Stephen Johnson was appointed as the North Miami Chief of Police on Sunday, August 22, 2010 by City Manager Russell Benford.  He had been serving as the City’s Interim Police Chief since May 1, 2010, following the retirement of former Chief Clinton Shannon.

Stephen Johnson was appointed to the rank of Major in April of 2002, assigned to the Uniform Patrol Section.  In December of 2004, he was reassigned to the Community Policing Services Section.  The Community Policing Services Section Major is responsible for the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Unit, School Resource Officers, Parks Police Unit, Traffic Safety Unit, Marine Patrol, Citizen’s Mobile Patrol, Citizen’s Crime Watch, and School Crossing Guard Program.

Stephen Johnson has been with the North Miami Police Department since 1984.  During his tenure with the Department he worked as a patrol officer for the first three years.  In 1987 he was reassigned to the detective bureau where he handled general investigations, economic crimes, and homicides.  In 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  As a Sergeant, he served in the Patrol Section, the Narcotics Unit, and the Community Policing Unit.  In March of 2003, Stephen Johnson was ranked number one on the Lieutenant’s exam.

Chief Johnson earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Miami Dade College.  He also earned both, Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Public Administration from Barry University.  Stephen Johnson is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy – 216th Session.  He is a State certified instructor, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, and a member of the 5000 role Models of Excellence Project under Senator Frederica Wilson.  He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Barry University, University of Phoenix and at Everest Institute.