Senior Law Enforcement and military executive with over thirty-one years (31) of law enforcement field experience as a Police Officer; County Detective, Military Police Officer and Federal Agent. Former leadership experience as the Human Resource Recruitment Coordinator for DEA New Jersey Division. Extensive established networks throughout law enforcement and military communities, universities and colleges, social media, private sector industries, unions, organizations and non-profit groups for recruiting campaigns.
He was a subject matter expert in Diversity Recruitment and Hiring, EEO & Affirmative Action, Strategic Planning, Operations Management, State, County, and Federal Law Enforcement Investigations, Military Operations, and Global & Physical Security.
Biography
Anthony P. Jennings is a Senior Law Enforcement and Military Advisory Executive with over 30 years of experience in strategic leadership and planning supporting a diverse and inclusive full-cycle recruitment to increase workplace statistics.
As the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Staff Coordinator/Supervisory Special Agent, he was responsible for supervision of Personnel Security Specialists/Unit Chiefs overseeing the Suitability/Adjudication process for Top Secret Security Clearances relative to all new Core Series DEA employees, contractor’s and PATCO civilian personnel. Anthony also sat on all HR Hiring Panels for all positions throughout DEA at the Suitability Section (Office of Security Programs).
He was a subject matter expert in Diversity Recruitment and Hiring, EEO & Affirmative Action, Strategic Planning, Operations Management, State, County, and Federal Law Enforcement Investigations, Military Operations, and Global & Physical Security.
Mr. Jennings is a strategic and innovative Diversity, Equity and Inclusion [DE&I] leader, dedicated EEO/Affirmative Action Professional, and Decorated Disabled Military Veteran Executive, skilled in training and development.
In a 9 year period, Mr. Jennings hired over 175 Special Agents with a total 56% of diverse cultural backgrounds, including women. He also coordinated and executed the State of New Jersey college internship program where over 250 interns of diverse cultural backgrounds were hired and placed in various departments.
He also developed an advanced recruitment model which is utilized in all 50 states to increase the diversity rates across the nation. Anthony recently advised the HR Recruitment D&I Hiring Model to all senior executive staff including the DEA Administrator.
In 2020, Anthony was selected by the DEA Administrator to be a member of the DEA Leadership Executive Diversity Board Committee at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, VA. He was also featured as “cover story” for the Inaugural EEO Express Newsletter for promoting diversity and inclusion and was the Keynote Speaker for the Department of Homeland Security 2020 (Customs & Border Protection Newark, NJ).
Senior Law Enforcement and military executive with over thirty-one years (31) of law enforcement field experience as a Police Officer; County Detective, Military Police Officer and Federal Agent. Former leadership experience as the Human Resource Recruitment Coordinator for DEA New Jersey Division. Extensive established networks throughout law enforcement and military communities, universities and colleges, social media, private sector industries, unions, organizations and non-profit groups for recruiting campaigns.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BEST Talent Management Strategies, LLC
Senior Vice President Law Enforcement & Military Advisory Services
Manages the Law Enforcement & Military Advisory Service practice including developing and marketing leadership development and law enforcement training programs and projects for the firm.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration DEA
Special Agent HR Recruitment Coordinator - State of New Jersey
Managed the entire application process for DEA Special Agent recruitment throughout the state of New Jersey and oversaw the Voluntary College Student Internship Program for the state.
- Managed and oversaw the screening, scheduling, processing and clearing of over 1,200 applications and 300 DEA applicants per year.
- Guided a team to ensure US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Office of Personnel Management guidelines and policies, in hiring new DEA Special Agents and DEA College interns were met.
- Developed, designs and implemented strategic federal recruiting plans.
- Established various networks throughout law enforcement and military communities, universities and colleges, social media, and private sector industries, unions, organizations and non-profit groups for recruiting campaigns.
- Adhered to compliance and oversight, tracks tasking’s for the recruiting and hiring process with senior DEA leadership/HQS hiring managers to adjust and coordinate nation-wide DEA requirements and goals, to ensure effectiveness of recruiting plans and implementation.
- Hired 175 Special Agent applicants, a total of fifty-six percent (56%) minorities and females from culturally diverse backgrounds hired approximately 250 college interns, in which 25- 30 percent were females and minority college students.
- Received certification as a Diversity/Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor both the EEO Coordinator and cultural Diversity Committee Coordinator for DEA New Jersey Division. In July 2018 and 2020.
- Selected as one of eight senior leaders by DEA EEO Headquarters to lead a worldwide leadership series.
- Selected as Keynote speaker for the UNA-USA World Health Day 2021, participated in joint partnership with Rutgers University United Nations Master’s Political Science Program.
- Voted the “Top Recruiter” by DEA Headquarters’ Nationwide out of all 23 Field Divisions and received outstanding performance award by DEA Acting Administrator.
- Received the Equal Employment Employee Award from the NJ Federal Law Enforcement Executive Board.
- Mentored and provided guidance to elementary, high school and college students from Newark, NJ and other urban cities in NJ; on how to thrive through adversity and ultimately becoming successful in life.
- Invited to be “the "keynote speaker" at the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port of New York/Newark Black History Month Celebration Program. In May 2020 and was featured as the Diversity/Inclusion "cover story " for inaugural nationwide ‘EEO Express Newsletter by DEA Headquarters.'
- Completed a successful Recruitment Hiring Model on Diversity and Inclusion that was briefed to all Senior Executive Service staff and the Acting Administrator Drug Enforcement Administration /US Department of Justice in October 2020.
- Selected as a member of the Diversity Executive Leadership Board in Washington DC.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration DEA (Special Agent)
- Became the first member from the US NJ Drug Enforcement Administration to serve as a Squad Coordinator at Top Gun which is a state certified law enforcement course by NJ Attorney General's Office (Investigating and Prosecuting Gangs, Drug cases).
United States Army Military Police Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel / former Battalion Commander
- Provided criminal investigative support to the military communities of Fort Bragg, Fort Eustis, Fort Gordon, Fort Jackson, and Fort Lee throughout 4 states and 310 counties.
Led a HQS and six geographically dispersed subordinate units.
- Ensured the safety, health, welfare, morale, training and readiness of all soldiers and civilian employees.
- Supervised the conduct of felony criminal investigations, logistical security operation and protective services.
- Provided updates to senior Army leadership concerning significant criminal cases throughout the battalion AOR. Conducted liaison with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies.
- Served as Military Police Commander in Charge of 100 Military Police (MP) personnel providing Force Protection and law enforcement operations throughout Fort Dix and McGuire AFB, New Jersey in support of "Operation Noble Eagle.”
- Performed staff time as a Major, at the Pentagon, HQ’s Dept. of Army; and authored Appendix L Installation Readiness status reporting Army Regulation 220-1.
- Commanded over 500 soldiers, civilians and DOD personnelin his military career.
- Received over 25 different Military Awards, Service medals, and commendations.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science Degree - Criminal Justice Eastern Michigan University - Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice - New Mexico Military Institute
- Military Police Officer Basic & Advance Course - The Army Combined Services Staff School Graduate - Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS