COMMANDER BENJAMIN A. KELSO

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES BRANCH

SERVING SINCE 1990

Commander Benjamin Kelso has over three decades of experience in law enforcement. He is currently the Police Commander of the Neighborhood Services Branch of the San Diego Police Department which includes, Neighborhood Policing Division, Traffic Division, and Youth & Community Services.

During his career, he has held notable positions, including serving on the Executive Board of the San Diego branch of the NAACP and as the Chapter President of the San Diego Black Police Officers Association (SDBPOA) within the National Black Police Association. He has also served in the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) San Diego chapter.

As the local chapter president of NBPA, Commander Kelso served as the organization’s intermediary with the Chief of Police, assuming direct responsibility for overseeing its operations, ensuring its success, and managing recruitment and retention, community relations, and budgetary matters.

Academically, Commander Kelso has earned graduate degrees in Liberal Studies with an organizational leadership concentration and Professional Studies with a criminal justice concentration from Fort Hays State University. Commander Kelso has also earned an undergraduate degree with summa cum laude honors, in addition to several associate degrees from Miramar College. Notably, he is an alumnus of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 283.

Commander Kelso’s proficiency spans various law enforcement areas, including patrol operations, investigations, community policing, and community engagement. He is exceptionally skilled in mentoring and cultivating high-performing work teams. Furthermore, he possesses expertise in specialized investigations, patrol assignments, and Emergency Management with the SDPD-Office of Homeland Security, Internal Affairs, and Neighborhood Policing Division. His involvement with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated on the Western Region Risk Management Team is a testament to his commitment and contribution to community engagement through various organizations.

In 2022, he was recognized as among the Top 50 San Diego Black Leaders of Influence. He has authored law enforcement-related articles on Police1 and was featured in the inaugural African-American Inclusion Employment Guide issue cover in Feb-March 2023 edition.