Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Chief Jim Johnson began his career with the Baltimore County Police Department in 1979 as a cadet in the 911 Center and served in every sworn rank in the department before being named Chief of Police in June 2007. Chief Johnson holds memberships in several professional organizations, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA). He is MCCA’s representative to and Chair of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence (the Partnership), a coalition of nine national law enforcement leadership organizations. Chief Johnson works daily in his own jurisdiction to reduce incidents of gun violence and make his community safer. A highly respected leader in his state and at the national level, Chief Johnson is an active voice for law enforcement on the policies and practices that will help reduce gun violence. A gun owner and hunter, Chief Johnson has been an effective advocate for sensible policies that protect the rights of law abiding gun owners while keeping guns out of dangerous hands and excessive firepower off our streets. In 2013, Chief Johnson testified before Congress in support of expanding background checks to all purchasers, and was instrumental in changing Maryland’s law prohibiting assault weapons and limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines. He holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore.