Henry Porretto is a law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of solid experience. Currently a consultant at the Mathis Police Department in Texas, Henry is a firm believer that leadership, strategic planning, conscious implementation and professional management matter in all police department operations.

 

Henry's two-year consultancy services to the Mathis Police Department are hinged on ensuring that the force provides genuine, unswerving service to the community. Henry's primary duty is to craft actionable procedures and policies to "professionalize" the department. He is also responsible for putting supervisor accountability and management trainings in place.

 

In addition, Henry is tasked to reorganize the Code Enforcement & Animal Control Divisions and assist in selecting the new Police Chief. He is expected to develop a Stabilization and Retention Plan. Henry's duties also include solving public order crimes as well as complex code enforcement issues.

 

Henry's work experience had always been focused on law enforcement. Within the years 2011 and 2015, Henry was named Chief of Police at the Galveston Police Department. During this period, he was able develop, prepare and administer a $17.2 million budget for the department. He initiated the department-wide implementation of OSSI, a new software package for police records management. Henry also developed the highly praised "Protect with Respect Initiative" within the department.

 

Henry took the safety of people in Galveston as a serious responsibility. He is credited for coordinating and planning the security of all attendees of the annual Lone Star Rally and Mardi Gras. Under his leadership, the Galvaston Police Department saw their productivity levels increase. There were fewer complaints and civil litigations than usual, too.

 

Henry's career in Galveston Police Department as a leader or head officer officially started in 2000, during which he was Watch Commander. He oversaw Special Projects Commander-Start-up, Jail Operations and Parking Control and Homeland Security. Henry also became Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team Commander and spearheaded the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), among other projects. In 2008, Henry was Operations Bureau Commander. His most important work was his 12-month stint as a patrol operations leader overseeing officers in the Hurricane IKE-250 fleet. He implemented training on Policy Development for the department as well.

 

Within 2009 and 2011, Henry was named West Isle Communities Commander who implemented crime-deterring strategies for the Galveston Police Department using the Consultation, Adaptation, and Mobilization or CAMSTAT model. Henry also became commander of the Response Group, instructor on Lead Firearms and coordinator of the Field Training Program. Other police-related work experiences in Henry's portfolio include Director of Beach & Parks Security Operations, Patrol Supervisor-Sergeant at the Galveston Police Department and Patrolman at the Galveston Police Department.

 

Henry is a holder of multiple degrees, all of which have drawn him closer to the enforcement industry. He holds an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice. Having graduated with high honors, Henry became a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. He also has the Texas Commission Law Enforcement Officers Standards Educational Achievement Award tucked under his belt.

 

From 2002 to 2006, Henry became a Certified Public Manager and successfully earned his Master of Science in Strategic Leadership with a 4.0 GPA. In addition, Henry became part of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas-Class 38. He was in the Chiefs' Leadership Training Series where he was Second in Command as well.

 

Henry takes pride in the numerous awards that recognized his work all these years. He was awarded Officer of the Year for the Galveston Police Department in 1994 and 2006, and the Commanders Coin of Excellence in 2009. The Texas Commission Law Enforcement Officers Standards Education also recognized his academic achievements.

 

Texas Governor Rick Perry granted Henry's Gubernatorial re-appointment as part of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports and the Crime Victims Advisory Council. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution also awarded him a Bronze Medal for Good Citizenship and a Law Enforcement Commendation Medal-Outstanding Achievement. His other awards include the Public Service Award, Award for Innovation in Human Resources Management, and Award of Excellence in Public Safety and the Leadership Fellow Award, and the Unsung Hero Award. Henry received a Letter of Commendation from the City of Mathis, which recognized his success in "creating the change" that the police department needed.