Ohio Homeland Security Director's Office

Richard Baron

Director, Ohio Homeland Security

Richard Baron, who has a total of 31 years of service in the emergency services field, was named Director of Ohio Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Advisor for Ohio in September 2011

Prior to his retirement, Baron served as a Captain in the Ohio State Highway Patrol . After 25 years of service to the Patrol Baron retired in April 2012. While in the Patrol he worked in numerous areas including Homeland Security and in the Office of Investigative Services, with primary assignments in northeast and central Ohio. He commanded investigatory and intelligence units including the Patrol's Warren District Investigations Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit and Computer Crimes Unit. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of Ohio Homeland Security's Fusion Center - the Strategic Analysis and Information Center - and was the center's first Chief of Operations.

Baron was one of the principle team members that conducted the investigation of the Lucasville Prison Riot in 1993 and has conducted numerous investigations for violent crimes, theft, fraud and computer crimes.

Prior to joining the Highway Patrol in 1987, Baron was a police officer with Hubbard Township Police Department in northeastern Ohio, and a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the city of Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Baron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public safety management and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institutes Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville, the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, the Ohio Peace Officer's Basic Training Course and the Florida Fire Academy.