with new organizational
vision
• Developed and implemented robust departmental internal and external communication
strategy encompassing a newly formed Office of Public Information
• Successfully eliminated dissention between sworn police personnel and sworn
corrections personnel
• Established long-term partnership with Clark County School District Police Department
executives and line level personnel for multi-jurisdictional initiatives and training
• Effectively restructured organizational disciplinary process and promotional process for
fairness and consistency
• Developed and implemented new organizational vision, Strength in Unity, Character in
Actions, Excellence in Service, illustrating significance of the Power of One (One Vision,
One Team, One Voice)
• Created and implemented new policing philosophy, COMMIT to 3 C’s (Culture, Crime,
Community)
• Successfully implemented Geographic-Based Policing model, structured approach
delivering coordinated efforts in resolving crime concerns through defined geographic
areas creating accountability and ownership at every level
• Successfully implemented true Community-Oriented Policing aligned with Geographic-
Based Policing strengthening relationships between the police and the communities
served
• Planned, developed, and implemented 1st performance management system and
accountability process (i.e. CompStat process)
• Successfully implemented and conducted monthly accountability meetings, termed
LEAADS – Leveraging Enforcement initiatives, Accountability And Data-driven intelligence
led performance Strategies
• Developed and leveraged working relationships with community members, multi-family
dwelling management, educational institutions, business stakeholders, and faith-based
organizations to partner in addressing crime and quality of life issues through use of the
SARA (S) model (i.e. scanning, analysis, response, assessment, sustainability) to address
quality of life issues
• Experienced historic reductions in overall response times (more than 2 mins)
• Experienced month-to-month reductions in Part I UCR Violent Crimes and Property
Crimes
• Operationalization of new policing philosophy led to drastic increases in officer self-
initiated activity, specifically over 115% increase each month in comparison to same time
period previous five years
• Overall city revenue drastically increased by more than 1.3 million at midpoint of 2019FY
due to innovative enforcement initiatives implemented to maximize deployment
strategies mitigating injury crashes and fatalities

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 • Evaluated, developed, and implemented new sworn officer hiring standards and
onboarding process through creation of new Personnel/Recruitment Unit
• Planned and led organization through introduction of Procedural Justice inclusive of
Train-the-Trainer Program for selected personnel for department-wide implementation
• Successfully developed and implemented performance management system (i.e.
CompStat process) for new recruiting efforts reference continuous analysis and improved
strategies in achieving recruiting goals for hiring minorities and women
• Phase I – effective planning, developing, and creating 1st Basic Police Training Academy
with CALEA accreditation
• Planned and conducted organization’s 1st Skip Level meetings working to bridge gap
between Chief of Police and mid-level management
• Planned advisory groups for non-supervisory personnel (professional staff/officers) and
supervisory staff (professional staff/sworn supervisors) as an avenue for organization to
have a voice pertaining to concerns to Chief of Staff and Chief of Police.
• Initiated planning and development five year-strategic plan encompassing milestones
and objectives for organizational members on all levels
• Created and executed a new employee health and wellness program named, LIFELINE,
that emphasizes critical stress management, peer support and health and wellness
education
• Established and implemented 1st Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS)policy and procedures
reflective of national best practices
• Developed an inclusive Policy and Procedure Committee of organizational members from
all levels to solicit input and feedback throughout organization about current and future
policies
• Planned department-wide implementation and training on Implicit Bias
• Created 1st youth mentoring program for middle school students, termed UNITY –
Uplifting Nevada through Interaction and Teaching Youth, increasing police legitimacy
among youth through positive interaction, problem-based learning, and developing
sustainable relationships to mitigate juvenile recidivism
• Created ‘Henderson Strong’ Recruiting Program in partnership with Clark County School
District (CCSD), College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Nevada State College, and University
of Phoenix investing in local hometown high school students interested in profession;
participants receive specific curriculum geared toward policing and program graduates
receive preferred consideration in the departmental hiring process
• Planned and developed 2019 Community Forum Series – weekend community town hall
meetings within high property crime areas providing interaction with Chief of Police,
executives, and geographic personnel responsible for area

MAY 2002 – NOVEMBER 2017

DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE, CITY OF ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON TX POLICE
DEPARTMENT
The City of Arlington is a metropolitan city with a population of more than 400,000 community
members. It is the 7nd largest city in the State of Texas and 50th largest city in the nation and
encompasses 101 square miles. Arlington is a top tier entertainment destination and home to
Texas Live!, Six Flags over Texas, the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Texas Rangers at
Global Life Park, the Dallas Wings at the College Park Center, and the University of Texas at
Arlington which increases its population by more than 115,000 on any given day. Arlington hosts
more than 14 million visitors annually. Arlington employs more than 900 organizational
employees administering a total budget of $106.7 million.

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Key Accomplishments:
• Successfully climbed rank structure from Officer to Deputy Chief of Police
• Managed, commanded, directed, and trained sworn uniformed and non-uniformed
officers and professional staff organizational members
• Oversaw Central Investigation Division (CID) encompassing 13 different workgoups
within Criminal Investigative Section, Special Investigations Section, and Covert
Operations Section
• Oversaw personnel assigned to FBI – Safe Streets Task Force, United States Marshal
Service – North Texas Fugitive Task Force, North Texas Financial Crimes Task Force,
Commercial Smuggling Squad – Immigration and Custom Enforcement Group #9 Task
Force, Fort Worth Multi-Agency Task Force – Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI Cyber
Crimes Task Force, FBI – Joint Terrorism Task Force
• Established accountability and improved overall personnel performance in investigative
units
• Oversaw Focused Prosecution Program – program developed to reduce violent crime
through federal prosecutorial assistance and adoption of cases through U.S. Attorney’s
Office for offenders meeting specific criteria
• Commanded numerous special events (i.e. NFL games, MLB games, concerts, rodeos,
NCAA, Superbowl, All Star game)
• Re-established trust, relationships, and partnerships with minority communities residing
in oldest and lowest socioeconomic area within the city
• Led Operation Safety Net, city-wide Violent Crime Task Force formed to combat
increases in violent crimes throughout city utilizing collaborative partnerships with other
local, state, and federal law enforcement entities
• Successfully planned, directed, and commanded 2016 POTUS Visit in coordination with
U.S. Secret Service for the memorial service for five Dallas Police Department officers
ambushed in July 2016
Support Operations Bureau – Central Investigations Division, Deputy Police Chief ▪ 2017
Field Operations Bureau – East Patrol Division, Deputy Police Chief ▪ 2014 - 2017
Support Operation Bureau – SWAT Commander (P/T) ▪ 2012 - 2014
Field Operations Bureau – District Lieutenant ▪ 2011 - 2014
Technical Services Bureau – Property/Evidence/Vehicle Impound Unit Sergeant▪ 2007 - 2011

National Police Executive Fellow ▪ 2008

The Police Foundation, 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW #200, Washington, D.C. 20036

Field Operations Bureau– District Patrol Sergeant ▪ 2006 - 2007

Field Operations Bureau– District Field Training Officer/Corporal ▪ 2005 - 2006

1997 – 1999
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER (CSO), CITY OF LEWISVILLE, LEWISVILLE TX POLICE
DEPARTMENT

1994 – 1997
911 OPERATOR/DISPATCHER, CITY OF HUTCHINS, HUTCHINS TX POLICE
DEPARTMENT

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EDUCATION
2014 - PRESENT
PH.D., INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, ORGANIZATIONS AND SYSTEMS
CONCENTRATION - CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
2005 – 2010
PH.D., MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP – UNIVERSITY OF
PHOENIX

2000 – 2003
MASTER OF SCIENCE, CRIMINOLOGY – UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

1997 – 2000
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE – UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

PRESENTATIONS
• Presenter, Houston, Texas, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE),
Winter CEO Symposium, Police Accountability
• Keynote Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, College of Southern Nevada, New Chief of Police: Past, Present
& Future
• Keynote Speaker, Henderson, Nevada, Tall Mesa Men’s Group, Impact of Community-Oriented
Policing
• Keynote Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Madam CJ Walker
Annual Luncheon – Women…Justice…Now…
• Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, Nevada Real Estate Division, 21st Century Policing & Future of
Henderson Police Dept.
• Keynote Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, Nevada State Bank – Diversity Group, New Chief of Police:
Past, Present & Future
• Speaker, Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of Justice – National Institute of Justice, Women in
Policing Research Summit
• Panel Moderator, Arlington, Texas, Employee Appreciation Week, Achieving Success in Government
– A Woman’s Perspective on Work-Life Balance
• Keynote Speaker, Norman, Oklahoma – Norman Police Department, Law Enforcement Recruitment
Expo – “Women in Policing”
• Speaker, College Station, Texas, Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), Local
Police and Immigration Enforcement
• Keynote Speaker, Washington, D.C., Women in Policing – A Historical Perspective
• Presenter, Washington, D.C., 22nd Annual Candlelight Vigil, National Law Enforcement Officers’
Memorial
• Presenter, Washington, D.C., 20th Annual Candlelight Vigil, National Law Enforcement Officers’
Memorial
• Speaker, Washington, D.C., American University, The Importance of Education in the Law
Enforcement Profession
• Speaker, Atlanta, GA., National Black Police Association (NBPA) Southern Region Conference,
Policewomen: Life with the Badge
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DISTINCTIONS/AWARDS
• State Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Task Force, Nevada Governor Sisolak &
• Attorney General Ford, January 2019
• Ten Most Powerful Women in the State of Nevada, Women in Power Business Magazine, August
2018
• Leaders That Make It All Possible – Six Movers & Shakers, Green Valley Lifestyle Magazine, April
2018
• Women in Business - Leadership Award Recipient, Urban Chamber of Commerce, March 2018
• Emerging Law Enforcement Leader, State of Texas, Austin, Texas State Capitol Honor - House Floor
Resolution, March 2017
• Rising Star Award Recipient, Arlington Chamber of Commerce & Women’s Alliance, October 2016
• Top 40 under 40 Emerging Law Enforcement Leaders Award Recipient, International Association of
Chiefs of Police (IACP), October 2016
• City of Arlington, City Manager’s Office, Annual Award, Arlington Police Department Women’s
Leadership Development Series, November 2015
• Supervisor of the Year, Annual Award, March 2011, Arlington Police Department
• Employee of the Month and Peak Performer, February 2010, Arlington Police Department
• Officer of the Month Recognition Luncheon, 2010, City of Arlington Rotary Club
• National Police Fellowship Recipient, March 2008 – December 2008, The Police Foundation,
Washington, D.C.
• Supervisor of the Year Nominee, March 2007, Annual Awards Banquet-Arlington Police Department

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Peace Officer Certification
• Top Secret Security Clearance
• City of Arlington – City Manager’s Office Program, Arlington Executive Education Program (AEEP)
• The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) – Senior Management Institute of Policing (SMIP)
Session 58
• Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Command College (LCC)
Graduate Class 70
• APD Executive Officer Program – SWAT Commander
• SWAT Command Decision-Making and Leadership Certification
• Basic SWAT School Certification
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certification
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Instructor Certification

CERTIFICATIONS
• Member, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• Member, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• Member, Nevada Sheriffs & Chiefs Association (NvSCA)
• Member, International Association of Women Police (IAWP)
• Chair, Dispatch Communications / Patrol Board, Arlington Police Department
• Member, Discipline Review Board, Arlington Police Department

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• Member, Use of Force Review Board, Arlington Police Department
• Technical Advisor, Dallas Police Department Civilian Review Board, Dallas Police Department
• Member, Employee Relations Board (ERB), Arlington Police Department
• Member, Criminal Interdiction Feasibility Board, Arlington Police Department
• Member, Law Enforcement Executive Development Association – FBI-LEEDA
• Member, Patrol Rifle (AR15) Steering Committee, Arlington Police Department
• Member, National Black Police Officers Association, Arlington Police Department
• Consultant, Police Foundation, Washington, D.C