Rick Minerd

Background

About Rick Minerd

I serve as Chief Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, bringing more than 34 years of public safety and law enforcement experience to executive leadership, operations, and organizational development. I oversee a wide range of training initiatives and leadership development for sworn and civilian personnel, while serving as a member of the executive team responsible for guiding operations and stewardship of a nearly $220M annual safety services budget. In this role, I work closely with public- and private-sector partners, elected officials, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate complex operations, strengthen interagency collaboration, and advance shared public-safety objectives. I hold an active security clearance, supporting work in sensitive, high-trust operational environments. My leadership approach emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and building high-performing teams capable of operating effectively in complex and high-risk settings. I am also an adjunct faculty instructor and professor at Franklin University, where I teach undergraduate criminal justice courses and mentor the next generation of public-safety professionals.In addition to my public-sector role, I serve as a Business Development Manager with Safe Passage Consulting, LLC, where I leverage real-world experience in emergency management, tactical operations, investigations, and protective services to help clients strengthen their safety posture. My work focuses on emergency action plan development, executive and dignitary protection planning, and vulnerability and risk assessments tailored to organizational environments, special events, and critical infrastructure. Through a practical, intelligence-informed approach, I help clients identify gaps, reduce risk, and build resilient, response-ready organizations.