Howard Drewer
Salisbury,Maryland
Summary
Senior law-enforcement executive with 27 years of command experience, providing leadership across multi-division operations, budgeting, and strategic planning. Demonstrates a proven record in organizational accountability and performance-driven policing, leading crime-reduction initiatives and modernization of technology and operations. Experienced in inter-agency collaboration and community-focused partnerships, and skilled in executive decision-making during critical incidents and major events. A trusted leader recognized for disciplined judgment, integrity, and ethical conduct. A former U.S. Army First Sergeant committed to transparency and sustainable public-safety outcomes.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Chief of Police
City Of Salisbury Police Department
07.1998 - Current
- Supervises and coordinates daily operations of 3 Divisions (Operations, Criminal Investigations, and Administration) of up to 134 employees.
- Oversees a $19.7M annual operating budget, ensuring resource accountability and strategic alignment.
- Develops and implements crime-reduction strategies by analyzing crime trends and aligning deployment and enforcement initiatives.
- Manages and approves training programs to strengthen officer safety, tactical readiness, and professional standards.
- Expanded the department fleet from 30% to 100% take-home vehicles in five years through strategic budgeting and lifecycle planning, improving readiness, visibility, and retention.
- Directs long-range planning and goal development, aligning departmental priorities and resources with municipal objectives and community needs.
- Leads accreditation and professional-standards initiatives using the CALEA framework, including policy alignment, compliance review, and continuous-improvement processes.
- Decreased response times in priority-one calls by 10% by restructuring patrol zones and realigning staffing schedules.
- Coordinates with government, civic, and private-sector partners to promote community safety and collaborative problem-solving.
- Engages with local individuals and community leaders to discuss crime reduction strategies.
- Administers performance management, grievance review, and disciplinary processes with Town administration and HR to ensure due-process compliance and adherence to departmental standards.
- Coordinates and directs multi-agency operations and special events, ensuring unified command and resource coordination.
- Evaluates and implements emerging technologies and tactics to enhance departmental operations and investigative effectiveness.
- Educates personnel on proper field procedures to strengthen professionalism, efficiency, and public trust.
- Manages critical incidents, including hostage barricades, sniper events, bomb threats, and other major incidents requiring specialized tactical response.
First Sergeant, Training Command
US Army
06.1989 - 07.2014
- Managed a Company of 256 personnel during an operational deployment to Iraq, resulting in zero casualties or fatalities.
- Commanded collection, organization, and application of field intelligence and combat data to enhance troop safety and operational success.
- Directed tactical operations in complex and challenging environments.
- Communicated with command centers to develop and execute tactical plans.
- Created contingency plans to address unexpected tactical scenarios.
- Trained and mentored personnel in combat operations and tactics.
- Analyzed intelligence reports and identified potential tactical threats.
- Integrated intelligence activities into other military operations, plans and programs.
- Monitored and assessed mission progress and provided updates to command.
- Oversaw teams planning, implementing and realigning field and base operational strategies.
- Devised and implemented battle plans to achieve tactical objectives.
- Developed and implemented plans to reduce risk to personnel and equipment during tactical operations.
- Coordinated technical training and personal development classes for staff members.
Education
Master of Science - Business Management
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Dynamics
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE05.2020
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Wor-Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD12.2018
Skills
- Case Evaluations
- Community Involvement
- Communication Skills
- Political Agility
- Police Training
- Budget Forecasting
- Commander Support
- Community Policing
Certification
- Graduate of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy
- Graduate of the FBI National Academy
- NIMS/ICS 300 & 400 — Advanced Incident Command Certification
- CALEA Accreditation & Professional Standards Training
Timeline
Assistant Chief of Police
City Of Salisbury Police Department
07.1998 - Current
First Sergeant, Training Command
US Army
06.1989 - 07.2014
Master of Science - Business Management
Wilmington University
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Dynamics
Wilmington University
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Wor-Wic Community College