Chris Cowan is recognized internationally for his vast network of private and public partnerships and his expansive policing knowledge, from 29 years in law enforcement.   Chris’ extensive experience leading special operations, homeland security, crime suppression, professional development, community policing, media relations and business and community crime prevention units has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to be a guardian to our communities.   He has also served as a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Public Information Officer, Commander of Special Weapons and Tactics Units and Commander of Community Policing Units.  This experience has provided Chris with a unique perspective on mitigating challenges to corporate and community quality of life issues because it has been paralleled with 22 years in corporate security, risk management and professional development.   His passion is holistic policing strategies to provide stability to all citizens, and protect the vulnerable, through programs that create religious, business and neighborhood crime prevention. 

Commissioned a United States Naval Officer; he secured his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  He has also earned a Masters Certificate from the Australian Institute of Police Management.  Chris is a graduate of the South Carolina Executive Institute, the FBI National Academy, the FBI Command College and the FBI Hazardous Devices School Executive Management Program.   He has over 19 years of leadership experience in the fields of administration, human capital, crisis management, strategic planning, tactical operations, homeland security, community policing and local and state government affairs.

Mr. Cowan has worked internationally with the London Metropolitan Police, the Staffordshire England Police, Queensland Police Service, Australia, The Australia Federal Police, Hong Kong Police, Bulgarian Police Service and Rheinland Polizei, and nationally with the Los Angeles Police Department, New York Police Department and the North Carolina Justice Academy for the purpose of developing policing programs and initiatives.  He works with local, state and federal partners in South Carolina and across the globe in developing law enforcement, professional development and community based initiatives.

He was chosen in July 2011 to be The International Visiting Fellow to Queensland Australia to work with the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Federal Police, Australian Defense Force, Hong Kong, Shanghi China Police Service and Maldives Police Service as an instructor in Leadership Development and Strategic Management.   He also worked with the QPS, in 2013, during the G20 International Leaders Conference in the area of incident management, special operations command and critical incident management. 

Chris has held several statewide leadership roles in South Carolina ranging from President of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, President of the Blythewood Rotary Club to Chairperson for Crimestoppers of the Midlands spanning 56 law enforcement jurisdictions and charter member of the South Carolina Crimestoppers Council.   As a practitioner in public safety, Mr. Cowan has been awarded the South Carolina Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the year, two times received the Southeastern Crimestoppers Coordinator of the Year award,  two time Rotarian of the Year award recipient and The American Lawman Magazine Officer of the Quarter. 

Mr. Cowan has worked internationally with the Eastern European FBI National Academy Associates teaching professional and leadership development in Bulgaria in 2019.   Chris partnered with 200 Eastern European law enforcement executives from across Europe, United Kingdom, Middle East and Eastern Europe. 

He presently serves as the Jim Hudson Automotive Group Director of Professional Development.  The #1 automotive group in South Carolina and multimillion dollar automotive company with 750 employees, Chris works directly with the executive team and is responsible for launching and implementing their executive and mid-level management professional development program. 

From April 2020 to June 2021 he took command of corporate security for Celeros Flow Technologies; a Charlotte based international power and Energy Corporation with assets in North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.  His responsibilities encompassed establishing a travel safety and risk mitigation program for 1700 employees and asset protection; for this newly divested company. 

During is career he has earned the following awards and accolades:

·         2012, 2017 Rotarian of the Year

·         2014 Queensland Police Service G20 Visiting Fellow

·         2011 Queensland Australia International Visiting Fellow

·         2008 FBI National Academy Graduate, 235^th Session

·         2006 Southeastern Crimestoppers  Association’s Coordinator of the Year

·         2006 South Carolina Association of Crime Prevention Officers Coalition of the Year Coordinator

·         2004 Southeastern Crimestoppers Association’s Coordinator of the Year

·         2003 South Carolina Association of Crime Prevention Officer’s Coalition and Volunteer Program of the Year, Coordinator

·         2001 National Citizens Academy Association Program of the Year, Coordinator

·         2001 Spring Valley Rotary Community Service Award

·         2001 Rotary International, District 7770, Group Study Exchange Team-member to England

·         2000 American Lawman Magazine’s Officer of the Quarter

·         2000 Blythewood Rotary Community Service Award

·         1999 South Carolina Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

On October 1, 2021 he became the Police Chief for the City of Cayce, South Carolina.   His passion is outcome based policing, partnerships in public safety and compassion for all communities.   He lives in Cayce, SC with his wife of 26 years and 19 year-old son; his 23 year-old daughter currently works in Tennessee.  He is a member of Blythewood Presbyterian Church, a Master Mason and a member of the Board of Directors for the Austin Wilkes Society, and a Class D licensed soccer coach.