Danielle Outlaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danielle Outlaw
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| Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department | |
| In office February 10, 2020 – September 22, 2023 |
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| Mayor | Jim Kenney |
| Preceded by | Richard Ross Jr. |
| Succeeded by | John M. Stanford Jr. |
| Chief of the Portland Police Bureau | |
| In office October 2, 2017 – December 31, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Marshman |
| Succeeded by | Jami Resch |
| Deputy Chief of the Oakland Police Department | |
| In office 2013–2017 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Danielle Bowman
September 1976 (age 49) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
Danielle Outlaw (born September 1976) is an American former police leader. She held important roles in police departments across the United States. She was the top police officer, called a commissioner, for the Philadelphia Police Department in Philadelphia from 2020 to 2023. Before that, she was the chief of police for the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon from 2017 to 2019. She also served as a deputy chief for the Oakland Police Department in California from 2013 to 2017.
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Early Life and Education
Danielle Outlaw grew up in Oakland, California. Her parents worked for the California Department of Transportation and AT&T. She went to Holy Names High School in Oakland.
When she was younger, Outlaw did not have a good opinion of the police in Oakland. However, during high school, she visited the Oakland Police Department as part of a career program. She even got to patrol with officers. This experience changed her mind, and she realized that many police officers were just like her.
Outlaw went to the University of San Francisco and earned a degree in sociology. Later, she received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University. She wanted to get her MBA to stand out in her field. She also received several awards, including the Oakland Black Officers' Association Trailblazer Award.
While in college, Outlaw appeared on the TV game show Wheel of Fortune in 1996. She won one game and made it to the finals. She won over $40,000 in cash and prizes.
Career in Law Enforcement
Danielle Outlaw started her police career with the Oakland Police Department in California. She worked her way up through different roles. These included patrol, community services, and criminal investigations. She became a Deputy Chief during her time in Oakland.
Outlaw believed that police officers should communicate better with people. She thought that women's "soft skills" could help in talking to communities. This could also help avoid dangerous situations.
Leading the Portland Police Bureau
In 2017, Danielle Outlaw became the chief of police for the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon. She was chosen by Mayor Ted Wheeler. Outlaw said she wanted to change how people see policing across the country.
Moving from Oakland to Portland was a big change for her. She was born and raised in Oakland and had strong ties there. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which helped her build a community in Oakland.
When Outlaw became chief, she made history. She was the first African American woman to hold this position in Portland. Before her, two other women had been chiefs there.
Outlaw hoped to increase diversity within the Portland Police Bureau. She wanted more women and people of color to join the force. She also aimed to encourage "diversity of thought" among officers.
She was involved with groups like the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). These groups work to bring more diversity to police forces. These ideas guided her leadership in Portland.
Outlaw served as Portland's Police Chief for a little over two years. She then moved on to a new role in Philadelphia.
Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department
On December 30, 2019, Mayor Jim Kenney announced that Outlaw would be the new Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. She started this job on February 10, 2020. She was the first African American woman to lead the Philadelphia Police Department.
On September 5, 2023, Outlaw announced she would be leaving her role in Philadelphia. She took a new job as a deputy chief security officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She was replaced by John M. Stanford Jr. on September 22, 2023.
Personal Life
Danielle Outlaw is a member of The Links, an organization for professional African American women.
See also
- List of Pepperdine University people
