Victor M. Manjarrez, Jr. is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Director of the Intelligence Program at Michigan State University. His expertise is in the areas of border security, homeland security enterprise, and law enforcement intelligence and counterterrorism.
Dr. Victor Manjarrez, Jr. served for more than 20 years in the United States Border Patrol and filled key operational roles both in the field and at Headquarters over the course of his extensive homeland security career. Many of his innovative border security methods and ideas are still the basic cornerstones for the U.S. Border Patrol that are still being utilized today. Throughout Dr. Manjarrez’ career in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) he had been tasked with some of the most arduous jobs that the U.S. Border Patrol had to offer because of his skills in developing complex, efficient, and comprehensive border security programs. Due to his subject matter expertise in developing complex and innovative homeland security practices he was consistently recognized as one of DHS’ most dynamic and innovative operational leaders.
Most recently in government, Mr. Manjarrez served in the Senior Executive Service (SES) as the Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector, the nation’s most dynamic, complex, and challenging sector and was named the lead Federal official in Arizona by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. In this capacity Mr. Manjarrez was responsible for over 4,500 employees and an annual budget of over $500 million dollars. Due to his leadership and innovative methods he was able to significantly reduce illegal border activity, resulting in reductions in local crime rates and violence, and improving the quality of life to the residents of southern Arizona. During his time in command as the executive officer of the sector he conducted operational briefings to senior level foreign and United States federal officials to include members of Congress. Earlier in his Border Patrol career, Mr. Manjarrez held numerous managerial and supervisory posts at headquarters and in other Border Patrol sectors across the country.
Prior to serving as Chief Patrol Agent of Tucson Sector, Mr. Manjarrez served as Chief Patrol Agent in El Paso Sector; another of the U.S. Border Patrol’s most challenging sectors. In 2009, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed Mr. Manjarrez as the Acting Director of Counter-narcotics Enforcement (CNE), where he was the primary policy advisor to the Secretary for Department-wide counter-narcotics issues and responsible for leading DHS in their efforts to monitor and combat illegal drug trafficking and international narco-terrorism.
Dr. Manjarrez is also a graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.