Charles Ramsey

Charles Ramsey has a distinguished career in law enforcement, marked by leadership roles in major police departments and a commitment to evidence-based policing strategies. After being instrumental in the design and implementation of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), Charles Ramsey went on to shape policing practices nationwide. As co-manager of the CAPS project, he significantly contributed to its strategic vision and operational model, which became a nationally recognized success for community policing, incorporating new training curricula and communication efforts. Ramsey began his law enforcement career as a police officer in 1971, steadily rising through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department.

Conference of Mayors. His career has been honored with accolades such as the Gary P. Hayes Award in 1994 and the FBI Leadership in Counter Terrorism Award in 2006, with the Philadelphia Police Department Training Academy Auditorium named in his honor in 2015. After retiring from the Philadelphia Police Department in January 2016, Ramsey transitioned to a prominent media role, becoming a regular CNN contributor in January 2017, providing expert analysis on law enforcement and public safety issues.

He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from Lewis University and is a distinguished graduate of the FBI National Academy, underpinning his extensive leadership foundation.