Deputy Chief NaShonda G. Howard has twenty-nine years of Law Enforcement experience. Deputy Chief Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Miles College School of Law, Fairfield, Alabama in May 2009.
Deputy Chief Howard joined the Birmingham Police Department on November 28, 1994. After graduating from the Police Academy, she was assigned to the West Precinct as a Patrol Officer and in 1996, reassigned as a Detective in the White-Collar Crime Unit. She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2002 and assigned to South and West Precincts respectively. In July 2009, she was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division as an investigator.
Deputy Chief Howard was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in July 2011 and served as commander of the 911 Call Center. She developed and implemented the Communication Training Officer (CTO) program and certifications for Public Safety Dispatchers I and II’s to establish best practices in accordance with the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials and the National Emergency Numbers Association standards. In August 2012, she spearheaded the renovations of the 911 Call Center and implemented new technology along with the city’s Information Management Systems staff. In August 2013, at the rank of Lieutenant, she was assigned and served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Support Services. In October 2013, she completed the Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development (SLEDS) training in Florence, Alabama. As a Lieutenant, she served as the Interim Chief Jail Administrator of the Birmingham Detention Division from May 2015 through June 2016.
On October 3, 2015, Deputy Chief Howard was promoted to the rank of Captain and continued to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Support Services until October 2017 and then assigned as commander of Crimes Against Property comprised of Burglary, Auto Theft and Major Fraud. In November 2017, Deputy Chief Howard commanded the Internal Affairs Division and finally, the Special Victims Unit in September 2019.
Deputy Chief Howard is an FBI – LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Award recipient and collaborated with FBI- LEEDA staff and organized the 2018 FBI – LEEDA Conference in the City of Birmingham. She worked with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) on behalf of the Birmingham Police Department as part of the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice.
On September 14, 2019, Deputy Chief Howard joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and commanded the Internal Affairs and Academy and Training Divisions. She is a Certified Affirmative Action Professional (CAAP) and serves as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 30, 2023, Deputy Chief Howard was promoted by Sheriff Mark L. Pettway and commands the Academy and Training Division, Court Services Division, Internal Affairs Division and the Support Services Division. On July 4, 2023, Deputy Chief Howard completed the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) Accreditation Manager certification and works on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Accreditation Team.
Deputy Chief Howard is married to Reginald W. Howard.
