Debbie Manning was appointed to the position of Chief Sergeant-at-Arms in August 2014 and is the first woman to hold this important position.
Debbie first joined the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms in 1977, where she was not only the first woman, but the first African-American woman to become a Senate Sergeant. In September 1998, Debbie went on to become the first female Deputy Chief and has performed numerous and diverse assignments throughout her career.
Debbie attended the University of California, Davis where she graduated with a major in Political Science and a minor in Public Service/Administration. She is Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified through the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Academy, and attended Law Enforcement Command College. She holds POST certificates in Law Enforcement Management, Background Investigation, Domestic Violence, and Interview and Interrogation.
Debbie attended numerous International and Domestic Terrorism trainings through the Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, Los Angeles Police Department, and California Department of Corrections. She received Threat Assessment training through the Secret Service, US Capitol Security, United States Homeland Security, and New York Police Department. Further, Debbie attended Protection of Public Officials and Executive courses through the Secret service, California Highway Patrol, and California State Police. She also instructed and consulted on this course.
Debbie has worked closely with the Office of Emergency Services (OES) in emergency management and continuity of government. She also worked with the Capitol Building Emergency Plan (CBEP) to design and execute Capitol and Legislative Office Building disaster exercises.
As a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), Debbie has served as Vice President of the Northern California chapter and is a member of the National Legislative Services and Security Association (NLSSA) of the National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL). She was also appointed by the Senate to serve as a council member of the California Council on Criminal Justice from 2009-2011.
Leadership California recognized Debbie as one of California’s leading women. She graduated from Leadership California’s CIT program in 2002, and became an Executive Board member in 2005. Debbie was elected Vice President in 2007, and soon after, became President of the non-profit in 2009. She currently sits on the Executive Board of Advisory Council for Leadership California.
Debbie is extremely proud of her more than three decades of service to the Senate and the people of the State of California, and approaches her role as Chief Sergeant with strength and integrity.