Police Captain
Stamford Police
Stamford, CT
Lieutenant Douglas Deiso is a seasoned law enforcement executive with nearly three decades of public safety experience spanning the New York City Department of Correction and the Stamford Police Department. He began his career with the NYC Department of Correction, rising through the ranks to Captain while serving in the Emergency Service Unit, Intelligence Division, and Executive Protection Detail before managing large-scale operations and a seven-figure budget.
Since joining the Stamford Police Department in 2005, Lt. Deiso has served in patrol, narcotics, organized crime, K-9, and command assignments. He currently commands the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, overseeing major crimes, high-profile investigations, and multi-agency operations. He also serves as the department's Public Information Officer and commands the PEER Unit and Honor Guard.
Lt. Deiso is a Region 1 ASHER instructor, specializing in patrol and command response during the first 15–30 minutes of integrated critical incident operations. He is also a principal designer and facilitator of Stamford's semiannual tabletop exercises, bringing together local, regional, state, and federal partners to strengthen emergency preparedness.
A 17-year Honor Guard member and academy instructor, Lt. Deiso holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Supervision and Management and is completing a master's degree in Criminal Justice Critical Incident Management.
Special events—concerts, 5Ks, parades, and large public gatherings—place unique demands on emergency services. While many events are routine and uneventful, they can quickly become disorganized and stretch resources beyond normal operations. This session explores how one community transformed its approach to special event planning by building a dedicated, cross-functional team that integrates public safety, operations, and community stakeholders from the earliest planning stages.
EMS Deputy Chief Bill Ackley, alongside Police Captain Doug Deiso, will discuss how their team was developed and the key elements that brought it all together—from standardized planning protocols and risk assessment frameworks to interagency coordination practices designed specifically for special event environments. Attendees will learn how these processes strengthened not only event-specific outcomes, but also enhanced day-to-day operational readiness.
Participants will leave with practical tools and lessons learned for building their own integrated special event planning teams, along with strategies for translating event-planning discipline into lasting improvements in daily operations and community resilience.
