Matthew Henson
Arcola,Illinois
Summary
Director of a consolidated 9-1-1 Center for Coles and Moultrie counties with extensive connections to law enforcement, fire, and EMS communities in East Central Illinois. Retired Interim Chief of Police with 27 years of law enforcement experience. Proven leadership skills and a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to public safety. Committed to enhancing organizational effectiveness and community engagement through innovative policy development.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Coles-Moultrie County 9-1-1
Mattoon, IL
01.2022 - Current
- Developed and executed hiring strategy, stabilizing workforce through increased staffing levels.
- Managed $1.25 million Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Project, launched February 2023.
- Updated the agency's secondary dispatch facility.
- Oversaw committee for updating agency Policy and Procedure manual.
- Revamped Training Program and records retention processes for agency.
- Established relationships with local Police, Fire, and EMS communities.
- Managed staff performance, financials, and key performance indicators to enhance operations.
- Promoted work-life balance initiatives to boost staff morale.
- Created and administered the agency's annual budget, providing bi-monthly reports to the ETSB board.
- Worked closely with technical and software vendors to address issues, update equipment, and forecast future needs of the agency.
Interim Chief of Police
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Performed operations management oversight for employment, administrative functions, logistics and safety.
- Established and enforced policies and procedures to achieve goals and objectives.
- Strengthen public relations through field, office and event interactions.
- Worked to enhance strong working relationships with community members, business owners, city employees, university employees and departmental staff.
- Provide comprehensive updates to the City Managers Office on emerging crime trends, major events and significant project updates.
- Assisted with drafting and disseminating media releases as needed.
- Collaborated with Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies to address crime trends, share information and assist with on-going investigations.
- Collaborated with other city departments to include METCAD, Finance, Human Resources and Neighborhood Services to complete projects and tasks.
- Worked with City Legal and other department heads to address Police Reform and legal updates associated with mental health dispatching in the State of Illinois.
Deputy Chief of Police
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
02.2021 - 08.2021
- Managed the Professional Standards Division, Investigations Division, Front Desk, Fiscal Department and Records Divisions.
- Managed and assisted with the hiring process for civilian staff.
- Managed the promotional process for internal job postings for sworn positions.
- Provided the Chief of Police with regular updates on policy issues, personnel issues and criminal investigations.
- Managed and assisted with purchasing of equipment to support division operational needs.
Patrol Lieutenant
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
12.2018 - 01.2021
- Managed the evening and midnight shifts assigned to the patrol division.
- Completed administrative duties such as; scheduling, payroll submissions, and assigning training courses.
- Mentored and developed officers and sergeants through training opportunities and courses.
- Managed major events, to include protests, which occurred on these shifts.
Detective Sergeant
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
08.2015 - 12.2018
- Managed investigations and prepared criminal cases for court.
- Offered advice, guidance, and leadership to junior detectives and task force members.
- Planned and supervised high-risk search and arrest warrant operations.
- Supervised multi-jurisdictional street crimes task force whose primary mission was to address gun-related crimes in Champaign County, Illinois.
- Provided information, feedback and statistics to administrative staff of surrounding agencies in-relation to task force duties.
Patrol Sergeant
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
11.2011 - 08.2015
- Evaluated and provided guidance to police officers and other personnel.
- Developed positive relationships with community members and leaders by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens and visitors.
- Worked to develop teamwork with officers on shift and mentor officers.
- Took corrective actions when needed and provided officers with direction.
Narcotics Officer
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
09.2003 - 11.2011
- Drafted affidavits for state and federal search warrants.
- Utilized confidential sources to continue narcotics-related investigations.
- Worked in an undercover capacity for more than twelve months to further a federal narcotics investigation.
Patrol Officer
Champaign Police Department
Champaign, IL
02.2001 - 09.2003
- Responded to calls for service, conducted traffic enforcement and investigated traffic crashes.
- Testified in State Court on numerous occasions for various crimes and traffic-related investigations.
Patrol Officer
Charleston Police Department
Charleston, IL
07.1997 - 02.2001
- Assigned to the midnight shift in the patrol division.
- Responded to calls for service, conducted traffic enforcement, investigated traffic crashes and testified in State Court.
Patrol Officer
Arcola Police Department
Arcola, IL
02.1995 - 07.1997
- Assigned to the Patrol Division of the department.
- Responded to calls for service, investigated traffic crashes, conducted traffic enforcement and testified in State Court.
Education
142nd Administrative Officer Course
Southern Police Institute
Louisville, KY11.2019
Bachelor of Science - Administration of Justice
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale
Carbondale, IL05.1994
Skills
- Leadership by example
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Decisiveness
- Risk Assessment
- Problem solving
- Team building
- Planning and execution
- Interviewing and Hiring personnel
Affiliations
- Charleston Police Department officer of the year in 2000
- Champaign Police Department officer of the year in 2007
- Recipient of the Chief's Distinguished Leadership Award at the Champaign Police Department in 2018
Timeline
Director
Coles-Moultrie County 9-1-1
01.2022 - Current
Interim Chief of Police
Champaign Police Department
08.2021 - 12.2021
Deputy Chief of Police
Champaign Police Department
02.2021 - 08.2021
Patrol Lieutenant
Champaign Police Department
12.2018 - 01.2021
Detective Sergeant
Champaign Police Department
08.2015 - 12.2018
Patrol Sergeant
Champaign Police Department
11.2011 - 08.2015
Narcotics Officer
Champaign Police Department
09.2003 - 11.2011
Patrol Officer
Champaign Police Department
02.2001 - 09.2003
Patrol Officer
Charleston Police Department
07.1997 - 02.2001
Patrol Officer
Arcola Police Department
02.1995 - 07.1997
142nd Administrative Officer Course
Southern Police Institute
Bachelor of Science - Administration of Justice
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale