On June 30, 1925, in Hennings, Tennessee, a son was born to the union of the late Preston Warren, Sr. and the late Jannie L. Clora Warren. Chief Warren’s desire to help other and his commitment to expanding justice and equality led him to amass more than 40 years experience in law enforcement and the administration of justice arena. Recently, he was the Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service-Region VII, which covers the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, and was responsible for managing crisis response within the region. He analyzed the level of racial tension and service delivery requirements and advised the National Director of the agency accordingly.
On joining the agency in 1984, prior to assuming his position as Regional Director of Region VII, Community Relations Service with the US Department of Justice in Kansas City, MO, he served as the CRS expert in the field of police relations. There, he provided advice and guidance to CRS specialists working to solve problems and tensions arising in police departments. In that position he also served as an expert consultant to community groups and officials to help them become more knowledgeable concerning intergroup tensions arising from race and other factors.
From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Warren served as Chief of Police of the City of Gainesville, FL, His familiarity with Gainesville’s law enforcement community led to his being called upon to assist in resolving race relations issues within the Gainesville Police Department while in his capacity as Regional Director. These efforts achieved a plaque awarded to the City of Gainesville by the Justice Department in 2000 for their outstanding efforts in resolving the racial problems and restoring a partnership with the community.
Prior to his serving as police chief in Gainesville, Mr. Warren was employed by the Metropolitan Police Department of St. Louis, MO. He began his Police career as a patrol officer, working in virtually all operational areas and rising through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Bureau of Inspections, where he supervised and developed the rules mid regulations of discipline. Mr. Warren was also in charge of the Internal Affairs Division, the Inspection and Evaluation Division, the Watchman Division and administered the standard operating procedures for the St. Louis Police Department. While in this position he gained the support of the NAACP by changing the way the police department responded to the African-American Community, making the relationship more respectful.
Mr. Warren served in the US Coast Guard and then received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology as well as a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. He held membership in numerous professional organizations: The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), of which he was a founding member and served as president from 1981-82; and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP),
In 2002 after his retirement he established Atkins Warren and Associates, a consulting firm through which he continued to provide police chiefs and CEOs throughout the United States and Europe with methods to resolve and prevent racial conflict in their respective agencies and communities.
On Saturday August 7, 2010, Chief Warren was called by God from Earth into eternity. His gentle face and patient smile, along with many fond memories, will be cherished by a host of family members, friends and professional associates. His children born to his union with the late Mrs. Olivette Warren, John Warren (Cheryl), Antoinette Williams (Major), and Carlotta Stringfellow, all of Oakland, CA; his step-son, Scott Parker, Los Angeles, CA; his brothers, Preston Warren, Jr. (Flora Ann), Jerry Warren (Carol), and James Warren (Wilma), all of St. Louis, MO; his sisters, Mary Warren and Joanne Byrd (Richard), both of St., Louis, MO and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday October 9, 12pm, at Central Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO.