Dr. Kirkham’s expertise in police standards and procedures includes:
Death and injury resulting from negligent or intentional use of firearms.
Allegations of excessive force.
Fatalities related to suicide in custody, sudden in-custody death, positional asphyxia, excited delirium, and neck restraint holds.
Use of force with police equipment (batons, chemical agents, Tasers, handcuffs, canines, hogtying).
Police recognition of and response to emotionally disturbed persons, including ADA implications.
Crisis intervention involving domestic disputes, threats, drugs, or alcohol.
Safe transportation and monitoring of arrestees.
Frisks, searches, and seizures of persons and property.
Alleged failures to protect (e.g., restraining orders, trespass warnings).
Felony and high-risk vehicle stops, cover-and-contact procedures.
Barricaded suspect tactics (SWAT, ERT, hostage negotiation).
Vehicle pursuits and roadblocks.
First-responder duties at medical emergencies (CPR, medical assistance).
Probable cause and investigative detentions.
Civil rights litigation under 42 U.S.C. §1983 and custom/practice issues.
Internal affairs and criminal investigations of alleged police misconduct.
Negligent selection, retention, training, supervision, and discipline of personnel.
Sexual harassment within police agencies.
Policies, SOPs, and rules/regulations of police departments.
Allegations of biased or partisan police intervention in civil matters.
Standards of neutrality and objectivity in investigations, including disclosure of exculpatory evidence.
Protection of motorists and pedestrians from foreseeable hazards.
DUI checkpoint operations.
Planning and execution of high-risk arrests, warrants, and raids.
Coercive interrogations.
911 and dispatch operations.