Assistant Chief Deputy Manuel F. Zamora, Ph.D. commands the Administrations Bureau, which includes the Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Command, Public Information Office, and Grants Management.
Dr. Zamora began his law enforcement career in 1981 with the Houston Police Department, where he gained experience in field operations, criminal investigations, professional development, and support services, including Planning and Research and Crime Analysis. He received several scholarships for meritorious service and bravery, leading to the completion of undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work. His doctoral dissertation, The Effect of Crisis Intervention Team Training on Attitudes of Houston Police Officers was awarded by the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston – University Park, a Carnegie Classification Tier One research-exclusive institution.
Dr. Zamora authored the grant proposal and led the design effort for Houston’s $2.0 million Real-Time Crime Center. During his tenure with Houston Police Department, he led a Special Response Group field force and mobilized for every major, large-scale event in Houston, including protests and demonstrations, major professional athletic sporting events, hurricanes and natural disasters, parades, and national conventions. In his final assignment, he managed the Planning & Research Section, where he led product and equipment evaluation, program assessment, and the analysis and development of policies and procedures.
After accepting a position with the Angelo State University Center for Security Studies, as assistant professor, he retired from Houston, and relocated to San Angelo, Texas. He worked as a founder to the Border & Homeland Security undergraduate and graduate degree programs. His team of colleagues designed the first distance-based, on-line Homeland Security program in Texas and the U.S. under the leadership of Air Force Colonel Robert L. Ehlers, Ph.D. He researched and taught courses in terrorism, human and drug trafficking, ethics, disaster planning and emergency management, justice administration, and international police development.
While teaching, Dr. Zamora served as a Reserves Captain with Harris County Constable, Pct. 2, and was later recruited to the Waller County District Attorney’s Office, where he managed violent crime cases. In 2017, he accepted an executive leadership position with the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as Chief Deputy. In this position, Dr. Zamora successfully submitted grant proposals for technology research, STEP grants, Homeland Security, NRA Foundation, and Office of the Governor grants for interoperable radios, personal protective equipment, and programs using technology to advance violent crime investigations. Dr. Zamora managed special event deployments and investigations to include internal investigations and in-custody deaths. Dr. Zamora holds Master Peace Officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and is a subject matter expert on violent crime and police policies and procedures. As a graduate of the 180th FBI National Academy, Project Blueprint, the Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Dr. Zamora maintains professional memberships with IACP, TX Sheriff’s Association, Chief Deputies Association, and TMPA.
Dr. Zamora’s research interests are program and policy analysis, development, and implementation, and design of community-oriented policing strategies and initiatives. His leadership and command experience contribute to the Sheriff’s Office executive command and leadership.
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