Major Paul Saunders is the head of the Support Services Division for the Dayton Police Department.

Major Saunders is a native of the City of Dayton and grew up in the Five Oaks Neighborhood. He graduated from Chaminade-Julienne High School, and then served four years in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  

In 2002, Major Saunders graduated from the Dayton Police Academy as a member of the 95th Academy Class. He began his career in the West Patrol Operations Division. During his tenure there, he filled a variety of assignments, including working as a member of the Special Enforcement Team, Hostage Negotiation Team, and the Peer Support Team. In 2009, he was selected for a detective position in the Narcotics Bureau where he was deputized as a United States Department of Treasury - Task Force Officer.

In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and served in the West Patrol Operations Division as a patrol supervisor. In 2013, he was assigned as the Detective Supervisor for the West Patrol Operations Division - Detective and Crime Analysis Unit. Saunders was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2018 and was the Commander of the Strategic Planning Bureau. 

In early 2020, Major Saunders was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Operations where he reviewed and updated all investigative processes and procedures.  He has made other significant contributions such as assisting in researching, planning, and implementing our electronic administrative reporting system and implementing the department's body worn camera system.

In 2022, Major Saunders was named commander of the Support Services Division which oversees all administrative, budgetary, and strategic functions of the department.

SUPPORT SERVICES Division

• Strategic Planning Bureau
• Records/Teletype
• Special Projects Coordinator
• Public Records Administrator
• Fiscal Office
• Auto Recovery
• Radio Information
• Technology Services Unit/Business Analyst
• Tow Administrator 
• Court Detail
• Property Room
• Terminal Agency Coordinator
• Abandoned Vehicle Unit