Chief Bob Harrison

Written on 10/15/2023
Chief Bob Harrison


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.

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