Michael Dirden began his public service career in 1985 as an officer with the Houston, Texas Police Department (HPD) and served there for three decades in progressive ranks including Executive Assistant Chief of Police and Attorney. During his tenure Michael was instrumental in establishing collaborative accountability protocols for force and internal investigations with the City of Houston Citizen’s Review Committee and the HPD while leading the Internal Investigations Command and serving as Inspector General for the City of Houston. Michael also led the Professional Standards and Criminal Investigations Command.

Michael has worked with the United States Department of Justice, the United States Office of Community Oriented Policing, and the California Department of Justice as a subject matter expert addressing internal affairs and accountability, use of force and officer-involved shootings, and leadership.

He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the South Texas College of Law, a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the Sam Houston State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Texas – Austin. Michael is an active member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).