Dr. Kenneth Christopher
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Park University
Topic: Small Vessel Threats on Inland Ports and Waterways
Dr. Christopher teaches Security, Terrorism, Agency Administration, and other Criminal Justice courses at Park University, in Parkville, MO. He has worked with the US Maritime Administration and the Organization of American States as a curriculum developer and instructor in the Inter-American Port Security Training Programs in Barbados and Jamaica. He is the author of the 2009 book, Port Security Management, published by CRC Press. He has developed training programs in Seaport Security Awareness and Port Access Controls for the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute, St. Petersburg, FL. Dr. Christopher completed his Doctorate in Public Administration at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Dr. Christopher was formerly Chief of Seaport Security Enforcement and Facility Security Officer for the Port of Miami, the largest passenger cruise port in the world. He had a 26-year police career and retired as Captain with the Miami-Dade Police Department. He managed both police and security operations while assigned to the Port of Miami from 1996-2005; and has managed police and security operations for numerous port-related special events, including television and film productions, visiting dignitaries, military vessel port calls, cruise ship inaugurals, and mixed use commercial events, including Op-Sail Miami 2000, a festival of tall ships at the Port of Miami.