Police - Law Enforcement Expert Witnesses

Dr. Philip Hayden, EdD, retired Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI, has been certified as an Expert Witness, in both State and Federal courts, in the areas of Use of Force, Law Enforcement Tactics and Training, and Mental Mindset during high-risk situations. Dr. Hayden's background and level of expertise are unlike anyone else's in the Police Use of Force / Special Tactics Expert Witness arena. As a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in multiple major metropolitan areas, he has participated in several hundred arrests of violent criminals.

As a Supervisory Special Agent for the FBI Academy for more than 15 years, Dr. Hayden designed, developed, and implemented the Law Enforcement Training for Safety and Survival Sub-Unit program. As a tactical instructor he has written dozens of articles and instruction manuals for the FBI, such as the implementation of the FBI Deadly Force Policy for Federal Violent Crimes Task Forces, How to Conduct High-Risk Arrests, and Safe Apprehension of Dangerous Criminals.

Dr. Hayden has testified as an Expert Witness and has been deposed in both criminal and civil cases. He has consulted on cases with the following:

• U.S. Attorney’s Offices in New York City, NY; District of New Jersey; Washington, DC; El Paso, TX; Portland, OR; Alexandria, VA; Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• State Attorney’s Offices for the cities of Lafayette, LA; Miami–Dade and Sarasota, FL; Wilmington, DE
• County Attorney’s Office for Prince Georges County, MD; City Attorney’s Office for Trumbull, CT
• Defense and Plaintiff Attorneys in Richmond, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Las Vegas, NV; Denver, CO; Kansas City, KS; Pasadena, TX; Birmingham, AL; Minneapolis, MN; Virginia Beach, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Virgin Islands
• Swedish Defense Ministry in Stockholm, Sweden

Dr. Hayden has been certified by the FBI as an instructor in Tactical Concepts for:

Police Use of Force Law Enforcement Tactics Police Tactical Training Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)

High Risk Arrests Use of Electronic Control Devices Tactical Rappelling Helicopter Tactical Operations

Military Awards & Honors - Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Conspicuous Service Cross, Army Commendation for Valor, Bronze Star for Valor, Distinguished Service Cross

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Michael J. Canaan, CPP CFLC is a Forensic Premises Liability Expert Witness with over 42 years of experience in military and civil law enforcement, as well as, corporate and private sector security and investigative positions.

Mr. Canaan is Board Certified in Security Management by the American Society for Industrial Security, International. ASIS is the largest professional security practitioner association with over 38,000 members worldwide, of which only 2200 have received this prestigious certification. Mr. Canaan is also a Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant with the Forensic Expert Witness Association. 

Mr. Canaan has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University.

Assignments have taken him from the Bering Sea to Southeast Alaska, across Canada and the United States, to countries in Central and South American in case venues ranging from educational settings, amphitheaters and stadiums, nightclubs and sports bars, ships, casinos, retail environments, food processing facilities, malls, and shopping centers.

Those assignments typically have involved evaluating failure to meet best practices, duty or standard of care in areas such as hiring, training, supervision, policies and procedures, staffing, and technology in cases ranging from allegations of voyeurism, violation of privacy, improper installation of security infrastructure or systems, inadequate security, excessive force, threats, intimidation, harassment, assaults, rape, robbery, shootings, and homicide.

Of the 25+ expert cases worked, 80 percent have been for the defense, with testimony experience in deposition and at trial.

Since 1991, Mr. Canaan has served as President of Trident Investigative Service, Inc. He is a former Washington Certified Police Officer and Narcotics Detector Dog Handler. Mr. Canaan is a certified instructor in related disciplines and maintains active membership in numerous professional associations.  View Michael Canaan's Consulting Profile.

Emanuel Kapelsohn is an internationally recognized Firearms Training and Use of Force consultant who has instructed thousands of police and security officers, federal agents and others throughout the U.S. and abroad since 1980. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, he is a practicing attorney in addition to his consulting work. 

As vice president of the Internat’l Assoc. of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, Mr. Kapelsohn is a certified in force science and shooting scene reconstruction, and as an instructor in numerous law enforcement disciplines. He is a featured presenter at national and international instructor conferences. He has authored over 130 published articles, is Associate Editor of "Standards & Practices Guide for Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors," and principal author of "Firearms Training Standards for Law Enforcement Personnel," and "Guidelines for Simulation Training Safety." 

Mr. Kapelsohn testifies as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts nationwide, and has testified by invitation before both houses of Congress. 

Testimony on the Following Subjects:

Gun Accidents Firearms Safety Gun Handling Procedures Gun Storage Firearms Design Operability Trajectories Velocities Ballistics Ejection Patterns - Ricochets Proximity Testing Gunshot Evidence

Bullet Wounds Reconstruction of Shooting Scenes Bullet Penetration Shooting Range Safety Hunting Accidents Holsters and other Shooting Products Self Defense Knives and other Weapons Involuntary Muscular Contraction and Accidental Discharge Police and Security Firearms Training Tactics and Procedures Use of Force

View Emanuel Kapelsohn's Consulting Profile.

Roy G. Taylor is a current Chief of Police with over 40 years of experience in a wide-range of federal, state, local, and private criminal justice positions. Mr. Taylor specializes as an expert witness in Police Practices and Procedures and Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Current Positions:

• Chief of Police Blue Ridge Public Safety (2014)
• President/CEO Signal 88 Security of Charlotte (2012)
• President/CEO Capitol Special Patrol (2012)
• Chief of Police Capitol Special Police (2002)
• Lt. Colonel – Provost Marshal, Army National Guard (2000)
• Antiterrorism / Emergency Management Branch Chief DoD (2007)
• Provost Marshal Joint Civil Support Task Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff (2014)

Litigation Support - Mr. Taylor is called upon to analyze cases from both defense and plaintiff perspectives. His services include case review, written reports, deposition, and trial testimony as needed. Areas of Expertise:

Police Standards & Practices Use of Force & Deadly Force Electronic Control Devices Standards of Conduct High Speed Vehicle Pursuits & Chases Law Enforcement Policies and Procedures

Failure to Train Law Enforcement Malpractice Failure to Supervise Violations of §1983 Civil Rights Personnel Selection & Retention Police K-9

View Roy Taylor's Consulting Profile.

Walter P. Signorelli, Esq., has over 30 years of experience in the field of Police Policy and Procedure and Police Liability.

Background - During his tenure in the NYPD, Mr. Signorelli held the ranks of Police Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Inspector, and Inspector, and served in numerous capacities. In these positions, he conducted or supervised 1,000s of undercover and overt investigations, applications for warrants, the execution of warrants, and arrests. He has also been responsible for the supervision of undercover training, and oversaw activities at the High-Intensity-Drug-Trafficking-Area (HIDTA) training center.

Regarding vehicle-related issues, Mr. Signorelli conducted or supervised numerous investigations of vehicle accidents, police emergency vehicles accidents, police vehicle pursuits, and was a member of various Accident Review Boards. His experience also includes responding to hostage situations, barricaded suspect situations, emotionally disturbed persons, and any police-related shootings.

Mr. Signorelli is currently a practicing attorney, an adjunct professor of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and an author. He has published three books: The Crisis of Police Liability Lawsuits, 2006; The Constable Has Blundered, 2010 (Carolina Academic Press); Criminal Law, Procedure, and Evidence, 2011 (Taylor&Francis, CRC Press).

Litigation Support - Walter Signorelli has been retained as a consultant by both plaintiffs and defense in a number of police liability cases, and has testified as a police procedures expert in both State and Federal courts. He has been prociding expert witness services for over 17 years.

Mr. Signorelli has been retained as an expert approximately 150 times and testified before an arbitrator approximately 25 times. His areas of expertise include:

Deadly Force / Excessive Force Drug Enforcement

Law Enforcement Police Procedures

Michael S. D’Angelo, CPP, CSC,CHPA is the founder of Secure Direction Consulting, LLC. He has been in the public safety and private security industries for over 25 years. 

Background - Before transitioning into security management, Mr. D’Angelo was a Police Captain, serving 23 years with the South Miami Florida Police Department. During his law enforcement career, he served in a variety of specialized units and gained significant managerial experience as a supervisor, middle manager, and senior commanding officer. Upon transitioning to the private security profession, Mr. D’Angelo was hired as the Corporate Security Manager for Baptist Health South Florida, where he served as an internal consultant for security and emergency preparedness to six hospitals and a multitude of outpatient/non- hospital facilities. D'Angelo achieved both Board Certification in Security Management (CPP) and Board Certification in Security Consulting (CSC). Expanding his expertise in the healthcare sector, he went on to achieve both the Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) and Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP) designations. 

Litigation Support - Michael S. D’Angelo provides forensic litigation support for cases involving security negligence and premises liability. Mr. D'Angelo's services include case review, expert testimony, and consultation on security standards and best practices. *Please contact for Mr. D'Angelo's CV. 

View Michael D'Angelo's Consulting Profile.

Capt. Kenneth M. Sanders has over 30 years of experience in the field of Law Enforcement. The last 15 years, Capt. Sanders served as the Director of one of the largest Police Academies in Louisiana, training approximately 10,000 people per year. Upon retirement, he was the Senior Master Instructor for the state, and responsible for all curriculum development and all instructor development for the entire state.

Internal Auditor / Assessor / Consultant: At the request of law enforcement agencies, jails, and prisons, Capt. Sanders conducts internal assessments for compliance with applicable law, policy, and standards. He also writes and edits new lesson plans, revises existing lesson plans, and works within state agencies as the final editor of legal training for law enforcement academies and officers.

Litigation Support - A Subject Matter Expert, Capt. Sanders has provided expert witness services to private law firms, law firms retained by law enforcement agencies and officers, the FBI, the US Attorney, and the Department of Justice. Representing both plaintiff and defendant, he has been used for Grand Jury Investigations, written opinions, oral opinions, and courtroom testimony. 

Capt. Sanders has been retained in US District Court for cases related to Traditional Law Enforcement, Jails, and Correctional Facilities. Areas of Expertise:

Use of Force Deliberate Indifference Wrongful Death

Law Enforcement Procedures Jail and Correctional Procedures Law Enforcement Training

John M. White, CPP, CHPA is Board Certified in Security Management; Certified Protection Professional (CPP); Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA); and a Published Author.

Mr. White has been a professional security practitioner, security consultant, and expert witness since 1999. He has over 40 years of experience in Corporate Security Management and Law Enforcement and Security consulting, including physical security, security operations, regulatory compliance, & security training. Prior to forming Protection Management, LLC, Mr. White served a distinguished career in law enforcement, corporate security, and the military.

As a security consultant, Mr. White has developed and/or assessed security programs involving multi-unit residential properties, hotels/motels, homeless shelters, tourism services, places of worship, retail stores, high rise office/residential buildings, food services, entertainment services, healthcare services, hospitals, long-term care facilities/assisted living, parking facilities, college campuses, lounges, and other commercial properties.

In 2013, Mr. White was approached by publisher Butterworth-Heinemann and asked to write a book on security risk assessments. That book, titled: Security Risk Assessment – Managing Physical and Operational Security was published in July 2014 and is available online through numerous bookstores.

Litigation Support - Mr. White has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and defendants in negligent security, premises liability, and use of force lawsuits in the field of security. His services include case consultation, document review and analysis, deposition, arbitration and mediation, and trial testimony when necessary.

Areas of Expertise:

Crime Prevention Emergency Preparedness Healthcare Security Premises Security Issues Security Risk Assessments Security Audits

Security Training Security Management Security Program Development Security Policies Use of Force Workplace Violence

View John White's Consulting Profile.

Gregory J. Anderson has served as a chief of police/law enforcement executive with over 35 years of experience with a focus in Law Enforcement. A nationally known speaker and instructor, Mr. Anderson focuses on leadership, supervision, internal affairs, and problem employees, de-escalation strategies as well as use-of-force matters. He also consults with government agencies nationwide on professional standards, internal affairs, and best practices models. He has been instrumental in the change in organizations. Mr. Anderson's law enforcement career began in 1980 and served as an executive in three different law enforcement agencies, including starting an agency from its inception. He formed the On-Target Solutions Group, Inc. to provide consulting and training to government organizations. Mr. Anderson has consulted with agencies and other experts nationally on a variety of law enforcement topics and is recognized by the United States Department of Justice as a law enforcement expert and litigative consultant.  He authored the training that the On-Target Solutions Group provides, as well as vets and hires all company professionals to provide training. Mr. Anderson has served on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, and belongs to several professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Areas of Expertise:

Use of Force (certified Use of Force Analyst) Internal Affairs Best Practices and Policies Leadership and Management Principles

Discipline Matters Recruiting and Background Investigations Problem Employees Criminal Investigations

Ideal Client Engagement - Ideal clients would be government organizations (police, fire, etc.) struggling to enhance the value of public services provided and attorneys that need a professional review and testimonial services of existing law enforcement practices.

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.

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. 

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 Montgomery County, Pa. and has provided consultation services to law firms, police departments, correctional institutions, and municipalities throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Georgia, Indiana and Delaware in the areas of the use of force, in custody death claims, special response teams, arrest procedures, Tasers, training, PREA 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 Lesson Plans and Development, 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. He has provided either expert testimony or reports to clients in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Georgia, Indiana and Delaware. 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

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

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

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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