Robert J. Contee III

Robert J. Contee III most recently served as the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Office of Partner Engagement (OPE). As OPE’s leader, Mr. Contee managed the FBI’s efforts to build and strengthen relationships and information sharing with law enforcement partners nationwide — efforts critical to protecting the American people. He engaged with executives from more than 25 national and international law enforcement associations, U.S. fusion centers, and federal, state, local, and tribal partners across the country.

Prior to his role with the FBI, Mr. Contee served as chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C., the sixth-largest municipal police department in the country, leading over 4,000 sworn members and professional staff.

Mr. Contee began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a police cadet with the Metropolitan Police Department. Over more than three decades, he rose through every rank in the department, serving in a wide range of operational and executive leadership roles. From 2004 to 2018, he led the Violent Crimes Branch as captain, commanded multiple patrol districts and the Special Operations Division, and later served as assistant chief of the Professional Development Bureau, Patrol Services South, and the Investigative Services Bureau. In December 2020, he was appointed chief of police.

Mr. Contee is a highly decorated law enforcement executive. Among numerous honors, he received the 2022 Congressional Gold Medal, the 2022 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the 2021 Law Enforcement Leader of the Year Award from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation.

Mr. Contee earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Police Science from The George Washington University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Safety degree at the University of Virginia. He also completed the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police at the Police Executive Research Forum.