Katie Zafft, PhD

Katie Zafft, Ph.D., is a Senior Program Manager II at the National Policing Institute, where she leads the Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab—a federally funded initiative focused on equipping public safety professionals with evidence-based practices, training, and technical assistance. Since joining NPI in November 2024, Dr. Zafft has worked to ensure that law enforcement personnel have access to the tools, knowledge, and support they need to serve their communities effectively and safely.

Prior to NPI, Dr. Zafft managed the policing and evaluation portfolio at the Crime and Justice Institute. In that role, she partnered with law enforcement agencies across the country to implement both mandated reforms and self-directed innovations, always with a focus on improving outcomes for officers and the communities they protect. Her work emphasized practical, sustainable change and direct support for frontline personnel and leadership.

Dr. Zafft holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.