The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 24, Number 6 | Page 8

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chief Deanna Cantrell
San Luis Obispo Police Department, CA
The Company You Keep
Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. Do you know
what kind of influencer you are? Whose fire are you igniting, and who is igniting yours? We will explore what your capacity is to
influence and be influenced by others during this class.
Before a person can reach their potential and fully understand their significance to others or an organization, they must
understand themselves and be willing to make necessary changes. Self-awareness and self-management are two of the
pillars of the Emotional Intelligence success quadrant. This is tough to do, and takes courage, but those willing to hear the
truth, and speak the truth with others will propel themselves, others and their organization to new heights. Fostering an
attitude of intentional influence will have an incredible impact on everyone in an organization.
Deanna started with the San Luis Obispo Police Department as the Chief of Police on January 4, 2016. Prior to this
appointment, she was with the Mesa, Arizona Police Department for 21 years with her last assignment as the Assistant Chief
of the Administrative Services Bureau where she oversaw Fiscal, Supply, Fleet, Police Information Technology,
Communications, Records and the Forensics Lab. Deanna served as the Deputy Chief of Special Operations, Patrol
Commander, Internal Affairs Lieutenant and Sergeant, Gang and Patrol Lieutenant, and many other positions within the police
department including time spent as a Motor Officer in Traffic, and several Special Operations positions.
Deanna developed a deep-rooted history of community engagement and participation while in Mesa and has continued that
tradition in San Luis Obispo (SLO). She started the Police and Community Together (PACT) Board and Policing Education and
Community Engagement (PEACE) program since moving to SLO. She served on the NAACP Legal Redress Committee, the
Muslim Police Advisory Board and was chair of the Human Rights Forum in Mesa. She served as the chair of the diversity and
peer support teams, and was the departments Subject Matter Expert for constitutional matters regarding search and seizure.
Deanna was an advisor and briefly served as the Chair of the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network (AZ-WIN) serving to increase
the number of women in policing. Deanna is now the chair of the Criminal Justice Administrators Association for SLO County,
serves on the YMCA Board, the Homeless Services Outreach Committee, the Hancock Academy Board, and is on the Changing
the Narrative Committee with the California Police Chiefs Association.
Deanna holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education and a Masters of Administration from Northern Arizona University.
She is a graduate of Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School and the International Association of Chiefs of
Police Leadership in Policing Organizations. Deanna is an adjunct faculty member for Northwestern University teaching policy,
contemporary policing and executive image.
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