Randy retired from the Ogden Police Department, Ogden, Utah, in October of 2011, where he was serving as Assistant Chief of Police, and where he had served for 32-years, having worked a multitude of assignments and at all levels of supervision and leadership. Chief Watt is a recipient of various medals and commendations, including the department’s Medal of Valor (twice awarded). Chief Watt has extensive experience in tactical operations, ranging from high-risk warrant service to hostage rescues.
Chief Watt is a nationally recognized expert in the field of law enforcement special operations and counter-terrorism. He is an advisor to the Technical Support Working Group (T.S.W.G.), Office of Combating Terrorism, in Washington, D.C. He is a lead instructor for the National Tactical Officers Association (N.T.O.A.) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (I.A.C.P.) in a variety of S.W.A.T., Leadership, and Terrorism courses. Chief Watt is the year 2000 recipient of the N.T.O.A.’s John A. Kolman Award of Excellence. He is a regular presenter at the N.T.O.A. Conference, as well as at numerous state association conferences and other training events. Prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, then Lieutenant Watt was co-chair of the Tactical Response Sub-Committee and spent four years studying terrorism and writing the tactical response plan for protection of the Olympic Games. Chief Watt has taught hostage rescue tactics and techniques to foreign military and police units and is a consultant to local, state and federal tactical units. Chief Watt holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, a B.Sc. degree from Weber State University, is a graduate of Session 191 of the FBI National Academy, and is a Staff Firearms Instructor at Gunsite Academy.
Chief Watt is also a Colonel in the Utah Army National Guard and is the Commander of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), commanding 2100 Green Berets located in 9 states. With 30-years of active duty and reserve experience, he is a graduate of the Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster Schools, Special Forces Qualification Course, Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, Special Forces Officer Qualification Course, CAS3, CGSC, the U.S. Army War College, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Instructor (SFAUC), Special Forces Basic Combat Course – Support Instructor (SFBCC-S) and Military Freefall (HALO) School.