Mitchell J. Brown

Mitchell J. Brown brings more than three decades of public safety experience to the Columbus Department of Public Safety.

Prior to his appointment in January 1999, he was the Director of the Ohio Lottery Commission.

From 1996-1999, Brown served as the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, overseeing 3,867 employees and a $844 million budget. He led the completion of the largest building construction project in Ohio, completing it on schedule and $16 million under budget. His accomplishments included adopting “Core Values” for the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Highway Patrol, and developing the Hilltop Educare daycare center to serve 100 children.

As Registrar for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles from 1991-1996, Brown administered a one billion-dollar biennium budget and oversaw personnel policies and labor relations for 860 employees.

Brown served as Director of the Department of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland from 1986-1989, overseeing 3,300 employees. His special response zone car program resulted in a 38 percent increase in arrests and a 17 percent increase in assignments handled. His other accomplishments include enhancing the 911 system, implementing a comprehensive management training program and upgrading the Division of Fire Hazmat unit. Under Brown’s leadership, the first police helicopter unit and canine unit were created.

From 1980-1986, Mitchell Brown served as the Commissioner for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Department of Public Safety in Cleveland. He developed and implemented the Paramedic Training Institute, created the Advanced Life Support Program and successfully managed the transition from a federally funded program to City of Cleveland program.

Mitchell J. Brown attended the Senior Executive Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 1985 and he attended the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1969. Brown, 59, lives with his family on the East Side of Columbus.