Deputy Chief of Police

Deputy Chief Keith Howard joined the Swansea Police Department in 2007 after serving five years in the United States Marine Corps, including a deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Upon joining the department in 2007, Howard was assigned to the patrol division for approximately two years. From 2009 to 2012, Howard was selected to represent the department in the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI) as an undercover narcotics detective. After completing three years in MEGSI, Howard returned to the department in the patrol division for approximately one year.

Howard was chosen to become a detective in 2014, where he was also a member of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.  In August 2014, Howard was promoted to Sergeant, rejoining the patrol division as a shift supervisor until he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police in November 2022.

During his tenure at the department, Deputy Chief Howard served as the departmental Range Master.   Howard is a state-certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, and Taser instructor. Howard is the Range Master for the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy and a Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) firearms instructor. Howard is a Colt and Springfield Armory certified 1911 armorer, AR-15/M-16 armorer, Springfield Armory armorer for XD(s) and P320, Smith and Wesson armorer, and a Glock armorer. Howard is a certified active shooter instructor, a Simunitions instructor, a Reality-Based Use of Force Instructor, a Force Science De-escalation Instructor, and a Field Training Officer (FTO).

Deputy Chief Howard has a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Lindenwood University, a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Lindenwood College, and an A.A.S. degree in Administration of Justice from Southwestern Illinois College. Deputy Chief Howard has completed the Illinois Law Enforcement and Training Board Executive Institute for Police Mid-Management Role in the 21^st Century. Deputy Chief Howard graduated from Northwestern Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command (Class 515). Deputy Chief Howard attended the FBI National Academy, Session 292, in Quantico, VA, and served as a section leader.