Police Administration

Charles "Mike" Swanson joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 and later served as a patrol officer and detective with the Tampa Police Department. He worked in Governor Kirk's Office as Deputy Director of the Florida Council on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. With more than 35 years experience, Mike has designed 11 promotional systems for state patrol, police, and fire agencies. He is experienced in conducting job analysis studies, writing written promotional tests, developing exercises and training assessors, and administering promotional assessment centers. He has trained assessors from 26 states.

After leaving the Governor's Office, Mike taught at East Carolina University before joining the faculty of the Institute of Government at the University of Georgia, where he was responsible for providing research, technical assistance, and training to Georgia state and local law enforcement agencies. Mike developed and led training for more than 10,000 law enforcement officers from 44 states and four foreign countries and also taught abroad. He retired as the Institute's Interim Director.

Mike has co-authored several books, including The Police Personnel Selection process (1977), Introduction to Criminal Justice (1979), Court Administration: Issues and Responses (1987), Police Administration (9th edition, 2016) and Criminal Investigation (11th edition in progress). Three Governors have recognized Mike's contributions to law enforcement agencies in their states. The Georgia Association of Chiefs has twice recognized him for contributions to the association, making him their first honorary Chief of Police for his continuing support. The University of Georgia twice granted him Distinguished Service Awards, as well as the Walter Bernard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service.