Bob Harrison

Adjunct International/Defense Researcher

Off Site Office

Education

P.G. Dipl. in business strategy & innovation, Oxford University; M.S. in management, California Polytechnic University, Pomona; M.S. in human resource management & organization development, Chapman University

One Page Bio

Overview

Bob Harrison is an adjunct researcher at RAND Corporation. Harrison completed his 30-year police career in 2004 as a Chief of Police. He is the course manager for the CA Peace Officer Standards and Training’s (POST) Command College, a graduate program for law enforcement managers. While a fellow with POST, he created and taught instructor development training to the State’s academy instructors. In 2015, he was part of a team that facilitated the creation of a Law Enforcement Foresight Unit for the police in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Harrison has authored articles that have appeared in a number of state and national law enforcement publications.

His research interests include homeland security, justice policy, organizational development, leadership, futures and foresight tools, communications and writing. Harrison's work includes developing a virtual reality platform for police critical decision-making, and the creation of a national guidance document for law enforcement agencies as they make choices about the transition to emerging broadband technologies for public safety.

Research Focus

Concurrent Non-RAND Positions

Course Manager, CA POST Command College

Previous Positions

Police Chief 1998-2004; Fulbright Fellow in Police Studies to the United Kingdom

Recent Projects

The future of broadband for law enforcement
Virtual reality for police critical decision-making

Selected Publications

Bob Harrison, "Policing in the Post-Floyd Era," RAND Corporation Commentary, 2021

Bob Harrison, "The Great Reset - Policing in 2030," PoliceOne, 2020

Bob Harrison, "Police Training 2032 - A Retrospective," The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, (September ), 2014

Bob Harrison, "Command College - Foresight as a Foundation to Law Enforcement Executive Development," On the Horizon, (March), 2019

Bob Harrison, "Why Should Cops Study the Future?" FBI National Academy Associates Magazine, (March), 2015

Bob Harrison, "Forrester's Rules for Police Leadership," The Police Chief, (January), 2015

Bob Harrison, "What support do cops need to perform at their peak?" Police1.com, 2022

Commentary

Workforce Development

A Way Forward for Police Recruiting
Police recruiting is in a prolonged crisis. Without sufficient numbers of quality recruits, no amount of planning, strategies, or programs will succeed. It is critical to draw from a pool of interested persons who are diverse, technologically adept, and who have a spirit of community service.
Dec 16, 2022
Police Chief
Law Enforcement

What Support Do Officers Need to Perform at Their Peak?
Police1's second annual survey on “What Cops Want” shows both major strengths and substantial challenges in the profession. Law enforcement leadership can use the findings to better support and engage their officers.
Jun 14, 2022
Police1
Organizational Leadership

At the Intersection of Leadership, Strategy, and Foresight
Police leaders spend considerable time developing strategic plans, but events and circumstances can evolve in unanticipated ways. To create survivable plans, leaders should assess capabilities and the environment within which they work. To do so, they should incorporate foresight to develop the adaptability necessary to thrive.
Dec 28, 2021
Police1
Police-Community Relations

Stop, Start, or Continue? A National Survey of the Police About Traffic Stops
As research continues to show widespread racial disparities of those stopped by police, it is increasingly seen as a practice that, if ended, would serve the cause of social justice. Should the police continue to conduct traffic stops? Police1 conducted a survey of officers to find out what they think.
Jun 30, 2021
Police1
Law Enforcement

Policing in the Post-Floyd Era
Calls to reform, reimagine, or disband the police can be seen as existential threats. But they present opportunities for progressive change that can work to the advantage of law enforcement.
Apr 30, 2021
Police1
Law Enforcement

From Warrior to Guardian: A Systems Approach to Reduce Police Violence
Personal accountability will always have a role in policing. But the kind of cultural change that is necessary to prevent tragedy is often best tackled by focusing on the system rather than merely blaming the individual officer.
Jul 1, 2020
CalMatters
Law Enforcement

Reactivating Retirees for Police Service in Times of Crisis
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of police officers and deputies have been exposed to or tested positive for the coronavirus. Gaps in personnel coverage could be filled by easing restrictions on the hiring of retired police officers rather than relying on existing resources.
Apr 21, 2020
Police One
Law Enforcement

The Great Reset: Policing in 2030
Scenarios of possible futures can help planners envision what the future could be, and plan ways to optimize opportunities or mitigate damage. Trends regarding retail operations, hotels, tax revenues, fines and forfeitures, and autonomous vehicles are all happening today. We've imagined how they might extend into the future.
Apr 20, 2020
Police One