Jimmy Blankenship

Highly accomplished and versatile leader with demonstrated expertise in law enforcement resourcing, policy management, and training standards. Serves as Deputy within the Law Enforcement Division, Office of the Provost Marshal General, and as Program Manager for the Resourcing and Support Program, managing a team of 4 personnel while overseeing critical Law Enforcement Management Decision Packages (MDEP), QLPR and QECS, managing a resourcing portfolio of $450 million with a focus on program management, budget execution, and risk mitigation to ensure effective resource allocation and advocacy for field operations. Simultaneously functions as primary Staff Action Coordinator (SACO) for the Law Enforcement Division, driving policy improvement and ensuring compliance with Army and DoD regulations through policy development and meticulous staff action coordination. Additionally, serves as Deputy Director of the DoD Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, providing strategic oversight, fostering interagency collaboration, and upholding rigorous training standards. Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, champion innovation, and deliver measurable process improvements within a complex, multi-faceted environment, leveraging strong leadership and communication skills.

Served as the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager and Law Enforcement Policy Analyst with extensive experience supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG). Proven ability to lead and manage the Army’s MWD program – encompassing explosive detection, drug detection, and patrol assets – with oversight of a budget exceeding $7 million, while supervising training, utilization, and support activities for MWDs worldwide. Served as the proponent for Army MWD policy, coordinating over 400 support requests for the USSS and Department of State, and maintaining strong mission coordination with USSS, Department of State, and Foreign Security Services. Represented the Department of Defense as the U.S. voting member on the NATO Counter-IED MWD Expert Panel and the Joint Service MWD Committee, presenting Army Trained Dog Requirements (TDR). Led Army MWD research and development efforts, establishing a key Memorandum of Agreement with the FBI for no-cost HME detection training. Managed the Army’s module of the Air Force WDMS, ensuring accurate data collection and reporting, and assisted in developing and implementing Army Law Enforcement policy. Demonstrated expertise in program management, budget management, policy analysis, interagency coordination, and communication, with a strong technical proficiency in WDMS and Microsoft Office Suite. Dedicated to enhancing personnel safety, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring mission readiness.

Served as the Law Enforcement Governance and Accreditation Program Manager and Law Enforcement Equipment and Modernization Program Manager supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Law Enforcement Division. Serve as a subject matter expert on law enforcement policy; responsible for providing critical feedback and recommendations regarding policy positions to the Chief, Law Enforcement Division on all matters for the Arming and Use of Force, Credentialing, 2672 Authorities, and policing operations. Routinely evaluates and reviews legislative proposals, Department of Defense and Joint Staff polices and amendments for law enforcement equities to ensure timely integration and compliance. Responsible for policy development and revisions that capture new or revised Department of Defense and Joint policies providing law enforcement policy guidance and standards at the operational and tactical level. Provided continuity to the directorate and sustains the extensive knowledge of techniques and methods for all contingency and operational missions. Routinely develops executive level responses and executes staff level briefings to Congressional Legislative inquiries for matters involving law enforcement. Served as the lead within the OPMG for equipment and modernization efforts to support law enforcement operations across the Army. Directly coordinated with PEO Soldier and appropriate Army Staff personnel on modernization efforts; includes Law Enforcement Ensemble Kits (LEEK), Launched-Electrode Stun Device (LESD), and Modular Scalable Vest (MSV). Developed acquisition strategies with key stakeholders for future requirements that expand law enforcement capabilities across the Army (i.e., body-worn cameras, electric vehicles, law enforcement ammunition). As the functional MDEP manager, responsible for providing oversight for the development and validation of the law enforcement budget in excess of $280 million annually. Created and submitted critical changes to Schedule 75 to accurately capture command requirements and improve efficiency during the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) validation. Executed briefings with each command to discuss and review submitted requirements to ensure compliance with the POM and Defense Planning Guidance. Developed multiple briefings for the MDEP during the Installation Program Evaluation Group review. Submitted multiple Unfunded Requirements for law enforcement shortfalls to reduce risk to strategic and operational requirements.

Served as the HQDA Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager and Law Enforcement Policy Analyst supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Operations Division, Law Enforcement Branch. Responsible for the program management of the Army’s MWD program that includes explosive detection, drug detection and patrol assets to include oversight of the MWD program budget in excess of 7 million dollars. Duties include supervising the effective training, utilization, employment, and support activities for all authorized and emerging MWD efforts on Army installations worldwide. Routinely conducts analysis of the MWD program; identifying operational tasks, conditions and standards needed to achieve desired outcome to meet program objectives for explosive and narcotic detection teams conducting wartime and law enforcement operations. Proponent for the Army’s policy that provides oversight of the MWD program; major focus areas include MWD authorizations, evaluations (certification), sustainment training requirements, safety procedures, utilization, and explosive/drug training aid management (including accountability, safety, explosive safety plans). Coordinated and executed over four hundred support request during the past two fiscal years from the United States Secret Service (USSS) and Department of State for Presidential, Vice Presidential, and Secretary of States visits worldwide. Maintain mission coordination with the USSS, Department of State and Foreign Security Services. As the Land Component representative for the Department of Defense, serves as the United States voting member for all matters on the employment, training and utilization of MWD’s on the NATO Counter Improvised Explosive Device Military Working Dog Expert Panel. Serves as a voting member on the Joint Service Military Working Dog Committee; presents the Army’s Trained Dog Requirements (TDR) to the Executive Agency. Recognized as a subject matter expert on current and long-range strategic canine operations; ensures force structure and basis of allocation/rules of allocation align with combatant commander requirements. As the Army lead for MWD research and development; routinely collaborate with other Services, Federal and State law enforcement agencies, and academia on new training methods, approaches and technology that will enhance the Army ability to detect, deter or respond to potential threats that could impact operations at the installation or personnel safety. Created and implemented a Memorandum of Agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigations to facilitate the imprinting of Army MWD teams at their installations in the detection of Homemade Explosives, at no cost to the Army. Manages the Army’s module of the Air Force Working Dog Management System (WDMS) ensuring effective collection and reporting of MWD statistics for tracking of utilization and training records according to policies and standards. This allows for better monitoring of training program effectiveness ensuring quick and efficient remedial training of MWD assets. Assists in the analysis, development, revision, publication and implementation of Army Law Enforcement policy in the following areas: Installation Law and Order Operations; Non-lethal Weapons; Military Working Dogs; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); and Use of Force. Special emphasis includes obtaining unity of effort in Law Enforcement (LE) reporting systems, and development of the policy on the Use of Force and Carrying of Firearms. Routinely develops senior executive level correspondence, briefings and media products; responds to Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison (OCLL) inquiries, and coordinates with other US military services to develop and review policies and procedures to protect personnel, military operations and/or critical infrastructure. Develops and implements policy supported by a cost benefit analysis balanced against risk to ensure that limited fiscal resources are not unnecessarily expended and that operations are minimally restricted or impeded by policy changes. Creates Department of the Army (DA) law enforcement standards, and provides technical support to all DA General and special staff agencies and Army MSC’s for law enforcement matters oriented toward the development of law enforcement operations and police reporting systems. Acts as the technical authority for law enforcement policy ensuring compliance with Department of Defense (DOD) directives and instructions, Homeland Security Presidential directives and Federal Information Processing Standards.

Served in a dual role as the Law Enforcement Division Deputy and Military Working Dog Program Manager supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Law Enforcement Division. Serve as a subject matter expert on law enforcement policy; responsible for advising the Chief, Law Enforcement Division on all matters for the use of force, carrying of firearms, non-lethal weapons and policing operations. Provides critical feedback and recommendations regarding policy positions on numerous national level strategic directives and policy statements to Army Senior Leaders. As the assistant MDEP manager, responsible for providing oversight for the development and validation of the law enforcement budget in excess of $280 million annually. Routinely develops executive level responses and executes staff level briefings to Congressional Legislative inquiries for matters involving law enforcement and the Military Working Dog (MWD) program. Provide guidance, strategic vision and develop regulatory police for the operation and utilization of over five hundred MWD assets worldwide. Execute oversight of Title 10 contingency and law enforcement operations that provides Army bases in the Continental United States, Pacific and European areas of operation with explosive detection, drug detection and patrol MWD assets. Coordinated and executed over four hundred support request during the past two fiscal years from the United States Secret Service (USSS) and Department of State for Presidential, Vice Presidential, and Secretary of States visits worldwide. Maintain mission coordination with the USSS, Department of State and Foreign Security Services. Spearheaded the MWD budget methodology that provides defined resources for each MWD Detachment on an annual basis; approximately $6.7 million annually. Maintain quantitative statistical data that supports the analysis of short and long term methodologies; identifying operational tasks, conditions and standards needed to achieve desired outcomes to meet program objectives for explosive and drug detection teams conducting wartime and law enforcement operations. Proponent for Army Regulation 190-12, Military Working Dog Program, published in November 2019, that provides oversight of the MWD program; major focus areas include MWD authorizations, evaluations (certification), sustainment training requirements, safety procedures, utilization, and explosive/drug training aid management (including accountability, safety, and explosive safety plans). As the Land Component representative for the Department of Defense, serves as the United States voting member for all matters on the employment, training and utilization of MWD’s on the NATO Counter Improvised Explosive Device Military Working Dog Expert Panel. Serves as a voting member on the Joint Service Military Working Dog Committee; presents the Army’s Trained Dog Requirements (TDR) to the Executive Agency. Recognized as a subject matter expert on current and long-range strategic canine operations; ensures force structure and basis of allocation/rules of allocation align with combatant commander requirements. As the Army lead for MWD research and development; routinely collaborate with other Services, Federal and State law enforcement agencies, and academia on new training methods, approaches and technology that will enhance the Army ability to detect, deter or respond to potential threats that could impact operations at the installation or personnel safety. Manages the Army module with the Air Force Working Dog Management System (WDMS) ensuring effective collection and reporting of canine statistics for tracking of utilization and training records according to policies and standards. This allows for better monitoring of training program effectiveness ensuring quick and efficient remedial training of canine assets. Serves as an assessor on the Headquarters, Department of the Army Protection Program Assessment of Army Commands, Army Service Component Command and Direct Reporting Unit on a tri-annual basis to evaluate the effectiveness of their law enforcement and MWD programs with Army policies. Received rating of “Outstanding” on all annual appraisals as a Department of the Army Civilian.

Served as the HQDA Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager and Law Enforcement Policy Analyst supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Operations Division, Law Enforcement Branch. Responsible for the program management of the Army’s MWD program that includes explosive detection, drug detection and patrol assets to include oversight of the MWD program budget in excess of 7 million dollars. Duties include supervising the effective training, utilization, employment, and support activities for all authorized and emerging MWD efforts on Army installations worldwide. Routinely conducts analysis of the MWD program; identifying operational tasks, conditions and standards needed to achieve desired outcome to meet program objectives for explosive and narcotic detection teams conducting wartime and law enforcement operations. Proponent for the Army’s policy that provides oversight of the MWD program; major focus areas include MWD authorizations, evaluations (certification), sustainment training requirements, safety procedures, utilization, and explosive/drug training aid management (including accountability, safety, explosive safety plans). Coordinated and executed over four hundred support request during the past two fiscal years from the United States Secret Service (USSS) and Department of State for Presidential, Vice Presidential, and Secretary of States visits worldwide. Maintain mission coordination with the USSS, Department of State and Foreign Security Services. As the Land Component representative for the Department of Defense, serves as the United States voting member for all matters on the employment, training and utilization of MWD’s on the NATO Counter Improvised Explosive Device Military Working Dog Expert Panel. Serves as a voting member on the Joint Service Military Working Dog Committee; presents the Army’s Trained Dog Requirements (TDR) to the Executive Agency. Recognized as a subject matter expert on current and long-range strategic canine operations; ensures force structure and basis of allocation/rules of allocation align with combatant commander requirements. As the Army lead for MWD research and development; routinely collaborate with other Services, Federal and State law enforcement agencies, and academia on new training methods, approaches and technology that will enhance the Army ability to detect, deter or respond to potential threats that could impact operations at the installation or personnel safety. Created and implemented a Memorandum of Agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigations to facilitate the imprinting of Army MWD teams at their installations in the detection of Homemade Explosives, at no cost to the Army. Manages the Army’s module of the Air Force Working Dog Management System (WDMS) ensuring effective collection and reporting of MWD statistics for tracking of utilization and training records according to policies and standards. This allows for better monitoring of training program effectiveness ensuring quick and efficient remedial training of MWD assets. Assists in the analysis, development, revision, publication and implementation of Army Law Enforcement policy in the following areas: Installation Law and Order Operations; Non-lethal Weapons; Military Working Dogs; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); and Use of Force. Special emphasis includes obtaining unity of effort in Law Enforcement (LE) reporting systems, and development of the policy on the Use of Force and Carrying of Firearms. Routinely develops senior executive level correspondence, briefings and media products; responds to Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison (OCLL) inquiries, and coordinates with other US military services to develop and review policies and procedures to protect personnel, military operations and/or critical infrastructure. Develops and implements policy supported by a cost benefit analysis balanced against risk to ensure that limited fiscal resources are not unnecessarily expended and that operations are minimally restricted or impeded by policy changes. Creates Department of the Army (DA) law enforcement standards, and provides technical support to all DA General and special staff agencies and Army MSC’s for law enforcement matters oriented toward the development of law enforcement operations and police reporting systems. Acts as the technical authority for law enforcement policy ensuring compliance with Department of Defense (DOD) directives and instructions, Homeland Security Presidential directives and Federal Information Processing Standards.

Senior Law Enforcement Policy Analyst supporting the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG) Operations Division, Law Enforcement Branch. Assists in the analysis, development, revision, publication and implementation of Army Law Enforcement policy in the following areas: Installation Law and Order Operations; Non-lethal Weapons; Military Working Dogs; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); and Use of Force. Special emphasis includes obtaining unity of effort in Law Enforcement (LE) reporting systems, and development of the Army Law Enforcing Reporting System (ALERTS). Routinely develops senior executive level correspondence, briefings and media products, responds to Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison (OCLL) inquiries, and coordinates with other US military services to develop and review policies and procedures to protect personnel, military operations and/or critical infrastructure. Develops and implements policy supported by a cost benefit analysis balanced against risk to ensure that limited fiscal resources are not unnecessarily expended and that operations are minimally restricted or impeded by policy changes. Creates Department of the Army (DA) law enforcement standards, and provides technical support to all DA General and special staff agencies and Army MSC’s for law enforcement matters oriented toward the development of law enforcement operations and police reporting systems. Acts as the technical authority for law enforcement policy ensuring compliance with Department of Defense (DOD) directives and instructions, Homeland Security Presidential directives and Federal Information Processing Standards.

Served as the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager in the Office of the Provost Marshal General. Provided leadership, expertise, technical advice, guidance and direction to 7 Regional MWD Program Managers, ensuring overall effectiveness and utilization of approximately 520 explosive and narcotic detection MWD teams. Ensured that program policy, standards and guidelines were communicated clearly and in an effective manner to a multitude of internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for the program management of the Army’s explosive detection, drug detection and patrol MWD assets to include oversight of the MWD program budget in excess of 7 million dollars supporting the effective training, utilization, employment, and support activities for all authorized and emerging MWD efforts on Army installations worldwide. As the subject matter expert, provided technical advice and guidance to management and senior leadership on administrative and operational problems. Proposed solutions for program gaps and identified interdependencies that affected program solutions. Responsible for developing, standardizing and implementing the training and evaluation processes for explosive and drug detection MWD teams for the Army. Developed work improvement plans which increased MWD program proficiency by over 35 percent. Conducted analysis of MWD program; identifying operational tasks, conditions and standards needed to achieve desired outcomes to meet program objectives for explosive and drug detection MWD teams conducting wartime and law enforcement operations. Served as the designated Contracting Officer Representative for the Tactical Explosive Detector Dog contract for 200+ contracted explosive detection canines. Responsible for development and approval of the program of instruction including operations planning and control systems. Developed mission specific MWD law enforcement training curriculum to include imprinting, off-leash training and evaluation methodologies. Executed the review and approval of the instructor material, student hand-outs and audio/visual training material. Responsible for the selection, training and evaluation of the contracted explosive detection canine teams. Resolved detection and obedience training issues that arose during the initial training and evaluation phases. Developed the off-leash patrol explosive detection program for the Army, resulting in increased stand-off for MWD teams supporting high risk operations. Conducted the initial pilot program, training 3 patrol/explosive detector dogs to conduct high risk searches off leash at 100m. Upon completion of the pilot program, developed and approved the course curriculum, instructor material, student hand-outs and audio/visual training material for the off leash course focusing on advanced obedience with a primary focus of being able to control the dogs at a distance of 100 meters while still effectively searching for explosives. Restructured the Working Dog Management System (WDMS) for more effective collection and reporting of MWD statistics for tracking of utilization and training records. This allowed for better monitoring of program effectiveness ensuring quick and efficient corrective actions. Reviewed and analyzed new directives, current laws instructions and policy requirements for revising the Army canine program policy. Completed administrative duties regarding personnel actions for direct reports including identifying flaws in training management, counseling and recommending instructional methods to correct both handler and MWD performance related deficiencies. Utilized information management tools such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel to draft reports, correspondence, and presentations in order to disseminate key program information.