Dr. Frank Straub is the Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs at Safe and Sound Schools, the Co-Director of the Michigan State University/Safe and Sound Schools’ Protect 2 Prevent: The Adolescent Targeted Violence Prevention Project, and an Adjunct Professor in MSU’s Department of Psychiatry.

Previously, Dr. Straub served as the founder and director of the National Policing Institute’s Center for Targeted Violence Prevention. Dr. Straub led in-depth studies of several high-profile targeted violence events to include the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Pulse night shooting, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. He created and led the national Averted School Violence database; and consulted with government and non-government organizations regarding school violence, extremism, and terrorism prevention. He has also led national efforts to improve law enforcement crisis intervention strategies and public safety employee mental health.

Dr. Straub served for over 30-years in federal, state, and local law enforcement. He led law enforcement/public safety agencies in New York, Indiana, and the State of Washington. He was the New York City Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Training and Assistant Commissioner for Counterterrorism. He received national recognition for his work to prevent youth violence, strengthen police-community relations, and improve the police response to persons challenged by mental illness.

Dr. Straub has served on U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security school safety and threat assessment working groups. He currently serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Mass Violence Advisory Initiative, the Oakland County (MI) Gun Violence Commission, and the Summit Pointe (Calhoun County (MI) Community Mental Health Authority) Board of Directors.

Dr. Straub holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Forensic Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. He speaks regularly at national and international conferences, has participated in numerous Congressional and White House briefings, and is a frequently invited commentator and analyst for national and international media outlets.