Thomas C. Johnson

Dr. Thomas C. Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Emergency and Disaster Management Program at Western Carolina University (College of Arts and Sciences, Criminology and Criminal Justice Department). He has taught full-time since 2010, with 35 years of law enforcement experience, including 15 years as a police chief. His academic background includes degrees from Pensacola Junior College, Troy State University, University of West Florida, and Mississippi State University (Ph.D. in Instructional Systems).

Research Interests focus on emergency management technology, special populations in disasters, and law enforcement standards. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored chapters on crisis management and campus safety. His work often bridges academic research with practical applications in emergency preparedness and law enforcement accreditation.

Teaching includes courses like Emergency Planning, Homeland Security, and Research Methods. He has supervised over 20 student research projects on topics such as disaster response, cyberterrorism, and law enforcement protocols. His professional memberships include the International Association of Emergency Managers and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Professional Roles include serving as a team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), assessing police departments nationwide. He has authored technical reports for agencies like the University of Maryland and Bryant University.