Daniel McDonald, MPA, is a 29-year veteran of law enforcement and corrections. He founded the Tampa Police Department Homeless Initiative in 2012 to address the needs of the chronically homeless. He also founded the TPD Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) in 2015 to better resolve calls for service involving those in crisis.
Mr. McDonald has assisted hundreds of clients enter temporary, transitional, or permanent housing, and has participated in community collaborations that have slashed street homelessness by 48% in a three-year period. His unorthodox problem-solving methods have yielded a $500,000 inheritance for one client, recovery of over $42,000 in a lost bank account for another, and a fairytale $20,000 wedding for a formerly homeless couple that could not afford $93 for a marriage license.
His innovative homelessness solutions have received global acclaim. His work has been covered by The Today Show, BBC Radio 5, Inside Edition, People Magazine, and media outlets worldwide.
Mr. McDonald has received several awards including the Tampa Police Department Officer of the Month, the Housing & Education Alliance Community Hero award as well as commendations from the Hillsborough County (Florida) Commission and Tampa (Florida) City Council. In May 2018, he was awarded a Public Service Exemplar by the Suncoast Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA).
A native of Stockport, England, Mr. McDonald was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Geography from Boston University. He has also earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of South Florida where he was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha honor society which recognizes the highest academic achievement of each graduating class.
Mr. McDonald is an in-demand speaker on homelessness. He delivered the keynote address at the 2017 Housing and Ideas Exchange in Manchester, England, and has also presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and National Sheriffs’ Association annual conferences. He recently retired from a lifetime of public service and now consults for communities and police agencies to develop effective homeless solutions. He also serves on the board of directors for Northside Behavioral Health Center, the Housing and Education Alliance and the Tampa Amateur Radio Club (TARC).
