Barrett Critical Incident Consulting
Independent Use of Force & Decision-Making Analysis
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Independent, Evidence-Driven Analysis for Police-Practice Litigation
Independent, Evidence-Driven Analysis for Police-Practice Litigation
Barrett Critical Incident Consulting provides independent analysis of police practices, investigative procedures, and supervisory oversight for attorneys handling civil rights, municipal defense, and criminal defense matters.
The focus of this work is not advocacy or outcome justification, but an objective assessment of law enforcement actions measured against established industry standards and constitutional boundaries. Whether evaluating a rapidly evolving use-of-force incident or auditing a complex investigative file—including warrant affidavit sufficiency, probable cause development, and supervisory review—each case is analyzed strictly through the lens of accepted police training, policy, and Fourth Amendment compliance.
I am an active law enforcement supervisor with 17 years of operational and administrative experience spanning patrol, detention operations, criminal investigations, and major crimes supervision. My day-to-day responsibilities include the active review, auditing, and quality control of complex investigative files, warrant affidavits, and field-level officer decisions.
Additionally, my background includes the formal review and investigation of officer-involved shootings, critical incidents involving force, and other major criminal investigations. This comprehensive supervisory experience informs my ability to analyze law enforcement actions from the perspective of the decision-maker, evaluate compliance with constitutional standards, and maintain strict professional independence and objectivity throughout the process.
Role as a Consultant
Role as a Consultant
My role is to analyze, not to advocate.
I do not determine ultimate legal conclusions, opine on intent, or frame opinions to support a desired outcome. Instead, my work focuses on explaining how decisions unfolded in real time, identifying critical decision points, and evaluating those decisions within the context of known human performance limitations, training principles, and investigative standards.
This approach is designed to assist counsel in understanding what matters, when it matters, and why certain facts carry more weight than others in litigation.
Independence & Objectivity
Independence & Objectivity
I work with attorneys on both sides of the bar and maintain strict professional independence. Opinions are formed on a case-by-case basis and are grounded solely in the evidence reviewed and the application of accepted analytical principles.
This neutrality is essential to credibility and to providing analysis that withstands scrutiny in deposition and testimony.
When to Involve Me
When to Involve Me
I am most effective when engaged early, during case evaluation and strategy development, where independent analysis can clarify whether a use of force issue is central or peripheral, defensible or vulnerable.
I also provide litigation support throughout the life of a case, including report preparation, deposition support, and testimony when appropriate.
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