Ronnell Higgins

Ronnell Higgins serves as a Lecturer in the Criminal Justice Department at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, while simultaneously holding the position of Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in late 2023.

Education:

• Master's degree from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Post Graduate School (March 2020)
• Thesis analyzing the Boston Marathon bombing and campus police representation on Joint Terrorism Task Forces

Higgins brings over 30 years of practical law enforcement experience to his academic role, with expertise in police culture reform and accountability systems. His teaching focuses on contemporary policing challenges, emphasizing the importance of internal reform within police departments. He frequently engages students with his perspective that meaningful change must come from within law enforcement, challenging aspiring officers with the question: 'If not you, then who?' His approach is informed by his participation in national policing assessments following critical incidents in Ferguson, Minneapolis, and Portland.

Professional Leadership:

• Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
• Member of the P.O.S.T. Council setting police certification standards in Connecticut
• National consultant for the National Policing Institute conducting post-crisis police department assessments
• Executive fellow with extensive experience evaluating police culture, training, and tactics

Higgins has been instrumental in addressing significant challenges within Connecticut's State Police, including staffing shortages, union relations, and investigations into falsified traffic stops. He has established working relationships with community groups, legislators, and civil rights organizations to improve police practices and transparency, while advocating for evidence-based approaches to police reform.