 Your Commissioner- James M. O’Dell
Chief Jim O’Dell was born and raised in Jamestown, NY.
He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Business Administration
and Education from Emporia State University located in Emporia, Kansas. He
is a graduate of the Police Foundation Harvard Business School Senior Management
Institute, the FBI National Academy, and Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE)
Program.
Chief O’Dell began his law enforcement career in 1970 for
the City of Lakewood, Colorado. In 1985, he accepted the position of Chief
of Police with the City of Kettering, Ohio. The Kettering Police
Department is comprised of 83 sworn officers and 26 non-sworn personnel, has an
operating budget of $9 million dollars, and serves a community of over 63,000
people.
Chief O’Dell is a member of the International Association
of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), as well
as the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). He was selected as an
OACP Advisory Services Division, Police Management Consultant in 1989. In
1997, he successfully completed Assessment Center Training conducted by
Personnel Performance, Inc. and has served as a LEAD Consultant in conducting
assessments in over 40 different agencies.
Having proven success in law enforcement, Chief O’Dell is
PERF’s designee on the Commission board, and began his service in 1997.
He will complete his second term in 2002. He is Vice-Chair of the
Commission, Chair of the Corporate Affairs Committee, sits on the Strategic
Planning Committee, and is a member of Review Committee D.
As recruitment is a major hurdle for many law enforcement
agencies, Chief O’Dell chairs a committee in conjunction with Ohio Association
of Chiefs of Police to develop the best practices to increase interest in law
enforcement, as well as to broaden the pool of viable candidates.
In reference to CALEA, O’Dell said, “Since my early
days in law enforcement, I have recognized accreditation as a necessity.
It’s an honor to be a part of such a dynamic organization comprised of
forward-thinking people.”
Chief O’Dell and his wife Sharon, of 32 years, have three
children and one grandchild. O’Dell enjoys an occasional game of
handball–every morning–and physical fitness.
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