Leadership and Mentorship in Law Enforcement with Chief Donna McNamara

Guardian Mindset Podcast

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Guardian Mindset Podcast, Host Attorney Eric Daigle sits down with Chief Donna McNamara of the Stoughton Police Department, Massachusetts. They discuss her extensive career, leadership philosophy, and the evolution of mentorship in law enforcement.

Key Topics:

• Introduction and Background:
  • Chief Donna McNamara's career journey, starting in 1996 with the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and her rise through the ranks in the Stoughton Police Department.
  • Her educational background, including a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College and a Bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University.
• Leadership and Mentorship:
  • The importance of mentorship for female officers and the challenges faced by women in law enforcement.
  • Chief McNamara's efforts to create a supportive environment for new officers, emphasizing communication skills and de-escalation techniques learned during her time as a corrections officer.
• Career Development:
  • The significance of lateral moves within the department to gain diverse experiences.
  • The role of professional development programs and certifications in shaping her career and preparing for leadership roles.
• Community and Technology:
  • The evolving relationship between law enforcement and communities, especially in the wake of significant events.
  • The future of policing, including the integration of AI and other technologies to address staffing challenges.
• Highlights of Chief McNamara’s Year as President of FBI-LEEDA:
  • Representing the organization at the Candlelight Vigil and the leadership conference in Dubai.
  • Insights into Dubai's advanced policing technologies and the potential benefits of international law enforcement collaborations.

About our Guest:

Chief Donna McNamara began her criminal justice career in 1996 with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff/ Corrections Officer in the County House of Correction. McNamara was hired by the Stoughton Police Department in 2001 as a Police Officer. She has served in various positions within the organization including Detective, Patrol Sergeant and Lieutenant before her appointment to Interim Chief. Chief McNamara was appointed in 2017 as the permanent Chief of Police for the Stoughton Police Department, a Massachusetts Accredited Police Agency.

Chief McNamara earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University.

Chief McNamara was the recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award in 2014. She has continued to pursue extensive professional development by attending the Police Executive Research Reform (PERF) Senior Management Institute Session 65.

She has attended the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Women and Power: Leadership in a New World, as well as the International Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute and the New England Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.

Additional Resources:

• FBI-LEEDA: https://www.fbileeda.org