Episode 9: COL (Ret.) William M. Pallozzi '88
Colonel (Ret.) William M. Pallozzi, North Georgia College Class of 1988, was appointed Secretary of the Maryland Department of State Police and Superintendent of the Maryland State Police by Governor Larry Hogan in February of 2015. In this role, he was responsible for the operations of the Maryland State Police, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. The Maryland Department of State Police has over 2600 employees and an operating budget of $500 million dollars.
After graduation from college and active duty service in the United States Army, Colonel Pallozzi joined the State Police in July 1989. He served in line and supervisory positions in both the patrol and investigation bureaus. In August of 2000, he was appointed commander of the Executive Protection Division. Four years later, he was appointed as the Chief of Staff, Office of the Superintendent, a position he held during the administrations of two Superintendents. In 2008, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed as Chief of the Support Services Bureau. In 2010, he was appointed Chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, before being reappointed to lead the Support Services Bureau in 2013. He served in that position until his retirement on January 1, 2015, as the senior sworn career member of the Maryland State Police.
Upon his appointment as Superintendent, Colonel Pallozzi has served in every rank in the Maryland State Police. He is the 19th Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, but he is only the 3rd Superintendent to have held every rank in the department.
While serving in the Maryland State Police, Colonel Pallozzi continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserves as an officer in the 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Individual Ready Reserves. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 2003.
Having retired in March of 2020 as the Superintendent, Colonel Pallozzi now serves as Vice President and Chief Security Officer for MedStar Health, one of the largest, integrated health systems serving Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region. As the $6 billion healthcare system’s first Chief Security Officer, Colonel Pallozzi is responsible for establishing oversight and coordination of Security operations across the organization, which includes 10 hospitals and more than 300 care sites. His role includes implementing strategic safety and security initiatives designed to protect the safety of patients, their families and more than 30,000 associates.
Colonel Pallozzi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the North Georgia College. He has a Master of Science degree in management and leadership from the Johns Hopkins University and is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Program at Hopkins. Additionally, he is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute, and the General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. Colonel Pallozzi continues to serve as a guest lecturer on law enforcement leadership and crisis management at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
William is married to Colleen and they have three daughters, Anna, Megan and Lauren.