Tonya Leonard
Summary
Senior law enforcement executive with three decades of progressive leadership experience in municipal policing, organizational development, community resiliency, workplace wellness, procedural justice, force investigation oversight, and executive-level operations management. Demonstrated success leading precinct operations, overseeing departmentwide initiatives, enhancing police–community relationships, and directing multidisciplinary teams across complex, high-risk environments. Recognized for advancing strategic community engagement, mental health co-response initiatives, unsheltered and innovative resilience programs.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Captain
Detroit Police Department
10.2025 - Current
- Executive oversight of the Fourth Precinct, including operations, personnel management, capital planning, and vehicle fleet administration.
- Directed both Special Operations and the Precinct Detective Unit, ensuring alignment with precinct-wide strategic objectives.
- Analyzed crime data to identify high-risk areas and guide proactive policing strategies, improving deployment efficiency and community safety.
- Developed innovative strategic plans in collaboration with community and business stakeholders, strengthening precinct resiliency and partnerships.
- Oversaw precinct budget management, including staffing allocations and executive approval of overtime utilization.
- Led community engagement initiatives, including youth outreach programs, public crime briefings, and regular community relations meetings.
- Hosted precinct events designed to enhance trust, communication, and transparency with residents.
- Managed executive-level staffing coordination to ensure adequate coverage and operational readiness.
- Provided leadership during CompStat sessions, presenting precinct performance, crime trends, and remedial action plans.
Captain
Detroit Police Department
10.2023 - 10.2025
- Served as Officer in Charge of the Office of Workplace & Community Resiliency and Chief’s Neighborhood Liaison.
- Led department-wide wellness, resiliency, crisis response, and organizational support initiatives.
- Oversaw citywide operations for OWCR and Chief’s Neighborhood Liaison units, supervising 450+ sworn officers, civilian staff, volunteers, and youth auxiliaries.
- Directed Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy Summits, strategic community outreach town halls, youth mentoring initiatives, and youth violence reduction programs.
- Provided executive oversight for department-wide special projects and annual events engaging both internal stakeholders and the community.
- Managed and developed partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and civic stakeholders; identified service gaps and implemented collaborative solutions.
- Exercised executive leadership over Neighborhood Police Officers and community-based policing initiatives.
- Commanded and provided executive oversight for the following units and programs: PEER Support, DPDFIT, Police Athletic League (PAL), Police Reserve Corps, Chaplain Corps, Citizen Academy, LGBTQ Liaison, Veterans Assistance, Traffic Safety, Citizen’s Radio Patrol, Fallen Officer and Critical Injury Board.
- As Commanding Officer, provided executive oversight of youth programs including: PAL; Brotherhood/Sisterhood No Boundaries Mentoring Program; DPD Prep Academy; Explorers; Junior Police Cadets; CitiCamp; and the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Basketball League.
- Founded and operationalized the Detroit Police Department Mental Health Co-Response Team, integrating law enforcement and mental health and behavioral health services.
- Built and launched the Unsheltered Population Response Team, improving coordinated responses to homelessness and vulnerable populations.
Captain
Detroit Police Department
08.2023 - 10.2023
- Led all executive oversight of Fourth Precinct operations, managing a workforce of 100+ sworn officers and professional staff, and directing personnel, capital planning, and vehicle fleet administration.
- Achieved a reduction in all 9 Part One Crime categories through data-informed deployment strategies, enhanced investigative coordination, and targeted enforcement initiatives.
- Directed Special Operations and the Precinct Detective Unit, aligning tactical and investigative efforts with precinct priorities.
- Conducted detailed analysis of crime statistics to identify hot spots and implement proactive, intelligence-led policing strategies.
- Developed and executed strategic community and business stakeholder plans to strengthen precinct resiliency and long-term public safety.
- Managed precinct budgeting, including staffing allocations and executive approval of overtime expenditures.
- Led youth engagement and mentoring programs, strengthening community trust and fostering positive police–youth relationships.
- Oversaw executive-level staffing coordination to ensure operational readiness, coverage, and efficient resource deployment.
- Delivered public crime briefings and facilitated community relations meetings to promote transparency and partnership.
- Represented the precinct during CompStat meetings and Bi-Weekly Mayor Updates, presenting crime trends, operational strategies, and performance outcomes.
Captain
Detroit Police Department
07.2020 - 08.2023
- Promoted to Captain (September 21, 2020); Officer in Charge of the Office of Internal & External Relations.
- Managed citywide operations and directed major organizational programs and initiatives.
- Led departmentwide Police/Community Summits on Procedural Justice and Legitimacy.
- Oversaw PEER Support, CORE, DPDFIT University, and the Mental Health Co-Response Pilot Program.
- Key member of the DPD COVID Action Team.
- Directed special projects and strengthened citywide community partnerships.
Lieutenant
Detroit Police Department
12.2018 - 07.2020
- Promoted to Lieutenant; served as Administrative Lieutenant to Assistant Chief David M. LeValley.
- Managed citywide operations for units reporting to Neighborhood Policing (Patrol Operations, Major Crimes, and Organized).
- Co-developer and lead for the DPD COVID Action Team.
- Oversaw Chief Duty Officer roster scheduling and rotations.
- Supported automation of the Overtime Smartsheet.
- Managed DOJ Human Trafficking Grant reporting for Organized Crime Vice Enforcement.
- Served as liaison to community and organizational partners.
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
10.2017 - 12.2018
- Administrative Sergeant for Organized Crime.
- Secondary street and undercover supervisor for Vice Enforcement.
- Managed DOJ Human Trafficking Grant including operations, statistics and reporting.
- Coordinated travel training, surveillance operations, and records management.
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
11.2013 - 12.2017
- Oversaw Citywide Command-Level Use of Force audits, reporting, training, and DOJ briefings.
- Notification Supervisor, Investigative Team Leader, and Auditor for the Citywide Command Level Use of Force Review Team.
- Civil Rights Integrity Bureau (CRIB) Liaison; alternate Alert Supervisor for force notifications.
- Trainer for Use of Force policy and supervisor investigative reporting.
- Joint-lead for redesign and implementation of Force Investigation Case & Command Level Tracking Database.
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
05.2017 - 10.2017
- Conducted investigations involving criminal misconduct, major policy violations, and fraud.
- Served on the Financial Audit Team.
- Managed record retention and timekeeping for the unit.
- Travel Training Coordinator and trainer for civilian staff assigned to PSB.
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
09.2006 - 11.2013
- Promoted to Sergeant during assignment.
- Administrative support to command staff; liaison to Civil Rights Integrity Bureau.
- Managed force investigation records and citywide audit reviews.
- Quality control and data audit functions; alternate timekeeper.
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
09.2005 - 09.2006
- Performed patrol, administrative, and special assignment duties.
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
01.2004 - 09.2005
- Patrol, undercover, and administrative functions.
- Joint coordinator for administrative record relocation during precinct merger.
- Completed specialized assignments across operational areas.
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
04.1999 - 01.2004
- Field Recruiter (M.L.E.O.T.C./M.C.O.L.E.S.) and background investigator.
- Coordinated testing, administration, and career fairs with universities and military branches.
- Conducted restoration and return-to-duty investigations.
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
11.1995 - 07.1999
- Certified patrol officer; trained in surveillance, undercover operations, and Mobile Field Force deployment.
Student Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
06.1995 - 11.1995
- M.L.E.O.T.C. certified; trained in firearms, first aid, precision driving, and defensive tactics.
Education
Master’s Degree - Organizational Leadership & Strategic Management
Wayne State University, Mike Ilitch School of Business
05.2025
Master’s Certificate - Business Administration (Business Leadership)
Wayne State University, Mike Ilitch School of Business
04.2020
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Wayne State University
12.2018
Skills
- Executive leadership
- Crisis management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Wellness programs
- Procedural justice
- Organizational development
- Youth prevention strategies
- Interagency collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Recruitment and investigations
- Emotional intelligence
Websites
Awards
- Women in Blue Officer of the Year (2020)
- Chief’s Citation & Medal
- 2023 International CIT Executive Committee Host Convention Appreciation Award
- International Distinguished Service Award from Albania State Police
- Life Saving Award
- Chief’s Unit Awards
- Numerous Meritorious Awards, Citations & Letters of Commendation
Organizations And Professional Affiliations
- DPD Sisterhood – No Boundaries Mentor/Liaison
- PEER Support Team
- CORE
- DPD Fit
- DPD Honor Award Committee
- DPD Board of Ethics
- CIT International – Member
- Chairperson for the Detroit Police Department Benefit and Protection
- State CIT – Member
- Mental Health First Aid USA
- Critical Incident Stress Management Member
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- DPD Command Officers Association
- Former Chief’s Supervisor Advisory Board Member
- Former Media Co-Director – Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC
- Former Youth Coordinator / Chairlady – Faith Tabernacle
- Former Youth Chairperson & Dance Ministry Leader – Life in Zion Ministries
- Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC Peersuader
Certifications And Specialized Training
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Outlook
- Mental Health First Aid
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
- Behavioral Health Emergency Preparedness (BHEP) – Train the Trainer
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) & Critical Stress Debriefing
- Procedural Justice & Police Legitimacy
- Restorative Practices & Conflict Resolution
- AELE National Certified Use of Force Litigation Specialist
- PEER Support – Advanced Training
- Community Relations and Outreach platforms
Timeline
Captain
Detroit Police Department
10.2025 - Current
Captain
Detroit Police Department
10.2023 - 10.2025
Captain
Detroit Police Department
08.2023 - 10.2023
Captain
Detroit Police Department
07.2020 - 08.2023
Lieutenant
Detroit Police Department
12.2018 - 07.2020
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
10.2017 - 12.2018
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
05.2017 - 10.2017
Sergeant
Detroit Police Department
11.2013 - 12.2017
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
09.2006 - 11.2013
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
09.2005 - 09.2006
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
01.2004 - 09.2005
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
04.1999 - 01.2004
Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
11.1995 - 07.1999
Student Police Officer
Detroit Police Department
06.1995 - 11.1995
Master’s Degree - Organizational Leadership & Strategic Management
Wayne State University, Mike Ilitch School of Business
Master’s Certificate - Business Administration (Business Leadership)
Wayne State University, Mike Ilitch School of Business
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Wayne State University