Paul B Vernon
I am a retired LAPD Captain and FBI National Academy graduate with more than 33 years of experience in police practices, use-of-force review, officer-involved shootings, internal affairs investigations, police misconduct, discipline systems, vehicle pursuit policy, and consent-decree-related accountability practices.
My command experience includes patrol operations, detective operations, gang enforcement, narcotics, vice, media relations, and citywide crime analysis. I served as LAPD’s lead Public Information Officer and later as commanding officer of CompStat Division, where I managed the department’s citywide performance review process and served as the Chief’s crime analyst.
I provide objective, policy-based expert analysis, Rule 26 reports, consultation, and testimony in matters involving officer conduct, supervision, tactics, investigations, use of force, internal affairs, and agency accountability.
My teaching and command background help me prepare clear, accurate, and understandable reports and testimony grounded in real-world law enforcement experience.
- Crime Foreseeability
- Criminology
- Deadly/Excessive Force
- Evidence Analysis & Preservation
- Gangs
- Law Enforcement
- Police Procedures
- Terrorism
- Violent Crimes
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: History, B.A. 1984
Master in Professional Studies (Criminal Justice), MPS (CJ) 2021
FBI National Academy, session 204
Crime and Intelligence Analyst Certificate, CSUF 200 hrs
CA POST: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced; Supervisory; Management - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: International Police Chiefs Association (IACP)
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Lead PIO for major urban police department; designed and taught media relations course; designed and taught internal affairs investigative course; former credential secondary education teacher; taught undergraduate course in crime theory, crime analysis, and policing. Presented a formal use-of-force review boards evaluating critical incidents. Presented at roundtables, community townhalls, law enforcement conferences.
- 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: 2 (1 criminal; 1 civil)
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Use of force, police investigation procedures.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 100% (2 cases)
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: March 2026
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 1
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Rule 26
Expert Opinion
Consulting
Mediation Consulting
Investigations / auditing
On-site evaluations and inspections
Support for counsel during depositions
Deposition and review - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: Initial consultation is no charge. I will begin work with a retainer, usually $5,000, as agreed by the client.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $200 / hour
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $400 / hour (min. 2 hours)
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $400 / hour (min. 2 hours)
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Travel is $100 / hour, billed door to door and capped at $1,300.00 per day, billed separately from retainer.
Flights over two hours are business or first class. Under two hours economy-Plus-separately from the retainer
Premium Accommodations-Hotel or Airbnb- billed separately from the retainer.
Per-diem is $100 per day and is billed separately from the retainer.
Available Upon Request