Security Premises Liability Expert Witness

Education

Formal Education

Associate of Science in Public Social Services (Criminal Justice major) – Thomas A. Edison State College, Trenton, New Jersey.

Special Training And Continuing Education

Completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council’s Private Police Training Course in 1969 and was commissioned by the City of Cleveland, Ohio as a Private Police Officer.  Held a commission through approximately 1985.

Since 1970 have attended and completed well over 100 one to five day training programs, seminars and conferences around the United States on safety, security, and crime prevention. Maintain a personal library of texts and articles on various security issues and topics. Subscribe to several recognized professional journals and periodicals that relate to security and crime prevention.

Academic Appointment / Invited Lectures / Presentations

1994  – 1998 Adjunct Faculty, Cuyahoga Community College, Periodically taught courses in the College’s Security Administration degree program, e.g. Introduction to Loss Prevention, Security Investigations.

1988 – 2001 Guest Lecturer, Cuyahoga Community College, Topics have included:  Security Surveys, Crisis Management Planning, Physical Security, Risk Assessment, etc.

2004 Lecturer, Cleveland State University, Continuing Education Division
Taught two-day course titled Personnel and Physical Security.

Invited Presentations (Selected):
2002, Homeland Energy-Security Symposium – Threat and Risk Evaluation
2002, Ohio Safety Conference – Travel Security
1998, Ohio Bar Association – CLE Presentation  – Premises Liability
1995, Ohio Trial Lawyers Association – Premises Liability
1995, All-Ohio Safety Conference – Workplace Violence
1994, Notre Dame College of Ohio – Workplace Violence (for Faculty/Staff)
1994, Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Lawyers – Premises Liability

Non-Academic Appointment

1995-96 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Served on special sub-committee (Premises Security Liability) to develop security standards and/or guidelines for commercial, retail and housing properties throughout the United States.

Board Certification

Board Certified in Security Management, Designated, after written examination in 1985 by ASIS-International (American Society for Industrial Security), as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP).  Re-certified every three years from 1988 through 2003 (currently re-certified through 2006). Also designated, after written examination, as a Certified Security Consultant (CSC) by the International Association of Professional Security Consultants. Certified through January 2011.

Relevant Professional Experience

1991 – Present W & C, Inc President
Provide consulting services to the management of a variety of businesses, organizations and government agencies on diverse security and crime prevention issues. Also, consult to attorneys on cases involving alleged premises liability for third party crimes (negligent security), with subspecialties in shoplifting “false arrest” / use of force

1985 – 1991 The Standard Oil Company / British Petroleum-America Senior Security Representative, Corporate Security Department Internal consultant on security to all BP-America business groups and subsidiary companies Authored the Corporate Security Manual. Established hiring and training standards for contract security officers, and negotiated national agreements with security guard and armored car companies. Recommended security measures and programs at a wide variety of facilities throughout the United States, assisted in the implementation of those recommendations as appropriate, then audited their effectiveness against crime and other security threats. Modified and expanded the Executive Protection Program to new subsidiary companies around the United States. Conducted complex investigations such as conflict of interest, bribery and kickback, arson, etc.

1979 – 1984 Security Representative, Corporate Security Department
Assessed crime and security risks at various facilities and operations throughout the United States, then recommended appropriate security measures or programs to management. Extensive experience in the retail arena, including gas stations, convenience stores (including shoplifting programs), restaurants, truck stops, motel chains (one of which included bars / lounges); plus, in-depth experience with multi-story office buildings and garages, parking lots in many environments, industrial and petrochemical plants, hi-tech manufacturing facilities, research labs, trucking operations, gold, silver, copper and coal mines, marine shipping and port terminals, and other facilities. Provided executive protection for executives and their families, and special-event program security. Conducted over 300 robbery, burglary, embezzlement, and other criminal investigations

1974 – 1979 Manager, Fraud Control Unit
Supervised three criminal investigators plus support staff, investigating and prosecuting credit card and other frauds against the company. Provided support and training on security issues for retail management, including burglary and employee theft issues
1968 – 1974 Investigator, Fraud Control Unit
Investigated many hundreds of credit card theft and fraud cases in a 14-state retail marketing area. Made physical arrests and/or initiated criminal prosecutions, or took other actions as applicable
1966 – 1968  Credit Investigator/Analyst, Credit Card Center
Litigation Support – Expert Witness Consulting
(1992-Present) Retained by plaintiffs and defendants in over 200 cases
(Approximately 65% plaintiff and 35% defense)
Retained in 31 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, Qualified and/or testified as an expert on security issues in the trial courts of seven states, plus four United States District Courts

Specialized Teaching

Certified by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council to teach the following subjects in the 120 hour Private Security Officers Training Course: Physical Security, Retail Security, Observation/Description, Internal Theft, Testifying, Information Security, Personnel Security, and Crime Prevention.

Civic Service

Advisor, Midtown Corridor Crime Committee, Cleveland, OH, 1982  Working with other security professionals and law enforcement liaison, provided merchants, businesses and area residents advice on reducing crime in a 40-block “crime ridden” corridor of the inner city.
Member, Public Square Security Advisory Committee, Cleveland, OH, 1983 to 1986. Worked with the Cleveland Police Department, Cleveland School Board Security, and the security departments of other affected private businesses to develop public/private security measures in Cleveland’s central area

Professional Memberships

ASIS – International (1980 to present)
International Association of Professional Security Consultants (1992 to present)
2002-Pres.    Board of Directors
1997-1999    Executive Committee / Ethics Committee / Board of Directors
1997-1999    Elected Officer (Treasurer)
1997-Pres.    Co-Chair, Best Practices Committee
1995-1997    Board of Directors
1995-Pres.    Chair, Membership Committee
1993-1995    Membership Committee

Invited Lectures, Presentations Invited Presentations (Selected)

Available upon request