Derrick Diggs Resume

April 18, 2021
Mr. Robert Burg, EVP

Ralph Andersen & Associates
5800 Stanford Ranch Road, Suite 410
Rocklin, CA 95765
Dear Mr. Burg:
As the former Toledo, Ohio Chief of Police, I monitor developments in my home state and have
followed the recent leadership changes in the Columbus Police Department. Given my
experiences as Chief of the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) for the past five years, I see
parallels to some of the challenges in the Columbus Police Department.
There is an urgent need for violence prevention. Over the past five years in Fort Myers,
reported statistics showed a substantial 51% reduction in violent crime. FMPD carries out
predictive policing using real-time data through the CitiStat program to identify hot spots, crime
trends and allocation of police resources. The technological advances put into place during my
tenure have produced immediate results.
Trust and transparency are at the center of my career in professional law enforcement and are
essential to repairing the disconnect between law enforcement and communities of color. I’ve
successfully reinvigorated community engagement efforts in two different cities in the past
decade, rebuilding relationships and inspiring our officers to restore integrity and
professionalism in their work.
Leadership goes far beyond day-to-day activities of a department. I’m skilled at developing
cooperative relationships with police union officials yet remain firm in my goals for the
department. Diversity and inclusion are prioritized, and training opportunities increased 400%
under my leadership at the Fort Myers Police Department.
I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Derrick W. Diggs
DERRICK W. DIGGS
Profile: Dynamic Chief of Police with more than four decades of metropolitan and mid-size city
public safety leadership, building trust and transparency in communities through
engaging with citizens and implementing progressive, data-driven policing methods.
Committed to employee development and strategic deployment of new technologies.
Education: Master of Public Administration, 1999 – University of Toledo

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Sociology, 1977 – Adrian College
Certificates: Police Law Enforcement Executive College (Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police) 1995
Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy #198 Session 1999
Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute #35 Session 2012
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chief of Police, Fort Myers Police Department, 2016 to present
• Restored integrity, professionalism, accountability and respect in a department facing significant
challenges, including addressing legacy issues surrounding communities of color.
• Instituted change at every level of the department, ensuring trust and transparency, ultimately
driving a 51% reduction in violent crime in the City of Fort Myers since 2016.
• Established a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) within FMPD, bringing together the citywide
camera initiative, ShotSpotter technology, NC4 Street Smart, license plate readers, social media
monitoring, a digital forensics lab and technology data visualization platforms to become one of
the most advanced police departments in the nation. Efforts tracked with substantial crime
decreases.
• Hired 43 new officers in 2018 resulting from an emphasis on recruitment and establishment of
incentive programs, working across city departments to design the package, secure funding
mechanisms and identify high-potential candidates. Rebranded the department with the launch
of the “True Blue” community outreach campaign.
• Increased training opportunities by 400% in all aspects of policing, with an emphasis on
leadership skills and integrity. Instituted regularly scheduled training in Fair and Impartial Police
Practices.
• Managed union relationships while maintaining focus on professionalism; supportive of union
principles and bargaining agreements yet protective of management rights under established
contract provisions.
• Partnered with ATF on the 2018 selection of Fort Myers for a Gun Crime Intelligence Center
(National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) housed within the RTCC, and received the
only $1M Second Chance Act grant awarded by the Department of Justice in 2018.
• Carried out recommendations of Freeh Group International Solutions, enhancing command staff
and ranks through hiring, promotions and realignment of departments.
• Introduced a Group Violence Intervention program to the City of Fort Myers, designed to reduce
street group-involved homicide and gun violence through forging community partnerships to
send messages against violence and offer help to those who want it. Fortified Police Athletic
League youth programs as a part of a robust community engagement effort.
• Obtained CALEA advanced law enforcement recertification in February 2020 after successful
reform and reorganizational efforts. Modern police reforms were in place years prior to the
police reform movement being highlighted at the national level.
Chief of Police, Toledo Police Department, 2011-2014 (career service spanning 1977-2014)
• Rose through the ranks of the Toledo Police Department, advancing a 37-year career including
work in Investigative Services, Field Operations Support Services, Internal Affairs, Recruitment,
Public Affairs, Community Affairs, Vice Narcotics and as a member of the Special Weapons and
Tactics Team. Promoted to command staff in 1995; five-time recipient of Toledo Police
Department Award of Exceptional Performance and received Letters of Commendation, citizen
appreciation and community recognitions.
• Reduced reported crimes by 27% and burglary crimes by 36% through implementing the city’s
data-driven policing initiative, incorporating the use of COMSTAT analytical tools with a city-
wide camera network.
• Expanded community policing programs to include the Toledo Community Initiative to Reduce
Violence, modeled after Operation Ceasefire, engaging law enforcement, criminal justice, clergy
and social service stakeholders from the community.
• Modernized department-wide approach to policing by using advanced data analytics to predict
hot spots, allocate resources and inform staffing decisions, resulting in the highest community
confidence rating in more than six decades.
Deputy Chief of Police, Investigations, 2009-2011
• Served as second in command of the Toledo Police Department. Administered, managed and
supervised the 80 officers in the Investigative Services Bureau including Homicide, Robbery,
Special Victims Unit, Burglary, Theft, Forfeiture, Auto Theft and Scientific Investigative Units and
the crime laboratory.
• Chairman of the TPD Firearms Review Board, investigating all incidents involving firearms
discharged by members of the department and rendering appropriate disposition. Member of
the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium (NOVCC), organized for
coordination in combating violent crime.
• Commanded all TPD officers assigned to federal task forces: U.S. Marshals, ATF, FBI Safe Streets,
and DEA/Metro/HIDTA.
Deputy Chief of Police, Operations/Support Services & Special Enforcement 2001-2009

• Administered, managed and directed the largest organizational component of the police
department, including the uniform patrol division, community services, school resource officers,
gang task force, emergency services/homeland security, mounted patrol, aviation unit, traffic
section and harbor patrol.
• Special enforcement duties included administration and management of communications,
records, Police Athletic League, mountain bike patrol unit and directed patrol (SWAT).
Police Captain, 1995-2001; Police Lieutenant, 1990-1995; Police Sergeant, 1986-1990; and Police
Patrolman 1977-1986
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice – University of Toledo, 2002-2010
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice – Defiance College, 1999-2010
Guest lecturer – Toledo Police Academy, Toledo Fire Academy, Toledo Public Schools, Ohio Crime
Prevention Association’s Basic Crime Prevention School
AFFILIATIONS
International Association of Chiefs of Police | Police Executive Research Forum | Ohio Association of
Chiefs of Police | Florida Police Chiefs Association | National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives (NOBLE) | Florida Department of Law Enforcement Region 10 Training Council | African
American Patrolman’s Association | Toledo Police Athletic League| Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Chief’s Achievement Award 2020
Key to the City of Fort Myers presented by Mayor Henderson 2019
NAACP Law Enforcement Award 2018
SWFL 25 Most Influential Black American Achievers 2018
SWFL Person to Watch, Fort Myers News-Press 2017
Toledo Police Department Professional Service Award 1993
Toledo Police Department Distinguished Service Award 1986

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April 18, 2021

Mr. Robert Burg, EVP

Dear Mr. Burg:

Education: Master of Public Administration, 1999 – University of Toledo

Deputy Chief of Police, Investigations, 2009-2011

Deputy Chief of Police, Operations/Support Services & Special Enforcement 2001-2009

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

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