Jeff Spivey – MMHPI – Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Jeff Spivey

Executive Director of the Caruth Police Institute and Senior Fellow of Law Enforcement Policy

Jeff  provides executive leadership and strategic management of the Caruth Police Institute and its growing portfolio of projects. He works closely with the Institute’s Health and Public Safety team to contribute across the Institute providing subject matter expertise advancing our multifaceted law enforcement and first responder projects focused on mental health alternative and augmented emergency response, first responder health and wellness, peer networks, and more.

Jeff began his career with the Irving Police Department in 1986 as a Public Service Officer and worked his way through the ranks serving or supervising in all areas of the department. He was appointed Chief of Police in March of 2017 and led the department until his retirement in January of 2022. During his tenure, Jeff enhanced community outreach through the nationally recognized ShopTalk program, implemented peer support services, formed a mental health response unit, led a departmental reorganization and increased personnel by 12%.

Jeff has received a number of awards and recognitions during his police service: The Golden Apple from the Irving Independent School District, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year from the NAACP, Civil Servant of the Year from Keep Irving Beautiful, the Trailblazer of the Year Award from the Caruth Police Institute, and the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award from the Irving/Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University. He is a graduate of the 252nd Session of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College at Sam Houston State University. He served as the Chair for the Caruth Police Institute Executive Advisory Board; was Treasurer on the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Board of Directors; was Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Midsize Agencies Division Executive Committee; co-chairs Pathways to Hope Advisory Board, a reentry/diversion program through One CommunityUSA™; and is a board member of Brighter Tomorrows, an organization empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Jeff Spivey