Deputy Chief Eric Henderson is a lifelong Dayton resident who grew up in the Fairview neighborhood and graduated from Dayton Public Schools. He began his career with the Dayton Police Department in 1999, following his completion of the Dayton Police Academy. His early assignments included serving as a patrol officer and field training officer in the West Patrol Operations Division, as well as working in both uniformed and investigative roles within the Narcotics Bureau.

Promotions

Henderson was promoted to Sergeant in 2008, with assignments in the East Patrol Operations Division, Dispatch, and Homeland Security. In 2011, he was promoted to Lieutenant and appointed Commander of the Strategic Planning Bureau, overseeing the Technology Unit, Policy & Research, Inspections & Audits, and Homeland Security. In 2015, he became the Assistant Division Commander in the West Patrol Operations Division, while also serving as a certified bomb technician on the Dayton Regional Bomb Squad, which supports an eight-county region.

He was promoted to Major in 2016, leading the West Patrol Operations Division, and in 2019 was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police/Chief of Operations, overseeing all three patrol divisions. In January 2022, he was promoted to his current role as Deputy Chief, where he oversees the department’s day-to-day operations.

Education

Deputy Chief Henderson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Park University. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (PERF SMIP), the FBI National Academy, and the Ohio Public Safety Leadership Academy.

Professional Affiliations

He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP)