Thomas Johnson — Instructor Profile

About Thomas Johnson

Thomas A. Johnson Jr. is the chief of police for the City of Dover, Delaware. Before moving to Dover in 2020, Chief Johnson was an 8-year captain with the Upper Darby Township Police Department in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. In that time he had occasion to direct the administration, investigations, training, and professional standards divisions. A former patrol lieutenant and detective sergeant, Tom has enjoyed 26 years in law enforcement and a total of 37 years in public safety. Chief Johnson is cross-trained as an emergency manager, Firefighter, and paramedic.

Chief Johnson has an associate degree in emergency management and planning from Delaware County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from Neumann University. His master’s degree is in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

In his current position, Chief Johnson has placed an emphasis on community policing initiatives under the umbrella of a department-wide community policing philosophy. This includes a citizen's advisory committee, a custom "co-responder" program with social services practitioners, and the adaptation of a national group-violence reduction model for use in Dover. He also believes in the power of leadership and results produced by the best versions of traditional police practices.