Brochure
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Dave Brant
Director NCIS (Ret.)
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
During Mr. Brant’s tenure, he directed modernization of NCIS and transformed the agency from a small US Navy staff to an internationally renowned and highly valued member of the US Intelligence and National Security Agencies.
Art Acevedo
Chief, Houston Police Department
Houston Chief of Police Art Acevedo has proven his fidelity to police reform and transformation and has put a number of initiatives in place in the Houston PD which can serve as a model for those seeking meaningful reform.
Symposium Overview
Throughout much of its history, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) was regarded as a mid-level, but effective law-enforcement organization that provided investigative support and related services to the U.S. Navy. But that role was forever changed on the morning of October 12, 2000, when a US Navy warship that was docked in the Gulf of Aden (Yemen) for refueling, was approached by two individuals in a small fishing vessel who were able to detonate a bomb that blew a 40-by-40-foot hole in the port side of the ship, disabling the ship and killing 17 US Navy sailors, and injured 39 others.
The bombing of the USS Cole set in motion forces that changed NCIS forever. The US Navy reassessed its entire force protection apparatus and decided that the job of coordinating the prevention of similar tragedies in the future belonged to NCIS. The purpose of this Symposium is to suggest that the effort that Director Brant and the NCIS executives devoted to transforming the operations, the management, and the culture of NCIS should be understood and considered by executives seeking to reform and transform their organizational transformation today.
Throughout his career, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo has shown great leadership as an advocate for sensible police reform. He refers to his approach as “progressive policing” and has developed an approach that is well suited to address the challenges of 21st Century Reform.
Collectively our guests will discuss the key aspects of transformation that drove reform of the NCIS and, with Chief Arenado’s leadership, has the potential to serve as model for all law enforcement organizations.
Program
9:00 – 9:20 Welcome: Strategic Planning When Results Matter
- Dr. Thomas McWeeney, Assoc. Director, RIPMG. Cal State San Bernardino
9:20 – 10:45 The NCIS Imperative, Strategic Planning and Transformation
In the aftermath of the bombing of the USS Cole – a seminal event for the US Navy – Dave Brant took the position that the NCIS performance in the aftermath of bombing of the Cole was not satisfactory. As a result, NCIS executive leadership team committed to a unique strategic planning approach and a strong proactive posture that would significantly change the agency’s approach to its operations and every aspect of the organization. An important part of the strategy was the initiation of the new television series, NCIS.
- Dave Brant, former Director of NCIS
- Alberto Mora, former General Counsel of the US Navy
- Mark Russ, current Deputy Director, NCIS
- Mike Gelles, Former NCIS Psychologist and Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
- NCIS TV show rep
10:45 – 12:15 Implications for Contemporary Reform
The corona virus and related threats to the overall economy and social justice is challenging law enforcement agencies to seek new models of governance, innovative approaches to community policing, and new and bold initiatives—all of which will require police departments to undergo a transformation not unlike the NCIS experience. Critical to success will be the ability to avoid the simplistic templates and unthinking processes that have characterized past reform. Progressive policing should become the new law enforcement imperative.
- Art Acevedo, Chief, Houston Police Department; President, Major City Chiefs Assn.
- Dave Brant, former Director of NCIS
- Mike Gelles, NCIS Psychologist and Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
- Martin Sissac, former Chief, Fontana School District Police