After graduating from Pensacola Junior College with an Associate of Science Degree in Law Enforcement, Chief Johnson began his law enforcement career with the Pensacola (FL) Police Department. Chief Johnson received his law enforcement recruit training at Pensacola Junior College. During his tenure with the Pensacola Police Department, Chief Johnson served as a patrol officer, Tac Squad officer, and Vice and Intelligence investigator.

After five-and-a-half years with the Pensacola Police Department, Chief Johnson relocated to Houston, Texas where he worked as a white-collar crime investigator specializing in arson and insurance fraud cases.

Chief Johnson returned to Florida a year later and joined the Gulf Breeze Police Department as an officer. Chief Johnson eventually rose through the ranks and achieved the rank of sergeant while serving in the patrol, traffic, and investigation units. While working at the Gulf Breeze Police Department, Chief Johnson obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University.

After serving with the Gulf Breeze Police Department for four-and-a-half years, Chief Johnson accepted a promotional position to lieutenant with the University of West Florida (UWF) Police Department. During his tenure with the UWF Police Department, Chief Johnson served as the coordinator for investigations, records, crime prevention, training, and communications. Chief Johnson also began a long association with criminal justice training when he was certified as a law enforcement instructor by the State of Florida. Chief Johnson was employed as a part-time instructor for the Northwest Florida Regional Criminal Justice Training Center where he instructed a number of academy-level and career-development courses. While at UWF, Chief Johnson obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology. Also, while at UWF, Chief Johnson enlisted in and served a tour-of-duty for the United Stated Coast Guard Reserves, eventually rising to the rank of Port Security First Class (PS1).

After serving the UWF community for nine years, Chief Johnson accepted the position of Chief of Police for the Marshall University (WV) Police Department. Chief Johnson served Marshall University during the years that it won the NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship and transitioned to the NCAA 1-A level of play. In working the football games, Chief Johnson had the opportunity closely watch the play of future NFL stars Chad Pennington and Randy Moss. In 1996, Chief Johnson also worked closely with the United States Secret Service to provide dignitary protection to President Bill Clinton, who initiated his re-election campaign in Huntington. While at Marshall University, Chief Johnson also served as an instructor for the West Virginia State Police Academy in Charleston, West Virginia.

Two-and-a-half years later, Chief Johnson accepted the position of Chief of Police for the Mississippi State University (MSU) Police Department. While in Mississippi, Chief Johnson received his Mississippi law enforcement training and certification at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. During his tenure at MSU, Chief Johnson led the department to national accreditation. This accomplishment resulted in the MSU Police Department becoming the third accredited law enforcement agency in Mississippi and the first university police department in the state to be nationally accredited. The State of Mississippi began its own state accreditation program and Chief Johnson was appointed as one of the first commissioners for the state’s accreditation board. Chief Johnson again had the opportunity to work closely with the United States Secret Service to facilitate a visit by former President George Bush to the MSU campus. Chief Johnson was responsible for developing a security plan for Davis-Wade Stadium when Mississippi State University hosted the University of South Carolina in a nationally televised football game; the first nationally televised sporting event after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Chief Johnson’s plan became a model that other venues emulated for stadium security. While at MSU, Chief Johnson also served as an instructor for the Northeast Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center.

After eight years of service to Mississippi State University, Chief Johnson accepted the position of Chief of Police with the Western Carolina University (WCU) Police Department in 2005. Chief Johnson received his North Carolina law enforcement training at Haywood Community College. In December 2007, Chief Johnson received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development from Mississippi State University.

In addition to his law enforcement service, Chief Johnson has also instructed a number of classes at the college level. The following is a summary of Chief Johnson's instructional activities:

• Western Carolina University Department of Applied Criminology
  
  • CJ-300 - Research Methods and Writing
  • CJ-320 - Police in Society
  • CJ-425 - Police Practices and Problems
• Mississippi State University Department of Psychology
  • PSY-1013 - General Psychology
  • PSY -4226 - Drug Use and Abuse
  • COE-8523 - Student Development Theory (co-instructor)
• Marshall University Department of Psychology
  • PSY-201 - General Psychology
• University of West Florida Department of Government
  • CCJ-3450 - Criminal Justice Management and Organization
• Troy State University Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Foundations of Education
  
  • PSY-200 - General Psychology
  • PSY-350 - Theories of Personality
• Pensacola Junior College Department of Behavioral Sciences (formerly Department of Public Service Careers)
  
  • CCJ-2650 - Narcotics and Drug Education

Chief Johnson is married and has an adult son. Chief Johnson is a member of the Goldwing Road Riders Association and, during his free time, Chief Johnson and his wife enjoy riding their Goldwing motorcycle on the mountain roads of western North Carolina.