Joseph McDowell

Experience

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  US Navy

  Aug 1987 - Sept 1997

  Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Operator/Naval Aircrewman/Aviation Rescue Swimmer

  In 1990, then Petty Officer 3rd Class McDowell was assigned to Helicopter Squadron Light Four Six Detachment Four onboard the USS John L. Hall, which is the 26th ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class (FFG-32) and patrolled in the Mediterranean Sea. On 20 March, the John L. Hall joined Operation "High Stakes" as the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ready ship; McDowell's squadron was the only LAMPS Mark III platform in the Mediterranean Sea at the time. The operation involved tracking a Soviet Victor III submarine. During the mission, John L. Hall and McDowell's flight crew broke prosecution to conduct an emergency medical evacuation from USS SPADEFISH to the USS EISENHOWER. Participation in "High Stakes" lasted until 04 April. A port of call in Spain was cut short so the John L. Hall could join Operation "Fox Chase" which involved locating and surveillance of a Soviet Victor I submarine. The John L. Hall then moved into central Mediterrian for Operation "World Cup" which was the tracking of a Soviet Victor I submarine. McDowell assisted in experimenting with new ASW equipment during the three detection and pursuit operations. With Iraq's invasion of Kuwait John L. Hall was called upon to transit the Suez Canal along with USS TICONDEROGA, USS SCOTT, USNS NEOSHO, USS SURIBACHI, and USS EISENHOWER in support of Operation "Desert Shield". McDowell was part of the crew onboard the USS John L Hall, who conducted the first Maritime Security Intelligence Operations and ship-boardings during Operation Desert Shield; McDowell served as an aerial gunner. Seven months after his deployment, McDowell was promoted to Second Class Petty Officer and was responsible for maintaining his squadron's Naval Warfare Publication Library. Show less

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  Philadelphia Police Department

  Oct 1993 - Dec 2018

  In November 2012, McDowell was promoted to the rank of Inspector and assigned to the Command Inspections Bureau (CIB). McDowell performed as an Incident Commander, supervising eight Captains, during major unplanned incidents utilizing the Incident Command System in accordance with the National Incident Management System. In February 2015, Inspector McDowell was assigned to the Standards and Accountability Bureau to conduct audits and inspections for accurate and objective review of the departmental procedures, facilities, property, equipment, personnel, and administrative and operational activities. These reviews are conducted to ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures with the goal of improving effectiveness and improving standards of service. McDowell started to incorporate case law, as a training mechanism, into the audit of pedestrian and vehicular investigations to ensure PPD compliance with the law. In November 2015, he assumed command of the Standards and Accountability Bureau leading the following units: Audits and Inspections Unit, Quality Assurance Unit, Overtime Management Unit, and the Court Liaison Unit. As the Commanding Officer for Standards and Accountability, McDowell supervised and managed the internal audit for the PPD to prepare for the federal audit by the DOJ, for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. McDowell's three years of experience as the PPD’s overtime budget watchdog gave him the responsibility and accountability to monitor and report overtime budget anomalies and investigate the misuse of overtime. Show less As the Captain in the 3rd Police District, McDowell served as the Commanding Officer in a multi-cultural community where he developed and implemented crime reducing strategies and tactics lowering violent and property crimes and increasing police engagement with the community. McDowell directed the Lieutenant in charge of South Street, which is a tourist attraction in the City of Philadelphia. After 22 months in the 3rd District, he was selected to research, develop and build the Philadelphia Police Department's Real-Time Crime Center, which operates as an Intelligence-led Policing & Crime Analysis Operations Center for the officers, investigators, and commanders in the field. McDowell's research led to a thesis proving how Real Time Crime Centers can support the Intelligence Community in preventing home-grown and domestic terrorism. Additionally, as the C.O. of the RTCC, he led the team that improved Philadelphia's Video Surveillance Anti-Crime Cameras and implemented the Automated License Plate Recognition operations. Show less Directly managed four sergeants and fifty-six officers (25th District) to execute the patrol, investigations, and administration functions, narcotic enforcement, tactical crime detection & prevention, community relations, school safety programs and systems, and bicycle patrol for overall public safety. Performed the duties as an Executive Officer (25th District second in command), for a district the size of 5.8 square miles with approximately 80,000 citizens and 237 police personnel assigned in a violent crime area. Human Resource manager to ensure salary, injury, training, scheduling, labor issues, work force and personnel issues are handled professionally and in a timely manner.Planned and implemented a public safety operation within the Latino community to ensure safe and fun celebrations for the annual Puerto Rican day parade; planned and implemented a crime strategy/deployment plan which resulted in an average 15% sustained decrease in violent crime. Strengthened and facilitated communications within the Latino community to detect, deter and prevent crime, and develop a solid partnership with Latino stakeholders.Directly managed four supervisors and forty-five police officers in the second busiest section in the City of Philadelphia (12th District second in command) and adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport. Show less Investigated complaints against police and internal corruption based on allegations.Conducted interviews, interrogations, field surveillance, and photographed crime scenes and personal injuries involving sensitive and confidential matters.Prepared final written reports for superiors.Maintained and scheduled preventive maintenance on the squad’s fleet vehicles.Wire-tap certified – Class A.Ensured proper crime scene investigative techniques and thorough crime scene processing within Northwest Philadelphia division, which included Philadelphia University. Acquired information through debriefing defendants/suspects on past and future criminal activities/involvement and forwarded valid information to specialized investigative units in written reports; an investigative leader.Reviewed and confirmed affidavits for arrest and search warrants.Developed a data base to track investigation reports.Managed all affairs and operations for a squad of thirteen investigators.Conducted patrol supervision in a multi-cultural area which included Temple University and Hospital.Leading and directing police officers to maintain peace and order, enforce laws and ordinances, and prevent and detect crime in a diverse, as well as, affluent community, which included the properties of Temple University & Philadelphia University.Managed the scheduling and tracking for officers' state certification and training.Conducted district level training and counseling. Show less

  • Inspector - Office of Standards and Accountability

    Nov 2012 - Dec 2018

  • Inspector

    Feb 2018 - Feb 2018

  • 2015 Papal Visit - Logistics Team

    Jul 2015 - Sept 2015

  • Captain

    Nov 2007 - Nov 2012

  • Lieutenant

    Dec 2004 - Nov 2007

  • Police Sergeant

    Jun 2000 - Dec 2004

  • Police Corporal

    Dec 1999 - Jun 2000

  • Police Officer

    Mar 1994 - Dec 1999

  • Police Recruit

    Oct 1993 - Mar 1994
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  276th Pennsylvania Army National Guard Band

  Oct 1997 - May 2004

  Sergeant (Saxophonist)

  McDowell played alto & tenor saxophone in the jazz and concert bands. He had a collateral duty as the family support officer and armorer maintaining M-16s & M-249s (SAWs).

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  U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Retired)

  Jul 2004 - Jul 2015

  Lieutenant (Retired)

  As an intelligence officer, McDowell has served in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. In 2006, he was part of the NYC team receiving the 2006 DHS Intelligence Leadership Award. Later that year, McDowell was re-assigned to Philadelphia and tasked with starting the reserve intelligence program in Sector Delaware Bay. In 2009, he was one of two selected to attend the National Defense Intelligence College (now National Intelligence University) for a graduate program. In 2011, McDowell's pioneering skills were called upon again to start the reserve program in the Commandant's Intelligence & Investigative Plot where he was the first reservist to complete the Intelligence Watch Officer syllabus. Show less

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  Pennsylvania State University-At The Navy Yard & Great Valley Graduate Center

  Aug 2017 - Dec 2021

  Adjunct Professor, Developing Personal Leadership

  In this course, students will learn the characteristics and competencies of high performing leaders. Students will assess their existing and potential skill-set compared to those of effective leaders. Students will develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in order to achieve career goals.

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  Rosemont College

  Aug 2017 - Jul 2018

  Adjunct Professor, Homeland Security

  Research and writing for Homeland Security: The purpose of this course is to advance critical thinking, research and inquiry skills in academics and Homeland Security as a first step in the thesis writing process to create a primary deliverable in the MA-HLS program. This course identifies and practices the main steps and modalities of good research practices including research methodologies, sources, thesis organization, and development. The goal of the sequence is to provide a keystone in beginning a thesis project, and to support the degree objectives of the MA-HLS program by preparing students to conduct graduate-level, policy-relevant research and deliver the results of this research in an academically rigorous thesis. Show less

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  The School District of Philadelphia

  Dec 2018 - Oct 2019

  PPD Inspector - Office of School Safety

  Chief of School Safety, Philadelphia School District – PPD InspectorDirected and lead the staff of 352 officers, 20 sergeants, 12 lieutenants, 5 command staff, 3 investigators, 6 dispatchers, and 4 incident recorders within the school police department.Coordinated and collaborated with the executive director to ensure compliance with Act 22, Act 44, and Act 67 of the School Code Pennsylvania Law; coordinated with the PPD’s Communication Division and RTCC to establish protocols for Act 44’s “Safe2Say” tip line.Served as a liaison between the School Superintendent and the Deputy Commissioner of Patrol Operations and the PPD.Liaised and served as the PPD point of contact for all public, private and charter schools in the City of Philadelphia to ensure compliance with the School Code Pennsylvania Law. Show less

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  Philadelphia Police Department

  Oct 2019 - Feb 2021

  Police Inspector

  Ensured compliance with Chapter 91 of the Crimes Code of Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA)Ensured compliance with 28 CFR Part 23 Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating PoliciesEnsured compliance with Executive Order 12333 United States Intelligence ActivitiesCreated and managed the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center’s Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP)Worked with local law enforcement sharing knowledge and resources

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  CPL Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center

  Feb 2021 - now

  Associate Director's Executive Assistant & former Police Chief

  The Associate Director directs and manages the following center services: Environmental Management, Logistics, Nutrition and Food, Police, and Prosthetics. Serving as a guardian to protect veterans, patients, healthcare providers, and visitors.Police administrator leading 1 deputy chief, 1 major, 3 criminal investigators, 3 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 30 police officers.Directed the enforcement of laws, risk management, safety and security procedures, policies, and protocols, with transparency and accountability, through empathetic and professional policing.Directed and controlled investigations into criminal activities to ensure the legally and technically correct handling of offenders.Investigated and analyzed plans to identify deficiencies in existing security related equipment and determine if equipment meets the needs of the medical center.Served as a member on several medical center committees.Planned and directed approved projects to ensure implementation of physical security measures, and inspections were completed.Supervised the physical protection of patients, applicants, visitors, and employees on medical center property.Collaborated and advised medical center service chiefs and higher management officials in all aspects of security and law enforcement.Supervised tests of installed Intrusion Detection Systems, Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), Panic Alarms, and Security Surveillance Television Systems to ensure proper operation and evaluate corrective or preventative maintenance.Prepared and conducted briefings, presentations, and correspondences to inform executive and department level leaders of physical security program status, upgrades, updates, and recommended protective measures.Exercised applicable Federal, State, and Municipal laws, such as First Amendment gatherings, as pertaining to jurisdiction, status of the facility, the laws of evidence, the rules of criminal procedures, and precedent court decisions. Show less