2024 Community Policing Award Recipient
The Community Policing Award is presented to an individual whose efforts have strongly assisted to develop and instill Community Policing as a philosophy that promotes the establishment of collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and the individuals and organizations they serve.
Todd C. McAlister was appointed to the rank of Chief on February 1, 2024 and is assigned to the North East district within the City of Buffalo. The North East district has 114 sworn personnel and 8 civilian staff within its command.
Chief McAlister is a graduate of Canisius University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports medicine and master’s in Athletic administration. Additionally, he has attended the Great lakes FBI leadership training academy and is currently enrolled in the University of Chicago’s Policing leadership academy at the Harris school of Public Policy.
As a Buffalo police officer, he began his career in North district and then transferred to central district where he served for the bulk of his career. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018 and remained in Central district. Then-Lieutenant McAlister supervised a platoon along with the planning and analysis of a plethora of details in the business/entertainment district. This includes but isn’t limited to entertainment areas, parades, sporting events and festivals. In 2023, he was promoted to the Director of Community relations where he coordinated the community policing efforts within the department. During his tenure in this department, he led the department’s Neighborhood Engagement team which aimed towards fostering better relations between law enforcement and the community. He collaborated with Oshei’s children’s hospital, the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, as well as a variety of community partners to implement programs and activities with the Buffalo police department.
Chief McAlister spent seven years working in the Buffalo Public school system as Police security at several high schools during the day and afterschool activities. He is an adjunct professor at two local colleges and a certified instructor in the Erie County law enforcement academy.
Chief McAlister is a co-founder of Children Overcoming Police Stereotypes through Sports (COPSS) a not-for-profit organization established in the city of Buffalo. Prior to joining the Buffalo police department, Chief McAlister served as the Chief of staff for the Common Council of the City of Buffalo. He is a recipient of the Commissioner’s leadership award and the community service award as well as the Red Cross certificate of extraordinary action for saving a life. He is a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Incorporated.