Christopher Markunas
Roslindale,MA
Summary
Experienced public sector leader with excellent communication skills and the ability to lead diverse teams in a dynamic environment. Proven skills in public safety leadership, state and local government finance and management, grant management, regulatory affairs, and employee relations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
Boston Police Department
12.2021 - Current
- Responsible for directing and managing the daily functions of the Boston Police Department's Operations Division, which comprises approximately 170 sworn and civilian employees and includes the City's primary 911 communications center.
- Interacts with various stakeholders to ensure that the Division meets the needs of the public, the police department, and other city or state agencies.
- Participates in all employee relations issues, including hiring, collective bargaining, and labor relations proceedings.
- Instrumental in the City's recent reclassification of 911 call-taker and police dispatcher positions to reflect the modern realities and workload of the positions. Personally re-wrote the job descriptions of all positions in the Division for the reclassification process.
- Oversees the Division's training and quality assurance functions, ensuring compliance with all applicable department, city, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and prepares remediation plans or recommendations for department command staff or city officials.
Director of Quality Assurance
Boston Police Department
07.2013 - 12.2021
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive quality assurance and improvement program for the Department's 911 Operations Division following industry-established best-practice standards.
- Managed the daily monitoring of employees and reviewed the Department's response to emergencies and incidents to identify improvement and training opportunities. Recommended individual and systemic improvements to Department command staff.
- Managed the implementation of new technologies in the Operations Division, such as a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and Next-Generation 911 (NG911) system.
- Developed and implemented a Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan for the Department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Instrumental in developing a civilian-led peer support and critical incident stress management (CISM) team for 911 call-takers and police dispatchers in the Operations Division.
- Provided testimony in criminal proceedings as an expert witness in 911-related matters.
Systems Analyst I
Massachusetts State 911 Department
10.2010 - 07.2013
- Provided technical and operations assistance to 911 emergency communication centers across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Responsible for managing projects and assisting local officials with wireless 911 routing efforts and 911 center consolidation or regionalization plans.
- Instrumental in developing and promulgating the Department's Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and telecommunicator training regulations. Assisted local officials across the Commonwealth with the successful implementation of these regulations.
- Participated in the annual development of guidelines for the Department's grant programs and assisted with the review and award process for grant applications from local communities.
- Provided oversight and quality control for many of the Department's technical and operational projects.
Dispatch Supervisor
Massachusetts State Police
10.2004 - 09.2010
- Supervised a daily staff of between 3 and 11 public safety dispatchers/911 call-takers. Provided leadership, coaching, and training to new and veteran employees and administered payroll and quality assurance duties.
- Initiated a program of regular quantitative measurement and reporting of work activities for presentation to management and department leadership for staffing and planning purposes.
- Participated in the planning and implementation of the Amber Alert program in Massachusetts. Attended national Amber Alert training in Fort Myers, FL.
Dispatcher
Massachusetts State Police
11.2000 - 10.2004
- 911 call-taker and dispatcher for New England's busiest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Responsible for assisting 911 callers from wireless devices with obtaining an emergency response from appropriate public safety entities. Also provided research and support for troopers and investigators with the Massachusetts State Police.
Public Safety Dispatcher
Town of Avon
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Directing all telephone and radio communications to police and fire personnel for response in emergencies
- Providing citizens with public safety or medical assistance promptly
- Was responsible for oversight of detained prisoners and assisting officers with booking procedures
- Performed quality work in a stressful environment during crises
Education
Master of Public Administration Degree - Public Administration
Suffolk University
Boston, MA05.2012
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Legal Studies
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Amherst, MA05.2000
Skills
- Municipal Government Operations
- Public Safety Operations
- Strategic planning
- Process improvement
- Quality assurance
- Risk mitigation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Staff training/development
- Employee relations
- Goal setting
- Program administration
- Operations oversight
Affiliations
Member of APCO International, NENA, ICMA, and American Society for Public Administration
Certification
Group Crises Intervention, 7-Habits Certified, Assisting Individuals in Crises
Timeline
Director of Operations
Boston Police Department
12.2021 - Current
Director of Quality Assurance
Boston Police Department
07.2013 - 12.2021
Systems Analyst I
Massachusetts State 911 Department
10.2010 - 07.2013
Dispatch Supervisor
Massachusetts State Police
10.2004 - 09.2010
Dispatcher
Massachusetts State Police
11.2000 - 10.2004
Public Safety Dispatcher
Town of Avon
01.1996 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Legal Studies
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Master of Public Administration Degree - Public Administration
Suffolk University