Mr. Michael J. Canaan, CPP
Trident Investigative Service, Inc.
PO Box 5909
Kent, WA 98064
Kent, WA 98064
Office: 253-852-7000
Introduction
Michael J. Canaan, CPP, is a forensic security premises liability expert with over 45 years of experience spanning professional security, investigations, military service, and law enforcement. He has been retained in more than 100 state and federal matters involving negligent security and premises liability, including cases involving assaults, shootings, stabbings, robberies, sexual assaults, homicides, excessive force, unlawful detention, and security system failures, and has provided sworn testimony in 18 depositions and four trials. Mr. Canaan evaluates security programs against accepted industry standards, including hiring, training, supervision, staffing, deployment, policies and procedures, and physical security systems. His opinions are grounded in established professional standards, empirical evidence, and recognized best practices.
Areas of Expertise
- Bars/Lounges/Night Clubs
- Crime Foreseeability
- Deadly/Excessive Force
- Hotel Security
- Inadequate/Negligent Security
- Parking Lots/Garages
- Premises Liability
- Security Guards
- Special Event Security
- Workplace Violence
Expert Background
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: CERTIFICATIONS:
Board Certified in Security Management—Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation, American Society for Industrial Security—International in June 1997.
LICENSES:
United States – Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Number RC0257***
United States – Federal Communications Commission, Extra Class Amateur Radio License KF7IUP
State of Washington – Board of Pharmacy Registration Number 56558
State of Washington – Private Investigation Agency Number 601 295 780
State of Washington – Armed Private Investigator Number 178
State of Washington – Registered Process Server Number 9403825
State of Washington – Department of Veterans Affairs Registration 4BA6F46C
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) courses IS-15, 100, 120, 200, 230, 240, 241, 244, 250, 253, 265, 288, 300, 394, 400, 454, 632, 660, 700, 706, 800, 906, 907, 910, 914, 915, 916, 920, and 922
Sport Event Risk Management (AWR 167)
All-hazards Communications Unit Leader (COM-L)
All-hazards Communications Unit Technician (COM-T)
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERTIFIED CROWD MANAGER – Emergency Management Group – Washington
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: American Society for Industrial Security—International (ASIS)
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
Pacific Northwest Association of Investigators (PNAI)
Pacific Northwest Network of Forensic Expert Witnesses (PN2FEW)
World Association of Detectives (WAD)
Seattle Shield, Seattle Police Department
InfraGard, Federal Bureau of Investigation - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: 90+
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Inadequate or Negligent Security
Foreseeability
Security Standard of Care
Voyeurism
Homicide / Wrongful Death
Assault / Battery
Shootings
Stabbing
Robbery
Workplace Violence
Sexual Assault
Unreasonable, Excessive, or Wrongful Use of Force
Invasion of Privacy
Unlawful Imprisonment / Violation of Civil Rights
Hiring / Screening / Retention
Inadequate Policies and Procedures
Inadequate Investigation and Recordkeeping
Inadequate Training and Supervision
Improper Deployment
Unsafe Working Conditions
Breach of Duty / Failure to Protect
Failure to Monitor
Improper or Inadequate Installation of Security Hardware
Invasion of Privacy - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Approximately 30%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Approximately 75%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 16
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2025
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 4
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 4
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 20+
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Assessments
Investigations
Surveys
Consulting
Review
Site Inspections
Testing - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $525
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $525
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $525
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $525
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Mileage and travel expenses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
References
References available upon request.