(Our presenters and panelists are drawn from law enforcement, academia, public service, and corporate America. Each brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in their individual fields of endeavor.)
The Speaker
Sonia Watson was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief in April of 2018. She is the only female currently appointed to this rank. Beginning January 2023, Deputy Chief Watson took on the role of the Chief of Investigative Services Bureau. Prior to this assignment she was the Chief of Patrol Operations, and the Community Service Bureau; including Detention, Auxiliary Services, the Patrol Officer Field Training Program, the Emergency Response Team, Marine and Dive Team, Honor Guard, Hostage Negotiation Team, and Bomb Squad. Deputy Chief Watson started her career in 2003 as a patrol officer after graduating from the Hartford Police Academy. In 2007, she was promoted to a detective and in 2008, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. In this capacity, Deputy Chief Watson supervised in the Patrol Division before she was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division. In 2014, she was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant and became the commander of the Special Investigations Division. She also held the role of the Hostage Negotiation Commander and graduated from the Southern Police Institute Command Officer Development Course. As a Deputy Chief, she previously served as the Chief of the Community Service Bureau, then transitioned to Chief of Administrative Services. She is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum: Senior Management of Police Institute and has served in a several of command roles.
The Workshop
Chief’s Panel :
Thursday, October 22, 2026 02:30P
Police Chiefs answer fielded questions from throughout the year, and attendees have an opportunity to ask questions about being a police chief and the road to becoming a police chief.