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Leonard Papania has a diverse work experience that spans over several years. Leonard started their career as a Reserve Police Officer at the City of Gulfport in 1991 and gradually moved up the ranks, serving in various roles such as Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Narcotics Detective, Task Force Agent, and Officer In Charge of the Professional Standards Division. In 2002, Leonard transitioned to the role of Commander in the Bureau of Operations before becoming the Deputy Chief of Police in 2009. Leonard then served as the Chief of Police for the City of Gulfport from 2013 to 2020.

In addition to their law enforcement experience, Leonard briefly worked as the Director of Manufacturing at Maybelles, a domestic apparel manufacturing company, from 1987 to 1994. Leonard later joined Oceans Healthcare as a Law Enforcement and Community Outreach Liaison from 2020 to 2021, before assuming the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the City of Gulfport from 2021 to 2023. Currently, Leonard holds the role of Director - Community Advocacy at Oceans Healthcare starting from 2024.

Leonard Papania completed their Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science from The University of Southern Mississippi in the years 2000-2002. In 2007, they attended the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville. Leonard also obtained certification as a Mississippi State Certified Police Officer from the State of Mississippi, Harrison County Law Enforcement Academy in 1995. In 2018, Leonard attended Harvard Business School Executive Education for a course on Strategies for Building and Leading Diverse Organizations.