Chief Morale and Retention Officer, National Command and Staff College
With over 29 years of combined military and public safety service—including a 26-year career with the Oklahoma City Police Department—Ryan Boxwell is a nationally respected leader in officer morale, retention, and organizational leadership. As the Chief Morale and Retention Officer at the National Command and Staff College, he brings decades of experience across patrol, administration, recruiting, and training.
Throughout his career, Ryan led numerous high-impact initiatives focused on officer wellness, efficiency, transparency, and leadership development. He played a pivotal role in launching the department’s first formal leadership program, implementing body-worn cameras, and guiding recruiting and training efforts through the challenges of COVID-19 and civil unrest. His work has consistently prioritized trust, procedural justice, and operational excellence.
Ryan has held leadership roles in every bureau of the department and is known for building strong, values-driven teams rooted in purpose, accountability, and mutual respect. A champion of MAGNUS Leadership, he helped bring the program to every leadership tier in his department, catalyzing a culture of intentional leadership and engagement.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Responder Administration from Oklahoma State University and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (PERF). He is also a seasoned instructor, devoted husband of 28 years, father of two, and grandfather of three.