NRP Superintendent Named President Of Maryland Chiefs Of Police Association

Colonel George Johnson Honored at Maryland Chiefs of Police Annual Conference

Vienna, Md. (September 16, 2009) – Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Superintendent Colonel George F. Johnson, IV, today was sworn in as President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association for the coming year. The announcement was made at the 48th Annual Conference of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association in Ocean City. Johnson is the first law enforcement official to serve as president of both the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriff’s Association.

“Johnson’s leadership within the NRP and his steadfast commitment to protecting Maryland’s environment is certainly something to celebrate,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I am happy to see Johnson recognized at this level for all his important work, and look forward to continuing to work with him to improve public safety as he assumes this new role.”

Colonel Johnson, a 38-year veteran of the Maryland law enforcement community who was named NRP Superintendent by Governor O’Malley in January 2007, began his career with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and served 12 years as the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County. Johnson is a 1996 graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute and a 1999 graduate of the FBI National Academy. Before becoming the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association’s newest president, he served as the Association’s second vice president and first vice president.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Colonel Johnson,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin. “The strong leadership he has demonstrated with the NRP will be an asset to the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.”

“I am honored to be elected by my peers, knowing that I have their trust and confidence in leading the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association,” said Colonel Johnson.

Johnson resides in Pasadena, Maryland with his wife Linda. He is the father of two sons and a daughter who also reside in Anne Arundel County.

Housed within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the NRP is responsible for enforcing conservation and public safety laws, plays a major role in Maryland’s maritime homeland security efforts and is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police with statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov