Police - Law Enforcement Expert Witnesses

Chief Chet Epperson (Ret.), MBA, has over 38 years of experience as a Law Enforcement / Police Professional for the Rockford Police Department in Rockford, Illinois. Chief Epperson spent 33 years as an active law enforcement officer and 10 of those years as Chief of Police. 

Chief Epperson maintains practical experience as a municipal police chief, implementing several police reforms in his police agency along with accountability processes. He was instrumental in reforming the Rockford Police Department by enhancing its relationship with the community and providing internal and external transparency. Chief Epperson assisted in the formulation of a multi-jurisdictional task force to investigate officer-involved police shootings, in-custody police deaths, and serious uses of force.

Litigation Support - Since 2016, Chief Epperson has been serving as a Police Practices consultant, providing court-appointed expertise in police agency Federal District Court Consent Decrees. He is an expert in applying Constitutional Standards, State Law, policy, and practice to police incidents. Having Instructed courses on police use of force, internal affairs, and discipline, Chief Epperson is qualified to opine on cases of this nature for both plaintiffs and defendants. His police and jail litigation services include thorough reporting, deposition, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Police Officer Involved Shootings Police / Jail Use of Force Excessive Use of Force Internal Affairs Supervision

Police Training Police Practice & Policy Police Discipline Police Mental Health Police Auditing

View AGR Police Practice Group's Consulting Profile.

Richard D. Morman, CPP, CSSP, PPS, is a career Public Safety veteran. He served with The Ohio State University Police Division for over 29 years, retiring as the Deputy Chief of Police, a position he held for 10 years. Mr. Morman has been involved in all facets of Law Enforcement, including management and supervision, having a total of twenty two years in supervision and management. In 2010, he was selected as The Ohio State University Department of Public Safety Employee of the Year. Mr. Morman holds three professional certifications, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from ASIS, Certified Sports Security Professional (CSSP) as designated by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), and certified Personal Protection Specialist (PPS) as designated by the Executive Protection Institute. 

Mr. Morman has vast Sports and Special Event Security planning and management experience, he is considered a subject matter expert in celebratory rioting, crowd management, sports and special event security planning and management, venue security planning and management and executive protection. In December 2011, he was invited by the US Department of Criminal Justice to present to a group of his peers in Best Practices for Large Venue Security. Mr. Morman has contributed to the Bureau of Justice Assistance publication: Practitioners’ Thoughts on Promising Practices for Securing College and University Spectator Events From Criminal Extremist Attacks and participated in developing the NCS4 Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Best Practices Guide. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Morman provides expert witness services to attorneys for plaintiff and defendant which include written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

Security and Police Practices & Procedures Specialty Focus:

Inadequate or Wrongful Security Wrongful Law Enforcement Act Higher Education Safety and Security Sports Event & Venue Security Special Event Security

Crowd Management Executive Protection Work Place Violence Higher Education Law Enforcement Threat Assessment Teams

View Richard D. Morman's Consulting Profile.

Richard J. Brzeczek, Attorney at Law, Chicago Police Department Superintendent (Retired) has over 45 years of experience in the criminal justice system. He is a noted Expert and Consultant in the area of Police Policy and Procedure.

Background - Mr. Brzeczek has 19 years of experience as a police officer and police official, and over 25 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. From 1973-1980, he served as General Counsel for the Chicago Police Department. Prior to that, Mr. Brzeczek was a partner at Levy & Erens, a commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and commercial real estate firm. He has 28 years experience teaching law enforcement seminars on the subjects of police misconduct, internal affairs procedures / investigations, and use of deadly and non-deadly force. This includes several years teaching at the FBI Academy (FBI National Academy and FBI National Executive Institute).

Attorney Services - Mr. Brzeczek is currently in the private practice of law concentrating primarily on Federal and State Criminal Defense with experience in civil litigation and administrative hearings. He argues cases on appeal at the Federal and State levels.

Litigation Support Richard J. Brzeczek has almost 30 years of experience as an opinion/expert witness. He has provided his expertise in a Wrongful Conviction Litigation which resulted in a multi-million dollar award for plaintiff. He also served as an expert witness involving Proper Police Procedures regarding the handling of a suicide threat and traffic safety.

Areas of Expertise:

• Police Administration & Procedures - Policy Development, Review, and Implementation
• Police Misconduct Issues - Improper Procedures, Wanton and Willful Conduct and Wrongful Convictions
• Internal Affairs Issues - Examining Competency of Investigations

Donald L. Leach, II, is a Jail / Corrections Management expert with over 30 years of experience. He has 20 years of consulting experience on jail management issues nationally, focusing on Risk Management for jails and jail operational methodology. Mr. Leach has extensive supervisory experience, having overseen up to 402 employees (indirectly). He also supervised internal affairs investigations, experienced in interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, motivating, evaluating, and dismissing personnel. He is experienced in administering and managing a large detention facility, developing and administering programs, budgeting, contract development and monitoring, conducting research, monitoring compliance with policies and procedures, community relations, public speaking, controlling costs, problem-solving, and preparing reports.

Litigation Support - Mr. Leach has served as an expert witness for 5 years, in both State and Federal court. His services are available to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense and include case review, testimony, and consultation for jail and prison issues.

Areas of Expertise:

Jail Management Use of Force In-custody Death Security / Operations Medical and Mental Health Services

Classification Contract Management for Privatized Services Management Information Systems Strip Search Gang and STG

View Donald Leach's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Ron Martinelli, is a nationally renowned forensic criminologist and a federal/state courts qualified law enforcement and premises liability expert who is also a Certified Medical Investigator (physician's level) accredited by the MO State Medical Association. He is also a Certified Suicide Investigator. Dr. Martinelli directs the nation's only Forensic Death Investigations & Independent Review Team and specializes in officer-involved death cases, civilian self-defense shooting cases and premises liability/security cases. Dr. Martinelli is a forensic/law enforcement expert to the U.S. Department of Justice, several State Attorney Generals' Offices, numerous major municipalities and nationally prominent private law firms specializing in wrongful death, civil rights and premises liability. Dr. Martinelli is the prevailing expert in over 90% of his retained cases. He has saved defendants over $200M and earned plaintiffs over $60 million in jury verdicts and settlements since 2004. He is the media's go-to forensic expert for FOX News, One America News Network, CNN, HLN, Sky News, BBC, NPR, and the History & Discovery Channels. Dr. Martinelli is skilled in crime scene reconstruction, forensics, applied sciences and psycho-medical emergencies. His unique and extensive field experience, combined his academic and scientific credentials, excellent written reports and persuasive testimony, make him a very appealing expert to attorneys and juries alike.

Areas of Expertise:

• Arrests
• Search & Seizure
• Use of Force / Excessive Force - All Levels and Weaponry
• Officer Involved Shootings(OIS)
• In-Custody Deaths
• Criminal Investigations
• Police Practices, Training & Supervision
• Adult & Juvenile Corrections
• Law Enforcement Negligence
• Civilian Self-Defense, Security, Foreseeable Harm
• Insurance Cases
• COVID Detentions & Arrests

Areas of Expertise: Retired New York City Police Department Captain of Detectives with 40 years experience, Captain Mamet is an Expert in investigations, tactics, operations, conduct, training, procedures, use of force, high-speed chases and other forms of police liability, as well as security matters. He has testified as an Expert Witness in numerous cases, federal, state and local, for Defense and Plaintiff.

Profile: Retired Captain Mamet founded ECJM Consultants, Inc., in 1998, after completing forty years service in police work. His group provides high quality, cost effective police and security practices expertise to clients on a variety of law enforcement and security related issues. ECJM specializes in law enforcement and security liability matters, supporting both plaintiff and defense attorneys. Before deciding to assign a case to one of our experts, we will take the time to have a full discussion with potential clients, free of charge.

Professional Experience: Most ECJM experts are retired New York City Police Department command officers whose combined experience exceeds 125 years in law enforcement and security. Upon analysis of the materials supplied, the reviewing expert will offer a fair, impartial and clearly explained evaluation. A written report, if required, will be prepared. Should the opinion be helpful, the expert will also be available for deposition and trial.

Services: At the client's request, ECJM experts will provide an early assessment of a case, regardless of review time required, for a predetermined fee or bill by the hour. This innovative service means early, initial consultation with experts in a manner previously unavailable at such low cost. Early case assessment facilitates better client decision making regarding whether and how to proceed.

Daniel B. Kennedy, Ph.D., is FCA’s principal consultant and is Board Certified in Security Management. Dr. Kennedy has had extensive specialized training in various aspects of Criminal Behavior, Policing Operations, Corrections Operations, and Private Sector Security Management. He specializes in crime foreseeability issues, appropriate standards of care in the security industry, and analyses of the behavioral aspects of proximate causation.

Dr. Kennedy has testified in cases involving the appropriate standards of care for the use of deadly force, vehicle pursuits, emergency psychiatric evaluations, prisoner health care, prevention of prisoner suicide, positional asphyxia/excited delirium, and “suicide by cop.” He also evaluates numerous lawsuits concerning premises liability for negligent security in the private sector involving properties both in the U.S. and overseas.

Jeffrey C. Fox, PhD, MBA, MS, BLS, AAS, CHPA IV, CHS IV, served for 32 years in the field of Public Safety, 21 of which were with the VA State Police. He has over 20 years of personnel, administrative, and program management experience. Dr. Fox was a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute where he holds a Level 4 Homeland Security Certification. He has completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency Professional Development Courses and was certified through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management as a trainer for incident command system training courses. As a practitioner, he was involved in the response and management of all types of events such as major disasters including floods, hurricanes, snow/ice storms, and the largest traffic crash in Virginia history. He has also managed and responded to civil unrests, protests, a sniper attack, dignitary protection, special event planning, and many major crimes.

Background - Dr. Fox began his law enforcement career as a military policeman in the U.S. Army and served as a town police officer, trooper, sergeant, first sergeant, and lieutenant. He served as a field lieutenant with the VSP and served as the assistant training officer where he managed the daily operations of the training academy. He also served as the statewide incident management program manager for the VA Department of Transportation in the operations and security division. 

Teaching / Speaking Experience - Dr. Fox retired from state service as the Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor for the Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness and Criminal Justice Cohort Programs for VA Commonwealth University. He served as an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Public Safety Adult Degree Completion Programs (Bachelors) [Criminal Justice and Homeland Security & Emergency Management] for Bluefield College. While the assistant training officer for the VSP, Dr. Fox collaborated with the University of Virginia and together they created the National Criminal Justice Command College. Having spent 20 years instructing at various criminal justice academies in a plethora of criminal justice, instructor development, and leadership courses, Dr. Fox has taught over 560 criminal justice and homeland security / emergency preparedness courses, and management / leadership courses which include over 18,000 classroom hours. He has taught over 85 criminal justice topics in police academies, which include over 4,000 hours of classroom instruction. Dr. Fox has served on over 35 boards or committees relating to criminal justice, homeland security, or training issues. He was tasked with overseeing the implementation of NIMS compliance issues for two large state agencies totaling approximately 6,000 employees. He has also overseen the development of several large distance-learning programs. Dr. Fox served as chairperson and committee member for many doctoral students in the public service leadership discipline. During his public service career, he earned over 167 commendations, awards, and honors for enforcement and service work, public speaking and instructing, and his academic achievements. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Fox serves as an expert witness for attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defendant. His services include case review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

Areas of Public Safety Expertise:

Leadership and Management Ethics Instructor Development / Training Basic Police Training In-service Training Field Training Officer Training / Development National Incident Management Incident Command Training Emergency Management Training Emergency Preparedness / Response Crisis Management Traffic Safety Traffic Incident Management Training

General Criminal Justice Procedure and Policies Patrol Criminal Interdiction Search and Seizure Use of Force DUI / DWI and Drug Enforcement Drug User Recognition Investigations Criminal Behavior Homeland Security / Terrorism Risk Assessments NIMS Compliance / Implementation Agency Policy Development or Review

Daniel G. O'Kelly has over 40 years of experience as a range instructor, a builder, and collector of Firearms and Ammunition. Mr. O'Kelly is currently Director at the International Firearm Specialist Academy (IFSA), a guild of award winning experts, former Federal Agents, Investigators, Police Officers, and Medical Doctors, in the firearm and forensics field. Background Experience - An Armorer for thirteen gun companies, including Beretta, Colt, DS Arms, FN, Glock, H&K, Kimber, Remington, Ruger, SIG, S&W, and Springfield Armory, Mr. O'Kelly has toured and done research at numerous firearm and ammunition factories and firearm reference collections across the U.S., Europe, and Africa. He regularly presents seminars worldwide on firearm enforcement, ID & technology, and ammunition to law enforcement and the firearm industry. Mr. O'Kelly served for 11 years as a Police Officer and for 23 years as a Special Agent for the Bureau of ATF where he was Lead Instructor of Firearm Technology at the ATF National Academy

Litigation Support - Daniel O'Kelly has provided litigation support as an Expert Firearm Witness in federal court since 1990. He has testified in numerous trials for over 30 years and has been lauded as an "unshakable witness". A qualified Subject Matter Expert with exceptional knowledge in firearms and investigative protocol, he is recognized as the “go to” person regarding technical firearm issues.

Areas of Expertise:

Firearms Firearm Forensics Tool Marks Firearm ID & Comparisons Ammunition Firearms Product Liability

Shooting Accidents Crime Scene Reconstructions Forensic Pathology ATF Compliance / Firearm Technology Gunshot Residues & Distance Determinations Ballistics Issues

View Daniel O'Kelly's Consulting Profile.

John C. Villines is a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist and a Board Certified Security Manager. He has been a Security Consultant, Author, Seminar Presenter and Expert Witness since 1979. Mr. Villines' clients include Fortune 100 corporations.

Education: M.S. Security Management (08); Georgia State University: College of Law (82-85); B.S. Crim Justice (82) 

Areas of Expertise:

Security Negligence Foreseeability Negligent Investigations Policies Procedures Standard of Care

Management and Supervision Training Personal Safety Threat Assessment Access Controls Crime Prevention

Venues: Malls, Office Buildings, Hotels/Motels, Apartments, Retail, Parking Lots, Government Buildings, other. 

Member:

• International Association of Crime Analysts
• International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners
• American Society of Criminology

Robert T. Johnson is a Law Enforcement Veteran with 32 years of active service. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Illinois State Police, Mr. Johnson continues to serve as a private consultant and expert witness regarding Law Enforcement Policies and Practices most frequently for Use of Force and Police Pursuits but has also testified regarding other police policy & practices issues. He also conducts Sensitive Internal Investigations as an independent investigator for municipalities regarding allegations of Police Misconduct.

Mr. Johnson has extensive experience in Police Administration, Management and Supervision, Criminal Investigations, Use of Force and Officer Invoved Shooting Investigations,Patrol Procedures, Complaint/Internal Investigations and Task Force Operations. Robert Johnson has been qualified as an expert witness in state and federal court. He has consulted and testified for numerous police agencies as well as plaintiffs in litigation regarding the use of force/deadly force, pursuits, emergency vehicle response, and other policy issues. Mr. Johnson has been retained as an expert in well over 150 cases and has testified at several civil trials, State & Federal.

Areas of Expertise:

• Agency Policies, Practices and Customs
• Batons, Flashlights and other Impact Weapons
• Chemical Irritants & Electrical Weapons
• Deadly Force; Shooting Avoidance and Alternatives
• Employee Dishonesty Investigations
• Neck Restraints and Similar Defensive Tactics
• Positional Restraint Asphyxia
• Prisoner Transport, Restraints, Handcuffing and Hog-tying
• Retention of a Known Unfit Employee or Negligent Entrustment of a Weapon
• Search and Seizure
• Standards for Discipline, Internal Affairs Procedures, (In)Adequate Punishment
• Use/Protection of Confidential Informants
• Vehicle Pursuit & Emergency Response Policies & Techniques

View Consulting Profile.

Victor Lofgreen, PhD has over 30 years of experience and education in the fields of Corrections and Community Development. He is a prison and jail consultant who conducts cases analysis and develops reports to support litigation on prison and jail issues. Experience - Dr. Lofgreen has served as the CEO of a State Adult Correctional Institution and the Division Chief of a State Planning Agency for Corrections. He has authored numerous professional papers and articles on topics within his area of expertise as well as Agency Policy and Procedure Manuals and training materials. Litigation Support - Dr. Lofgreen's expertise is in Jail and Prison Policy and Procedures related to the standard of care for inmates by local, State, and Federal correctional agencies. His services are available to counsel representing plaintiff and defendant and include case review, case study and data analysis, report of Expert Opinion based on the evidence included in the case study, deposition, and trial testimony as needed. Areas of Expertise:

Death in Custody/ Inmate Suicide Use of Force Proper Booking Procedure Prison Searches Deliberate Indifference

Inmate Work Supervision Inmate Assault Staff Assault on Inmates Conditions of Confinement Prisoner Medical Care Standards

Harry C. McCann, MPA, is recognized as an expert in Policy, Procedure, and Training by the Federal Courts in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Northern District of Georgia, the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania and has provided consultation, expert testimony or reports to law firms, police departments, correctional institutions, and municipalities throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona,New Mexico and Delaware in the areas of the use of force, in custody death claims, special response teams, arrest procedures, Tasers, training, PREA, classification and legal issues. Background Experience - Throughout his law enforcement career, Mr. McCann has been responsible for the writing and implementation of policy and procedure relating to the Use of Force, Emergency Procedures, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Special Response Team protocols, Staff Training, Patrol Procedures, and Legal Issues. As the prior Director of Law Enforcement / Police Training in Bucks County (PA), the fourth largest county in Pennsylvania, he has been responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementation training programs to approximately 800 police officers representing 42 police departments.

Litigation Support - With 37 years of law enforcement expertise in the federal, state and county level, Harry McCann offers a unique perspective of knowledge and expertise in all facets of training, policy, procedure, and case review. Mr. McCann has continually demonstrated his ability to evaluate the issues and present himself in a clear, concise, thorough, and professional manner. His preparation has been acknowledged among his peers and has been honed by 35 years of college teaching and staff development instruction. He offers guidance and expert reports in matters dealing with:

• Correctional / Police Practices and Procedures
• Police, Correctional, Court Document Interpretation
• Use of Force
• Training Issues and Standards
• DUI Checkpoint Operations
• Wrongful Imprisonment and False Arrest
• Emergency Procedures
• PREA
• Correctional classification
• Police/Correctional Standards

R. Paul McCauley, Ph.D. assists plaintiff and defense attorneys in police, security, and jail related issues. He is Emeritus Professor of Criminology and former police trainer, security manager and faculty of the National Crime Prevention Institute and the Southern Police Institute. He has qualified in state and/or federal courts in more than thirty states and Canada. Dr. McCauley was an advisor to three national, presidential and congressional crime committees. He was a Fulbright Senior Scholar to Australia--police security interactions. Dr. McCauley is a noted consultant and published author. 

David W. O`Laughlin is an experienced, innovative leader in the world of Law Enforcement Training. Having been directly involved in the training of police officers for more than 35 years, he has obtained certifications in a multitude of disciplines and has become a Master Use of Force Instructor and Force Science Analyst.

Mr. O'Laughlin has recently retired from the Brookline Police Department. As President of the Massachusetts Police Training Officers Association, he was appointed to serve on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council by Governor Weld and later appointed to the Committee for Law Enforcement Training and Education by Governor Romney.

As Director of Training for MPI, Mr. O'Laughlin oversees the development and implementation of all training programs and other interests produced by MPI. He is a certified expert in the Use of Force and is a recognized consultant in that discipline.

Litigation Support: David W. O'Laughlin provides expert incident analysis and testifies in both court and deposition in matters of police use of force, up to and including deadly force. His services are available to police agencies, insurance companies, and attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Use of Force Deadly Force

Law Enforcement Training Police Practices & Procedures

View David O'Laughlin's Consulting Profile.