By Dr. Tanya Meisenholder and Zoe Russek-Sobol
In April 2025, public safety professionals gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the inaugural Leading Without a Badge Summit, an event designed to highlight the critical role of civilian leaders in law enforcement. Hosted by the University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice, the summit provided a platform for civilian leaders, including chiefs of staff, human resource professionals and program managers, to exchange promising practices, discuss organizational culture and explore innovative strategies to enhance public safety.
Key themes and discussions
The summit focused on several pressing topics, including:
- The role of civilian leaders in public safety transformation – How professional staff shape law enforcement agencies.
- Innovative technologies – The impact of AI, predictive analytics and data-driven strategies on policing.
- Navigating organizational dynamics – Strategies for addressing internal challenges and cultural shifts.
- Building trust and inclusion – Strengthening transparency and collaboration between law enforcement and communities.
- Recruitment and retention – Addressing the challenges of attracting and keeping top talent in civilian public safety roles.
Over 185 attendees from 103 organizations across 22 states participated in panel discussions, workshops and networking receptions, gaining actionable insights to implement within their agencies. Experts in AI, community engagement, and law enforcement innovation shared their perspectives, reinforcing the importance of civilian [1] leadership in shaping the future of public safety.
“This inaugural summit demonstrated the momentum, necessity and importance of bringing together these critical individuals and roles which work to support public safety throughout communities across our country,” said Ben Haiman, Executive Director for the University of Virginia’s Center for Public Safety and Justice.
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At the Leading Without a Badge Summit, Nola Joyce received an award recognizing her outstanding contributions to civilian leadership in public safety. The award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the role of non-sworn professionals in law enforcement. Nola’s recognition highlights her significant impact on shaping policy, fostering collaboration between sworn and civilian personnel, and driving meaningful changes within public safety agencies.
A summit highlight was a panel discussion featuring Chief Kevin Davis (Fairfax County, Virginia) and Chief Peter Newsham (Prince William County, Virginia), who shared their insights on the evolving role of civilian leadership in law enforcement. The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration between sworn and non-sworn personnel. It provided valuable perspectives on how civilian leaders can drive meaningful change while working alongside traditional law enforcement structures.
“As chief of police, I understand and appreciate the role of professional staff leaders in law enforcement and appreciate the value of their contributions.These individuals help make their communities safer and enable our officers to be more effective in their roles,” said Chief Newsham. “The unique talents of professional staff leaders and members help supplement the knowledge and the skillsets of our sworn officers.”
Introducing the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety
The National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety is a newly established organization dedicated to supporting civilian law enforcement leaders. The National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety aims to provide resources, advocacy and professional development opportunities for civilian personnel, ensuring their contributions are recognized and valued within the broader public safety landscape.
With initiatives such as leadership training, role-specific professional development and networking opportunities, the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety seeks to elevate the role of professional staff and foster collaboration between sworn and civilian leaders. A key focus of the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety is recruitment and retention, ensuring agencies have the tools to attract and maintain a strong workforce. By fostering networking opportunities that can lead to mentorship, offering educational experiences that build critical career skills, and mapping clear, navigable pathways for professional growth, the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety is committed to strengthening the civilian workforce in public safety.
| LEARN MORE: National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety
Looking ahead
As law enforcement continues to evolve, civilian leaders’ contributions will be more crucial than ever. Events like the Leading Without a Badge Summit and organizations like the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety pave the way for a more transformative and practical approach to public safety. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and championing professional staff leadership, the future of law enforcement is set to be more dynamic and impactful than ever before.
“The National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety is both critical and timely for public safety organizations to leverage,” said Nola Joyce, Partner, 21 CP Solutions and Former Chicago, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia Police leader. “Having served in three major city police organizations, in senior positions, I understand firsthand how this organization will help support our professional staff leaders and members by connecting people and sharing effective practices with the field.”
For more information about the Leading without a Badge Summit and the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety (NAPSPS), click here and follow us on LinkedIn.
Reference
1. Professional staff members in public safety have multiple different reference names including “civilian,” “non-commissioned,” “professional staff,” “non-uniformed.” While different organizations have adopted different preferences, this article uses “civilian” and “professional staff” interchangeably.
About the authors
Dr. Tanya Meisenholder is Director of Police Research (NYU) Policing Project and Deputy Commissioner (Fmr) NYPD.
Zoe Russek-Sobol is Chief Program Officer for the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety.
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