Deanna Cantrell brings 28 years of municipal government passion and experience to Bob Murray & Associates as an executive recruiter. Deanna is recognized as a prominent driver of public safety leadership, innovative and evidence-based problem solving, advancing trust and community building, and developing leaders. She has a proven record for exceptional communication, talented public speaking, forward thinking policing, strategic planning, staff development, mentoring, and coaching.
Deanna was the Chief of Police for the City of Fairfield, California for over two years. Prior to that, Deanna served almost five years as the Chief of Police in San Luis Obispo (SLO) California, and over 21 years with the Mesa, Arizona Police Department where she moved through the ranks from Officer to Assistant Chief.
Deanna has built a deep-rooted history of building trust with the community, improving employee health and wellness, and advancing meaningful police transformation. Deanna has developed numerous testing processes, has assisted in over 20 executive recruitments, and is gifted in mentoring, coaching and recognizing and developing talent. She served for four years as the Co-Chair for the California Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE) and is the WLLE Foundation Board President, also chairing the mentoring committee. Deanna served for six years on the California Police Chiefs Association Board. She is currently an Executive Fellow for the National Policing Institute and is on the Board for Police2Peace. In 2018 Deanna was selected as the 24th District, California Congressional Woman of the year, and in 2022, Women Leaders in Law Enforcement established the Deanna Cantrell Exceptional Leadership award.
Deanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. She has an Executive Development Certificate from CA POST, teaches Advancing Ethical Leadership for CA POST through Cal State Long Beach, and is a graduate of Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School where she is also an adjunct faculty member, teaching policy, executive image, strategic planning, internal conflict.
Deanna enjoys the arts, playing the guitar, golfing, and growing future leaders.
