AELE Expert Witness/Litigation Consultant Listing

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Name: Robert T. Johnson
Lt. Colonel (Ret) - Illinois State Police

 

Current employer or professional affiliation: Robert T. Johnson - Law Enforcement Policy and Practices Consultant

Address: Palos Heights, Il 60463

Tel: (708) 217-8872

E-mail: rtj2128@sbcglobal.net

(1) Relevant prior and part-time employment, with dates:

Police Policy and Practices Consultant (Self Employed)

01/99-Present Law Enforcement Policy and Practices Consultant
Consult with law enforcement agencies concerning policy issues. Provide consultation and expert witness testimony regarding litigation relating to police practices and conduct. Has qualified as an expert witness in state and federal court. Conduct independent internal inquiries. Serves as an assessor (Team Leader) for the Commission on the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and has reviewed the operations of approximately 35 law enforcement agencies seeking Accreditation/Re-Accreditation. Has conducted Operational, Organization and/or Policy reviews for several law enforcement agencies, Served as Interim Public Safety Director/Chief of Police Forest View (IL) and assisted in search for the Director's position.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)
- Amtrak Police Department, CALEA Accredited
01/02-05/05 Inspector/Director of Police - Western Region Responsible for oversight of Amtrak Police Personnel, Operations and Administration for the Western Region (30 States) including the Chicago, Indianapolis (Beech Grove), New Orleans, Los Angeles and San Francisco field offices and several detective posts located throughout region. This oversight included supervision and review of Patrol, Investigative and Administrative functions, which are directed to protect the Corporation; its customers, employees and assets as well as the public in general. Conducted Internal Inquiries and reviewed all complaint investigations within Region. Chaired Training Committee with oversight for Defensive Tactics and Firearms Sub-Committees and served as member of the Use of Force Committee - reviewed all use of force incidents nationwide.

Illinois Department of Law Enforcement/Illinois State Police: 1972-1998
(Most recent Command positions listed)

5/98-12/98 Interim Police Superintendent, Cicero Police Department
Appointed by State Police Director, with the approval of Governor Edgar's Office, to oversee daily operations of the Cicero Police Department. Responsible for spearheading the effort to restore an embattled police department to operating condition after the loss of the superintendent, top command staff and over one third of the police force. Crime significantly reduced and five dated cold homicides cleared in seven months. Awards were received from the Illinois State Police and the Town of Cicero for accomplishing this mission.

10/96-12/98 Lt. Colonel, Region I Commander
Commanded over 600 employees with oversight for Operations (Patrol and Investigations) and Administration of District Chicago, District 15, Tactical Response team (SWAT), Helicopter Unit, USART (underwater search and rescue team), Tactical Operations Group (gang and narcotic enforcement) and various Task Force Personnel.

2/95-10/96 Major, District Chicago Commander
Implemented the merger of two Illinois State Police districts into the newly created District Chicago, the largest Illinois State Police district. Directed 330 employees; responsible for overseeing patrol and investigative functions as well as specialized units, such as the Public Integrity Task Force, South Suburban Auto Theft Task Force (SSATIN) and the Cook County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (CCMEG). Developed, implemented and provided oversight of the Public Integrity Task Force, a task force that investigates allegations of Police Misconduct and investigations of Officer-Involved Shootings (OIS) in Cook County, the nations second largest county. The Task Force has investigated virtually all suburban police department OIS since its inception in 1996.

(2) Degrees and relevant special training:

• St. Joseph's College, (Rensselaer, Indiana), B.S. Political Science, 1970
• American University, (Washington DC), 1971-1972 Graduate studies in Criminal Justice
• University of Illinois at Springfield, (Springfield, IL), 1973 Graduate studies in Criminal Justice
• Certification Force Science Institute
• Certified CALEA Assessor & Team Leader

I have attended extensive law enforcement, management and operational training courses covering a wide array of topics including management programs conducted by the Northwestern University Traffic Institute, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Michigan State University and the Illinois State Police. The cumulative hours of law enforcement training received exceed 3,000 hours.

(3) Other professional activities:

Professional Associations (Past and Current)

• Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Assessor/Team Leader
• International Association of Chiefs of Police
• Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
• South Suburban (Cook County) Chiefs of Police - Executive Board Member
• Illinois State Police Command Officer's Association
• Crimestoppers of Cook County - Executive Board Member
• Lake County (IL) Major Crimes Task Force (Original Formation Committee)
• Metropolitan Enforcement Group - Policy Board Member
• Public Integrity Task Force - Executive Board Member
• Illinois State Police Forensic Services Advisory Board
• Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
• International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association
• Illinois Police Accreditation Coalition
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) - Executive Board Member (Chicago HIDTA)

(4) Retainer information:

Approximate number of times retained by claimant's (plaintiff's) counsel: seventy 70)
Approximate number of times retained by defense counsel: One Hundred Thirty -

(130)

 

(5) Name, address and telephone of attorneys who may be contacted as references:

References furnished upon request.

(6) Publications that contain your paid advertisements (since 1996):

Illinois Legal Directory, SEAK Expert Directory, Expert Pages, Expert.Com, Lex Visio,

Juris Pro

 

(7) Usual and customary fee:

Initial Consultation - No fee
$225.00 Per Hour for, document review, writing of Opinion Report, preparation for and deposition/trial testimony, meeting(s) w/attorney(s), research and other case related work

(8) Areas of Expertise and Experience

Note - Letter codes used in front of the subject mean:

• [T] Testified in court or at depositions on the subject;
• [R] Retained as a consultant, but have not testified on the subject.
• [Q] Qualified to testify or consult on the subject, but have not served as a paid consultant.
  
  [T] Agency policies, practices and customs
  [T] Batons, flashlights and other impact weapons
  [T] Chemical irritants & electrical weapons
  [T] Deadly force; shooting avoidance and alternatives
  [T] Employee dishonesty investigations
  [T] Neck restraints and similar defensive tactics
  [T] Positional restraint asphyxia
  [T] Prisoner transport, restraints, handcuffing and hog-tying
  [T] Retention of a known unfit employee or negligent entrustment of a weapon
  [T] Search and Seizure
  [T] Standards for discipline, internal affairs procedures, (in)adequate punishment
  [R] Use/protection of confidential informants
  [T] Vehicle pursuit & emergency response policies & techniques

(9) Types of cases you will not accept:

There is no specific type of case that I will not accept. All cases will be evaluated on their individual merits prior to final acceptance.

(10) Other information relevant in evaluating your services (publications, awards, achievements, special interests)

I have received numerous awards from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and numerous letters of commendation as an active law enforcement officer. I have also received numerous letters of satisfaction from clients I have consulted for.

I have been retained as an expert in approximately 200 cases in state and federal court. I have testified at approximately 20 trials (State & Federal).

 

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