Danielle M. Outlaw
Danielle M. Outlaw is a trailblazing leader with a distinguished career in law enforcement and security. As one of the nation’s foremost experts in public safety, Outlaw brings unparalleled expertise in leading complex organizations through times of transformation. With a deep understanding of the complexities facing modern policing and security, Outlaw brings a balanced perspective that merges strategy with compassion, innovation with tradition and leadership with accountability. Her journey is a testament to the fact that true leadership is not measured by the easy moments, but how one navigates adversity while staying true to one’s principles.
Before taking on the pivotal role of Deputy Chief Security Officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Outlaw served as the Police Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department, the fourth-largest police department in the country. Under her leadership, the department navigated some of the most challenging times in modern policing, with Outlaw remaining steadfast in her commitment to integrity, innovation and community engagement.
Prior to her tenure in Philadelphia, Outlaw was the Chief of Police for the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon, where she built a reputation for her strategic approach to community policing and reform. She was the first African American woman to lead both the Philadelphia Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau, a historic achievement that underscores her role as a transformative force in law enforcement. Her career began in Oakland, California, where she spent two decades with the Oakland Police Department, ultimately rising to the rank of Deputy Chief.
Beyond her executive leadership in law enforcement, Outlaw is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader. Her TEDx Talk, Humanity in Authority, challenges the misconception that authority and humanity are incompatible, offering a powerful narrative on how law enforcement leaders can wield authority with empathy and understanding. She has also delivered keynote presentations on critical topics such as Race and Policing, Women in Law Enforcement, De-escalation, Use of Force, and Community Trust Building. Her expertise is frequently sought after to provide technical assistance in police accountability, risk management and organizational reform.
Outlaw’s contributions to the field of law enforcement have earned her numerous accolades, including the Police Executive Research Forum’s Gary P. Hayes Award, the Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Culture of Caring Award, and the United Negro College Fund’s Outstanding Youth Role Model Award, to name a few.
A lifelong advocate for education and professional development, Outlaw holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of San Francisco and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She is also a graduate of prestigious programs including the FBI National Executive Institute, the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute of Police, and the Major Cities Chiefs’ Association Police Executive Leadership Institute.
In addition to her professional achievements, Outlaw is an active member of several organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. She has also served on the Executive Board of the Major Cities Chiefs’ Association as Second Vice President and is deeply involved in community service through her memberships in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.