Charles Husted is a retired Chief of Police from the Sedona Police Department. Before relocating to the City of Sedona, Charles retired as a Captain from the Sacramento Police Department after serving in his hometown for 31 years. He serves as the Director of Policing & Engagement for a national training and consulting company, Panthera7.
Additionally, in 2021, he was brought on as an Adjunct Administration of Justice Professor at Yavapai College, teaching courses in Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, and Corrections. Charles has become a certified American Heart Association Basic Life Support and HSI First Aid & CPR trainer because of his passion for helping others and making a positive difference in our society. He is a motivated and experienced leader with a heart for supporting and serving others.
Charles spent his thirty-four-year public safety career focused on community policing, collaborative problem solving, building strong partnerships, growing as a leader, and serving others. Early in his career, he learned that truly effective and sustainable outcomes don’t occur without working closely with the community, building trust, and being purposeful about involving stakeholders. He’s created, led, and participated in many working groups to identify and implement solutions using a systematic problem-solving model. Charles understands that innovation and idea generation comes from creating an environment where others are welcomed and feel safe to participate.
Charles was honored to lead various high-performing specialty teams: Gang Unit Investigations, School Resource Officers, and the Outreach & Engagement Unit. As an ancillary duty at the Sacramento Police Department, Charles also had the privilege of serving as a Crisis Negotiation Team Commander.
In addition to his years in executive management, Charles enhanced his professional skills and expertise through his training and experiences as a homicide and internal affairs investigator. He has a considerable background in investigating misconduct allegations against department personnel, including claims regarding severe criminal and other serious offenses. Additionally, he has managed and investigated numerous use of force, deadly force, and death in custody incidents.
Charles received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Organization Leadership, Management, and Communication from Corban University and is a master’s candidate in Organizational Leadership from American Public University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, the Senior Management Institute for Police executive leadership program, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Command Course. Charles has also completed Arizona State University’s Problem-Oriented Policing Leadership and Management program and California POST’s Executive Development Course. Charles received POST certifications in both California and Arizona, including being awarded his California POST Management certification in 2015.
Charles also has a broad training background in leadership, executive development, and bias awareness. He was selected and served as a national trainer for Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy at the U.S. Department of Justice, COPS Office. Through education, experience, and training, Charles developed expertise in training and facilitating groups on many additional significant topics, including Kouzes & Posner’s “The Leadership Challenge,” Implicit Bias Awareness, Diversity & Racial Profiling, Police K-9 Program Management, COPS Office Safe Schools, Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools, and National Incident Management System.