MICHAEL J. DENNING
10317 Palmer Drive, Rowlett,TX
Summary
Results-driven Chief of Police offering 27 years of public safety leadership and a proven record of building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Expert in strategic planning, crime prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution, and policy development. Passionate advocate for officer and employee wellness, cultivating a resilient culture that adapts to evolving challenges and delivers lasting results.
- Serve as executive-level department head reporting to the City Manager, directing strategic and daily operations for a 111-officer, 44-civilian department while representing the department on the city's executive leadership team.
- Managed a $22M annual operating budget, ensuring fiscal accountability, responsible resource allocation, and long-term financial planning for department operations.
- Championed data-driven crime strategies that reduced violent crime by [X]% and property crime by [X]%, achieving the department's lowest crime rate in a decade.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Police
City of Rowlett Texas Police Department
Rowlett Texas
09.2022 - Current
- Implemented “RPD28,” the police department’s first ever 100% employee-owned 5-Year strategic plan.
- Established Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTs) program; integrated into daily patrol operations to enhance crime reduction and traffic safety efforts.
- Enhanced internal communication and employee engagement through implementation of 'The Guardian' monthly newsletter, fostering a culture of transparency and connection within the department.
- Established full-time Public Information Officer (PIO), resulting in enhanced and more timely notifications to city officials for major incidents and calls in progress involving a large police presence.
- Enhanced the use of next generation technologies, including expansion of drone program for Patrol and Tactical Operations and implemented the Community Connect Survey and calls in progress text to citizen notification system.
- Expanded department's 911 Communications Center, increased minimum staffing on all shifts to ensure exceptional service to the community.
- Implemented $1M NextGEN 911 ESINET geospatial call routing and Motorola hardware system.
- Render disciplinary decisions from Internal Affairs Investigations, testify in appeal hearings, and arbitrations
- Established Support, Outreach, Advocacy, and Resiliency Team (SOAR), the department's internal peer support team; and fulltime Resiliency Officer
- Developed Community Outreach, Response, and Engagement Unit (CORE), a co-responder team of two fulltime police officers and a crisis clinician to combat mental health and homelessness calls for service.
- Oversees design/build of $64,000,000 Public Safety Headquarters
- FBI Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
Deputy Chief of Police
Support Operations Bureau
Henderson, NV
04.2018 - 09.2022
- Maintain and control budget of $46,000,000; directly supervise assigned Police Captains and Civilian Administrators; oversee 160 specialized unit officers and detectives, 80 civilian employees, and 100 volunteers
- Provide leadership for Support Operations Bureau - Training and Community Division, Operational Support (SWAT, K9, and Traffic Unit, Investigative Services Division, 911 Communications Center, Animal Control and Services)
- Leader of "HPD 2025" Strategic Plan - Developed the police department's first 100% employee-owned strategic plan
- Member of City Contract Negotiations Team - Successfully negotiated two labor union contracts over the past three years; experience in arbitrations, and complex employee relations matters
- Lead transition from department participation in regional police academy to stand-alone Henderson Police Academy
- Developed Critical Incident Review Unit, policies and procedures for criminal and administrative investigations, response procedures for officer involved shootings, media strategy, and internal and external communication from the Office of the Chief
- Created HPD Lifeline employee wellness program, promoting mental health resources and support for department personnel
- Designated department lead of COVID-19 Pandemic, worked collaboratively with Human Resources to develop employee quarantine and return to work guidelines, responsible for all department communications related to pandemic and recovery
- Oversaw design/build of new $25 million Police Substation
- Oversaw design/build of new $22 million Criminalistics Laboratory
Acting Captain
Technical Services Division
Henderson, NV
06.2017 - 04.2018
- Police Department Project lead of Body Worn/In-Car Camera Project and Request for Proposal (RFP) Committee, worked with City Attorney's Office to successfully negotiate $3.5 Million contract with Body Worn by Utility Inc.
- Led Motorola P1 Mobile and Records Project, enhancing operational capabilities within the Police Department
- Police Department Project lead of Motorola P1 Mobile and Records Project
- Oversaw budget and capital improvement projects as Executive Board Member for Eldorado Valley Regional Training Center, ensuring effective facility upgrades
- Presented Taser Upgrade Project to Mayor and Council, implemented comprehensive training plan for all sworn officers
Lieutenant
Training Section
Henderson, NV
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Restructured training section and developed Use of Force Unit and Field Training and Evaluation Unit to enhance overall training effectiveness.
- Developed procedure for department's response to high-profile controversial incidents and provided targeted training for Command Team, local diversity/civic groups, media, City Attorney's Office, Public Information Teams, City Managers, and City Council Members to improve community relations and communication.
- Led Southern Desert Regional Police Academy (SDRPA) Class 2016-02 and 2017-01, renewed academy MOU, reducing tuition and fees by over $20k annually, strengthening partnerships with College of Southern Nevada, and enhancing lesson plans and course curriculum.
Lieutenant
Patrol / Watch Commander
Henderson, NV
08.2015 - 08.2016
- Incident Commander of numerous critical incidents
- Responsible for guiding and developing subordinate sergeants, effectively deploying resources, maintaining minimum staffing levels, providing service to citizens, handling citizen complaints, and organizing and participating in community events
- Guided and developed subordinate sergeants, deployed resources effectively, maintained minimum staffing levels, provided service to citizens, handled citizen complaints, and organized community events.
- Collaborated with patrol captain on crime reduction strategies targeting high crime beats within area command
- Conducted first patrol operation utilizing Intelligence Led Policing (ILP) Camera System, enhancing situational awareness
Lieutenant Tactical Response Bureau
SWAT And K-9 Unit
Henderson, NV
09.2013 - 08.2015
- SWAT Commander accountable for over 200 tactical incidents including high-risk search warrant execution, barricaded subjects, hostage situations and multi-agency SWAT events
- Led SWAT team through cultural and organizational changes following Ferguson MO riots, ensuring adherence to national SWAT training standards and maintaining team morale.
- Coordinated multi-agency Las Vegas/FBI/HPD SWAT hostage barricade operation involving a female hostage-taker, effectively managing resources and communication.
- Led response to July 4th, 2015 officer-involved shooting where a suspect fired a handgun from a hotel room window.
- Streamlined SWAT/K9 inventory procedures and conducted thorough audit of SWAT training program to enhance operational readiness.
Sergeant
Training Section
Henderson, NV
02.2011 - 09.2013
- Organized In-Service training calendar for more than 600 sworn officers and civilian employees.
- Revamped department firearms training, elevating training quality and effectiveness
- Improved culture, energy, morale, and overall credibility of the HPD Training Section
- Enhanced culture, energy, morale, and credibility of HPD Training Section, fostering a positive training environment
- Responsible for organization of In-Service training calendar for more than 600 sworn officers and civilian employees
Sergeant
Patrol Division
Henderson, NV
01.2009 - 02.2011
- Led patrol operations across all three Area Commands.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Police Officer
SWAT Unit And Patrol
Henderson, NV
03.1999 - 01.2009
- Trained and evaluated new officers as Field Training Officer and led operations as Officer In Charge (OIC)
- Executed tactical operations as a full-time SWAT officer
- Conducted tactical operations during high-risk incidents, ensuring team safety and mission success.
- Led training sessions for new recruits, enhancing skills in crisis management and communication.
Education
Senior Management Institute For Police (SMIP)
Class #7507.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV05.1998
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT01.1995
Affiliations
- Graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) - 2019 Class #75
- Master Certificate - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
- Graduate of Texas Police Chief's Association 'Chief's Leadership Series'
- Executive Certificate - NV Police Officer Standards and Training (POST)
- Graduate of Leadership Rowlett 2026.
- Graduate of the 2021 HPD Chief's Leadership Series
- Graduate of the 2021 City of Henderson Executive Leadership Development Program
- City of Henderson Leadership Henderson Program Class of
- 2022 Lifesaving Award 2002
Timeline
Chief of Police
City of Rowlett Texas Police Department
09.2022 - Current
Deputy Chief of Police
Support Operations Bureau
04.2018 - 09.2022
Acting Captain
Technical Services Division
06.2017 - 04.2018
Lieutenant
Training Section
08.2016 - 06.2017
Lieutenant
Patrol / Watch Commander
08.2015 - 08.2016
Lieutenant Tactical Response Bureau
SWAT And K-9 Unit
09.2013 - 08.2015
Sergeant
Training Section
02.2011 - 09.2013
Sergeant
Patrol Division
01.2009 - 02.2011
Police Officer
SWAT Unit And Patrol
03.1999 - 01.2009
Senior Management Institute For Police (SMIP)
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Brigham Young University