Christine A. Elow
Police Executive
Hyde Park,MA
Summary
Highly qualified Senior Law Enforcement Executive with track record of providing principled, motivating leadership, building relationships at all levels, and driving initiatives/brokering sustainable change in culture and policing. Demonstrated commitment to recognizing and addressing unconscious bias and enacting organization-wide initiatives that enhance diversity and inclusion. Outstanding reputation for leading organizational excellence. Recognized for fair, collaborative management approach.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Superintendent, Support Services Division
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
08.2019 - Current
- Manage full breadth of support services and a $21.4M budget (2020) as well as oversee 3 deputies/100 indirect reports (lieutenants, sergeants, patrol officers/detectives, and non-sworn personnel). Departmental oversight includes narcotics, criminal investigations, cybercrime, family justice, crime scene services, records division, off-duty, police reports, traffic, property and evidence, domestic violence, fleet maintenance, and full plethora of support services that professionally support all operations.
- Instituted reorganization that introduced best practices, realigned staff responsibilities, reinvigorated culture/morale, and improved criminal investigations—all while promoting respect, fairness, and accountability to better serve the community.
- Brought strong fiscal management practices to role, including presenting annual budgets to City Council ($21.4M/2020 and $18M/2019), overseeing deployment of resources and overtime, and funding/garnering support for key initiatives.
- Bring direction to collaborative Cambridge PD’s Family & Social Justice Unit (FSJU), initiated in 2009; initiative combined Youth & Family Services Unit with Community Relations Unit to optimally serve youth, families, homeless, senior citizens, and those suffering from chronic mental illness or addiction. Transitioned new Unit from Operations to Support Services Division, eliminating duplication of effort through streamlined communications with Criminal Investigations Division.
- Actively assessing data collected through collaboration with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) to identify opportunities for greater access to social services to improve health/mental health outcomes for many population types and cut recidivism.
Superintendent, Operations Division / Division Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Promoted to Superintendent, managing department leadership of uniformed patrol division (3 deputy superintendents, 6 lieutenants, 15 sergeants, ~150 patrol officers). Acting Police Commissioner as necessary/in Commissioner’s absence.
- Broad areas of oversight: juvenile unit, traffic unit, and outreach to service providers/vulnerable communities (homeless, mental health, senior citizens). Championed efforts addressing public safety situations affecting quality of life throughout the community.
- Managed day-to-day operations—from protecting lives and property, preventing and detecting crimes, apprehending offenders, and enforcing laws/ordinances to rendering emergency services and maintaining public order throughout the city.
- Fostered strong community connections by patrol officers—encouraged interaction with residents, community, leaders, and business owners as well as meeting attendance throughout assigned geographic areas (cruiser, bike, and foot patrols).
- Managed staffing—from performance and retention to new personnel selection and promotions. Additionally, managed capital expenditures, ensuring current/future equipment and facility requirements with oversight for maintenance and usage policies.
- Collaborated with all city leaders/staff; worked proactively to address city needs and department priorities. Directed public information activities; ensured appropriate investigation and management of police community matters.
- Member, Departmental Command Staff; addressed emerging and on-going problems as well as launched new initiatives and assessment of department performance on a variety of community, operational, and administrative issues.
- Select Accomplishments
- Spearheaded creation of Port Violence Prevention Task Force and worked with team-of-12 to address ongoing shooting incidents. Instituted engagement and outreach practices by detectives and patrol officers in collaboration with faith communities to hold events and promote positive relationships. Reduced gun violence 70% in 11 weeks in 2 neighborhoods (June 2018).
- Developed and implemented Safety Net Collaborative that slashed juvenile arrests by >70% and strengthened relationships with at-risk/school-aged youth and their families by instituting practices promoting police officers as mentors and role models.
Deputy Superintendent, Day Operations Division Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
02.2011 - 08.2017
- Transitioned expertise to role of Deputy Superintendent for Day Operations Division Commander. Served as Acting Superintendent/Acting Police Commissioner in their absence as necessary.
- Brought effective leadership and management best practices across all operational areas of responsibility, from budgetary oversight to directing assigned sworn personnel (individually/teams) in upholding department standards.
- Instrumental in developing initiative and implementing Crisis Intervention Training, which has become gold standard for entire police department training (80% trained to date).
- Collaborated in launch of Critical Incident Stress Management, emphasizing officer wellness and mindfulness, following April 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing and shooting of MIT police officer, Sean Collier.
- Oversaw performance management—from ensuring Division/Unit performance measures were properly assigned and completed to delivering evaluations, positive feedback, performance counseling, progressive discipline, and risk management. Ensured supervisors adhered to departmental policies and effectively led/managed their teams.
- Formulated and offered instruction to recruits and provided police in-service training as needed.
- Applied/enforced requirements of 3 collective bargaining agreements, including performance management, time and attendance, shift assignment bidding, and other relevant provisions.
- Community Policing Initiatives/Best Practices
- Instituted and facilitated quarterly Stakeholders Meeting beginning in 2015 featuring outreach to representatives of vulnerable populations throughout city and providing a forum for addressing variety of concerns.
- Furthered goals established through community policing objectives by involving community members and reflecting their input in effective operations, crime prevention, and public order.
- Served as face of the department at meetings with community groups, neighborhoods, and other outside public/private agencies and city departments. Liaison with Human Service and Peace Commissions; worked closely with city officials/personnel office, and other agencies, assisting at disciplinary hearings as required.
Deputy Superintendent, Professional Standards Unit Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2010 - 02.2011
- Selected for promotion following Lieutenant–Unit Commander role, 7/2009–1/2010. Managed unit staff conducting internal personnel/background investigations for police, fire, and emergency communication staff/other city employees at direction of the Police Commissioner. Reviewed all reports to ensure compliance.
- Developed and implemented improved early intervention approaches addressing problematic employee behavior; partnered with other unit commanders throughout development process.
- Instituted alternative resolution strategies for managing citizen complaints (directly and through referral from the Police Review and Advisory Board); established program using “teachable moment” of empathy on part of officers and mediated numerous matters in lieu of formal citizen complaint process, plus mediated minor disputes between department employees.
- Managed compliance with annual performance measures and established standards of conduct/appearance by all department personnel; analyzed/reported performance data to the Police Commissioner and Unit Commanders.
Lieutenant, Day Patrol Operations
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Advanced to Lieutenant, overseeing day patrol ops and managing staff assignments to ensure public safety while addressing community needs/crime problems and securing appropriate support for patrol units.
- Provided daily crime updates and oversaw accurate, timely completion of all arrest reports.
- Assessed performance of all officers and instituted professional training as well as remediation and progressive discipline as necessary to achieve performance standards.
Sergeant, Quality Control Section
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Promoted to Sergeant, leveraging investigative strengths in 2 critical areas: (1) Internal Investigations (determined merits of Police Review/Advisory Board/private citizen complaints, conducted interviews/inspections, and ensured compliance with policies, rules, and regulations) and (2) Background Investigations Coordination.
- Liaison to Cambridgeport community as part of Neighborhood Sergeants Program; collaborated with residents, responded to concerns, and organized efforts to identify safety and quality of life issues.
- Worked to design an action plan that improved internal ops/service delivery in role as Vision Community Member.
- Collaborated to improve problem solving within the community (Police Executive Research Forum/PERF).
Patrol Officer | Detective | Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.1995 - 01.2003
- Advanced through ranks, deepening skills that included investigative work (vice narcotics and background investigations) and work as an instructor (Rape Aggression Defense Instructor). Developed extensive community policing skills (including Bike Patrol and Uniform Patrol) that raised visibility, accessibility, and safety.
- Conducted undercover investigations and surveillance, cultivated/managed informants, and was involved from execution of search warrants through delivering testimony in multiple drug-related cases.
- Built collaborative relationships (residents, courts, social services agencies, victim-witness advocates).
Airman, Training Squadron VFA-125
UNITED STATES NAVY, Naval Air Station
- Inspected, fueled, and maintained FA/18 Hornet aircraft; participated in pilot training/storekeeper for squadron’s equipment.
- National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Honorable Discharge
Education
Master of Arts degree - Security Studies
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
Monterey, CA01.2019
Bachelor of Science degree - Criminal Justice
CURRY COLLEGE
Milton, MA01.2003
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Excellent communication
Timeline
Superintendent, Support Services Division
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
08.2019 - Current
Superintendent, Operations Division / Division Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
08.2017 - 08.2019
Deputy Superintendent, Day Operations Division Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
02.2011 - 08.2017
Deputy Superintendent, Professional Standards Unit Commander
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2010 - 02.2011
Lieutenant, Day Patrol Operations
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2006 - 01.2009
Sergeant, Quality Control Section
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2003 - 01.2006
Patrol Officer | Detective | Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor
CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.1995 - 01.2003
Airman, Training Squadron VFA-125
UNITED STATES NAVY, Naval Air Station
Bachelor of Science degree - Criminal Justice
CURRY COLLEGE
Master of Arts degree - Security Studies
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
ADDITIONAL
- Extensive continuing professional education in leadership, crisis response, equity, and wellness
- Active participant in national conversations on reimagining public safety and accountability
Awards
2012- Central Square Business Association, Central in Motion Award;
2014-YWCA Cambridge, Tribute to Outstanding Women;
2015- Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement ( MAWLE), Spirit of MAWLE Leadership Award;
2018-The Pentecostal Tabernacle 2018 Community Service Award
2019-The Cambridge Branch of the NAACP, Profile in Courage Award;
2022- Harvard Square Business Association, Foundation Award/ Leadership
2022- Bridges Homeward, the James Huntington Award;
2022- Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Inspire Ward, Recognizing Women of Inspiration
2022- Cambridge Jazz Festival, CAMMY Award, Service to the Community;
2024-The Justice George Lewis Ruffin Society, Distinguished Fellow Award
Select Presentations & Training Programs
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Office of Safety and Wellness (2020)
- Cambridge Community Foundation Speaker — delivered speech, then introduced keynote, Harvard President Lawrence Bacow (2019)
- National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Officer Wellness and Trauma Informed Policing Workshop (2017)
- Frequently present Procedural Justice (PJ) and Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) programs throughout New England and Tristate area as well as to U.S. Department of Justice