Melvin D. Powell
- Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Public Safety and Homeland Security
- MDPowell@co.pg.md.us
- Office of the County Executive
Melvin D. Powell is the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Public Safety and Homeland Security for Prince George’s County, Maryland. In this role he oversees coordination among the county’s public safety agencies — including the Police Department, Fire/EMS, Department of Corrections, and Homeland Security — and serves as a key liaison with the Office of the Sheriff and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
A career law enforcement professional, Powell retired as a Deputy Chief from the Prince George’s County Police Department after more than 25 years of service. His public-sector experience is complemented by roles with federal agencies, including service with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He has held senior operational and strategic leadership positions responsible for multi-agency communications and response planning.
Outside government, Powell is a founding partner and serves as President of TETRAD Protective Solutions, a security and investigations firm that provides background investigations, training, and management-consulting services. The firm highlights his law enforcement background, Top-Secret clearance, and expertise in protective/security services and training.
Powell is known for bridging operational law-enforcement experience with executive public-safety management — bringing tactical knowledge, interagency coordination skills, and emergency-management familiarity to county leadership and private-sector security solutions.
DCAO Powell holds a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University, a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and an Associates degree from Prince George’s Community College. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran.