Assistant Chief of Police- Operations

As the Assistant Chief of Operations, John Bennett oversees the patrol divisions and coordinates the department’s crime reduction efforts citywide. He is an innovative commander who embraces the latest technology for fighting crime. Under his leadership, officers analyze crime trends, devise daily attack plans and then deploy resources to solve and prevent crime. This led to a 34% drop in part I crimes in 2009 while he was a Major overseeing District II.

Bennett utilized this forward thinking approach with Super Bowl XLIII. He depended on tactical technologies to ensure more than two dozen local, state and federal agencies shared real-time information about planned events, unplanned incidents, risk assessments and resource deployment. To plan and execute such an enormous event, Bennett relied on his seven-years of experience overseeing the Special Operations Division where he was heavily involved in Homeland Security for local law enforcement agencies.

John Bennett served as a member and commander of the Tactical Response Team, known as SWAT, for 15 years. The 25-year veteran has worked as a field-training officer and supervisor, served in Homicide and as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police.

The 25-year veteran has worked as a field-training officer and supervisor, served in Homicide and as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police. He was promoted to Major in 2005. Bennett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from St. Leo University. He has a post-graduate certificate from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in Executive Leadership and is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.

Chief Bennet directs all police patrol operations and the Media Relations Office.