Dr. Geoffrey Alpert has been conducting research on high-risk police activities for more than 25 years, and has published more than 100 journal articles and 15 books. His book is Understanding Police Use of Force: Officers, Suspects, and Reciprocity (with R. Dunham) and was published in 2005 by Cambridge University press. Geoff recently completed a major study on police officer decision making funded by the National Institute of Justice, and an investigation of racial profiling for the Miami-Dade County, Florida Police Department. He is working on a use of force study that focuses on less-lethal technology and the effectiveness of their applications. Geoff routinely provides commentary for the national networks’ evening news programs and morning talk shows. Geoff is a founding board member, began serving in 2007.

 

 

Attorney Robert L. Bastian, Jr. Throughout their practice which began in 1994, Rob and his partner, Marina R. Dini, have represented victims of police misconduct and neglect, jailhouse abuse and unlawful discrimination. Their cases include false imprisonments, malicious prosecutions and uses of excessive force, including improper shootings and beatings. The prison abuse cases include guard on inmate rapes, preventable inmate on inmate rapes, preventable suicide and failure to provide adequate medical care. The discrimination cases include discrimination based upon race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and HIV+ status. High profile cases handled by Bastian & Dini include Tulumis v. California and Dillard v. Decker, which concerned abuse at Corcoran prison as reported extensively in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, and on CBS's 60 Minutes.

 

Bastian & Dini has litigated in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California, Northern District of Georgia and Eastern District of Louisiana. Additionally, Rob has appeared before the 5th, 9th and 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals as well as the 2nd, 4th and 5th Appellate Districts of the California Courts of Appeal. Rob is a recipient of the Stephen Donaldson Award, "For Helping Raise Public Awareness To Halt The Sexual Torture of Men, Women & Children in U.S. Correctional Institutions," presented by Stop Prisoner Rape. Rob is a founding board member, began serving in 2007.

 

Ret. Chief Timothy "Tim" Dolan continues to do consulting and board work for programs in Minneapolis, De La Salle High School, and the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C., organization that advises law enforcement agencies on policing issues.

 

He also volunteers for other causes such as reasonable gun control measures.

 

"It's always been a passion of mine," Dolan said of gun control. "I worked at it quite a bit as chief, and there's a lot of work still to be done."

 

He is working with Protect Minnesota, which works with the Joyce Foundation in Chicago and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington, D.C. For more on Tim's work to end gun violence, click here.

 

Tim served the citizens of Minneapolis for over six years, retiring Nov. 2, 2012. He was appointed January 1, 2007 and reappointed March 12, 2010. He served as Interim Chief from April 2006 to December 21, 2006. His formal education includes: Graduate of De LaSalle High School, BA Sociology & Criminal Justice and a MA Public Administration from University of St. Thomas. A Graduate of the FBI National Academy and Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Policing, Chief Dolan's past positions include Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Commander of Fourth Precinct, Commander Minneapolis/Hennepin County Narcotics Task Force, Commander MPD Narcotics, Director of MPD Training, and Commander of the MPD SWAT Unit, as well as Coordinator of the International Association of Chief’s of Police Conference, Superbowl Task Force, and Project Leader for development and implementation of CAPRS (automated record management system).

During tenure as chief, the department has seen historic declines in violent and Part I crimes. The department has also won international recognition and awards for its efforts in juvenile justice, community policing partnerships, downtown business partnerships, and other crime reduction initiatives. The department takes great pride in its successes to deal with the 35W Bridge Collapse, Cedar Rapids flooding, and the Republican National Convention during the last four years.

Previous Secretary for the Police Executive Research Forum and Chair of the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. Chief Dolan began serving on PursuitSAFETY's advisory board August 2011.

He and his wife of 30 years plus have four sons.

 

Jonathan Farris serves as the chairman of the Professional Advisory Board.

 

Jon is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is the owner of InsuranceRescue Services, LLC, a P&C insurance consultancy. During Jon’s 35-year insurance career, he has held numerous insurance management and officer positions for regional, super-regional, national and international insurers. He has extensive experience in both personal and commercial insurance, including underwriting, sales, marketing, product development, pricing, regulatory compliance, internal audit, system development, corporate communications, commercial loss control and premium auditing.

Jon's consulting clients have included managing general agencies, national independent agencies, insurance companies, FAIR Plans and partnerships with litigation teams as an expert witness.

 

Jon’s oldest son Paul was killed in 2007—the innocent victim of another unnecessary high-speed police chase. Since that time Jon has been an active advocate for changing police pursuit laws across the United States. Jon is also a cancer survivor and has been a mentor for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Visit PaulFarris.org to learn more about Jon's son Paul.

 

 

Ret. Captain Thomas "Tom" Gleason's passion for law enforcement training led him to the position of coordinator of the Law Enforcement Academy for the Florida Public Safety Institute from 2006 to 2009. He now instructs for Florida Public Safety Institute, North Florida Community College, and Alert International. He teaches in the areas of human diversity, patrol procedures, first aid, firearms, police pursuit policies, diversity in education, introduction to education, and handling the mentally ill. He served 30 years in city, county, and state law enforcement. Tom is a member of the Valor Law Enforcement Group.

In 2009, Tom accepted a position as captain in charge of training and acquisitions with the Florida Department of Financial Services. He became responsible for developing and overseeing training for the 150 detectives working throughout the state of Florida who investigate insurance fraud. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from Sig. Sauer 9 MM to Glock .40 caliber.

Tom holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He has published two articles dealing with police training and domestic violence. In 2000, he was chosen as part of a team to teach the course “Dynamics of Domestic Violence” to Moldavian police officers and volunteers. Ret. Captain Gleason began serving on PursuitSAFETY's advisory board April 2012.

 

Tom's son Brian was killed in the line of duty as a Military Police Officer when the patrol car he was a passenger in ran off the road and hit a curve. Tom states: "When my son was killed, I made a commitment to do what I could to see if I could keep any other parent from hearing the same horrible news." Tom speaks to officers about Brian's death.

 

Candy Priano is the founder and executive director of Voices Insisting on PursuitSAFETY. Candy has spoken on the dangers of police pursuits and the increasing number of innocent people killed as a result of these chases for media outlets, civic and law enforcement groups, and educational venues. She has an open line of communication to people who experience the tragedy of pursuit. She responds to every email and phone call she receives from victims and family members left behind. For Candy, it began when a teenage driver fleeing from police T-boned the Prianos' minivan where her daughter Kristie was sitting. Candy, her husband Mark and son Steve were injured. Kristie died as a result of it. Candy's advocacy continues because each and every week police chases kill other innocent bystanders. She has spoken before California senate hearings on behalf of "Kristie’s Law," a proposed measure to eliminate unnecessary chases and allow chases for violent felons and Amber Alert suspects. Candy is an associate member of ALERT International (Association of Professional Law Enforcement Emergency Vehicle Response Trainers International), holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Valparaiso (Indiana) University, and is a member of Chico Toastmasters. Candy is a founding board member, began serving in 2007.

 

Police Chief Richard Schardan believes in sharing his experience in law enforcement and emergency services with PursuitSAFETY to benefit the citizens and police officers throughout the country. Rich serves as chief of police for the Village of Maryville, a position he has held since 2003. Previously, he was with the Granite City (Illinois) Police Department for over 25 years and retired as a captain. 

 

Rich is the program administrator for the PursuitSAFETY Safer Way Award. The Safer Way Award recognizes officers and law enforcement departments/agencies that take steps to improve the safety of pursuits for all, but especially for innocent bystanders and police officers.

 

Rich is a new police chief mentor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a certified instructor for the Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board. During his career, he spent 16 years as a member of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis from 1986 until his retirement in June 2002. During this time, he held the rank of deputy commander and received the Colonel Robert G. Lowery, Sr. "Award of Excellence" on March 22, 2002 “for many years of outstanding and dedicated service” and “the reputation as one of the area’s most respected police commanders.” Early in his career, Rich was assigned to work drug enforcement with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois for over five years reaching the rank of deputy director.   

He also holds a Master’s Degree in Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in the Administrative of Justice. In 2006, he became a Certified Chief of Police through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police by meeting the required experience and education while successfully completing a written and oral examination. He is a member of the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association.

 

In addition to the Colonel Robert G. Lowery, Sr. “Award of Excellence," Rich has received many honors, including 30 commendations (nine for performance and 21 for attendance) and eight letters of recognition while with the Granite City Police Department; 31 letters of appreciation from various police agencies and community organizations; and Distinguished Graduate from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Leadership roles include vice chairman of the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) Advisory Board, and he holds board member positions with the following institutions: the Southwestern Illinois College Administration of Justice Advisory Board, the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy Advisory Board, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) Advisory Policy Board. Rich joined the PursuitSAFETY Professional Advisory Board in June 2010.

 

Other roles: Past Adjunct Faculty, Southwestern Illinois College; Instructor, Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC); Board Member, Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board; and Board Member, Law Enforcement Foundation of Illinois.  Chief Schardan began serving on PursuitSAFETY's advisory board June 2010.

 

Ret. Police Chief D.P. Van Blaricom is a career police officer and retired police chief (Bellevue, WA) who is actively engaged as a police practices expert throughout the United States in 1,700+ matters of civil litigation; for both plaintiffs and defense. Prevailing party’s expert in appellate decisions from 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th 10th Circuits; State Supreme Courts of AK, AZ, CO, ID, MT, MS, OR, WA; Appeals Courts of AZ, CA, FL, GA, WA. Recipient of the U.S. Justice Department’s Award for Public Service and holds a security clearance from the U.S. Government. For CV (pdf) click here.

 

Professional Memberships: American Academy of Forensic Sciences, International Association of Chiefs of Police (Life), Americans for Effective Law Enforcement and Certified as (police) Litigation Specialist, FBI National Academy Associates, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, Association of Professional Law Enforcement Emergency Vehicle Response Trainers International. Van is a founding board member, began serving in 2007.