Police practices expert-Police Chief- 34 years
Contact this Expert Witness
- Company: S. J. Hilden Consulting
- Phone: (248) 880-3521
- Cell: (248) 880-3521
Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness
General Specialties:
Police Practices & Procedures and Law Enf & Criminal JusticeKeywords/Search Terms:
use of force, civil liability, policy procedures, school policing, premise liability, police operations, risk management, crime prevention, police training, supervision, management, pursuits, internal investigations, racial profiling, best practice, investigations, excessive force, misconduct, 1983, MonellEducation:
Masters Liberal Studies, Eastern Michigan University; Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice, Michigan State UniversityYears in Practice:
34Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs:
6Additional Information
Active Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety with over 34 years of law enforcement experience and more than two decades in supervisory and executive leadership roles. I have been retained in over 35 federal and state civil and criminal matters involving excessive force, unlawful arrest, failure to train, failure to supervise, Monell liability, jail and detention operations, communications center practices, and the full spectrum of police practices under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related state-law claims. Retained in more than 35 federal and state civil and criminal matters involving allegations of: • Use of Force: Lethal and less-lethal applications, de-escalation, and TASER/CEW deployment. • Search & Seizure: Fourth Amendment compliance, warrant execution, and investigative stops. • Police Operations: Vehicle pursuits, emergency response, and specialized unit tactics. • Administrative Liability: Failure to train, negligent supervision, and Monell claims. • Professional Standards: Internal affairs, hiring practices, and adherence to department Policies and Procedures. • Investigative Integrity: Evidence handling, witness interviewing, and crime scene management. • Bias & Ethics: Allegations of racial profiling and discriminatory policing practices. Throughout my career, I have personally made over 600 arrests, reviewed approximately 400–500 use-of-force incidents, and supervised hundreds of internal investigations. I currently oversee all police operations, training, supervision/management, detention functions, policy development, internal affairs, and discipline. My agency is accredited by the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and by the national "Gold Standard," the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This ensures compliance with constitutional standards and nationally recognized best practices in law enforcement operations. My opinions are objective, standards-based, and grounded in contemporary policing practices. I work with both plaintiff and defense counsel and provide clear, defensible analysis suitable for judges and juries. Please see the attached curriculum vitae for more details.