About
retired Chief of Police and Federal Agent with 40 years of Law Enforcement experience in Colorado and the Federal government. Since my retirement in 2024, I have been the Chief Executive Officer / Owner of the Thin Blue Line Consulting Group Ltd.. a court-qualified expert in Law Enforcement / Police Policy and Procedures, Use of Force, Search and Seizure, Firearms and Ballistics, Criminalistics, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Threat Assessment, Crime Analysis, and public safety practices.
JAY S. HIROKAWA
Chief of Police | Public Safety Executive | Law Enforcement Consultant
Jay S. Hirokawa is a nationally recognized law enforcement executive with more than four decades of experience leading police departments, Senior Investigator with federal task forces, and complex crime investigative units. His career is defined by organizational reform, community centered leadership, and the modernization of policing practices across local, state, and federal environments.
As Chief of Police in Hudson, Colorado, Jay transformed a struggling agency into a professional, accountable, community trusted department. He implemented data driven crime reduction strategies, rebuilt the Field Training Program, modernized policies and procedures, and strengthened officer performance and engagement. His leadership earned the Sam Mamet Good Governance Award and executive certification from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police within his first months in office.
Jay later served as Interim Chief of Police in Payson, Arizona, where he stabilized the department during a critical transition, advanced transparency initiatives, and developed a strategic plan aligned with 21st century policing principles. His work emphasized public trust, ethical leadership, and open communication with the community and media.
Before his tenure as Chief, Jay spent seven years with the Denver District Attorney’s Office, ultimately serving Senior Criminal Investigator with the FBI Metro Gang Task Force. He supervised 36 investigators, led complex criminal and civil investigations, and provided prosecutorial expertise in forensics, firearms, gangs, narcotics, and use of force. His earlier federal service with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Federal Air Marshal Service included training more than 370 agents annually in counterterrorism and advanced law enforcement tactics, as well as delivering aviation safety briefings to Members of Congress, Governors, and foreign officials.
Jay began his career with the Aurora Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department, serving in roles including Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Investigator, Electronic Surveillance Technician, SWAT Commander, and Medic. His operational background is complemented by extensive instructional experience in firearms, arrest control, crisis response, and investigative techniques. A US Army Veteran he served as a Combat Medic assigned to the US Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Today, Jay is the CEO of Thin Blue Line Consulting Group, where he provides expert testimony, agency audits, policy reviews, internal investigations, and strategic advisory services to law firms, municipalities, and law enforcement organizations nationwide. He is frequently retained as an expert witness in state and federal courts and serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Policy Center working group. He also contributes to the Opioid Advisory Board for Professional Development, supporting national initiatives to train officers responding to the opioid crisis.
Jay holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Forensics, both from Colorado Technical University, graduating with honors. His distinguished service has been recognized with the Medal of Valor (twice), Purple Heart, Silver Star, multiple Lifesaving Awards, and numerous commendations for investigative excellence, leadership, and community service.
Methodology & Approach
I apply my familiarity with the facts of this case based on my review of the materials identified in the "Reference Material" section of this report. Moreover, my familiarity with the Model Police Policies, Procedures, and Rules of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the Model Policies, Procedures, and Rules of Lexipol, Inc.; Police Executive Research Forum (PERF); and the Basic Academic Principals of Basic Law Enforcement Academies may as applicable, be utilized in forming my opinions. I also maintain familiarity with criminal and civil law and established case law that is relevant to police practices.
I apply my familiarity with current policing news, practices, guidelines, and trends throughout the United States, and I am a member of and regularly attend training from the following: I also volunteer for committees for Policy and studies into the development of best practices in evidence-based policing conferences annually. I have also submitted articles on Law Enforcement procedures and best practices for publication.
Expert Witness Experience
I am a retired Chief of Police and Federal Agent with 40 years of Law Enforcement experience in Colorado and the Federal government. Since my retirement in 2024, I have been the Chief Executive Officer / Owner of the Thin Blue Line Consulting Group Ltd.. I am a court-qualified expert in Law Enforcement / Police and Security Policy and Procedures, Use of Force, Search and Seizure, Firearms and Ballistics, Criminalistics, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Threat Assessment, Crime Analysis, and Public Safety Practices. I have worked as an expert witness in more than 227 cases in 14 states from 1992- present. I have testified on behalf of defendants and plaintiff’s numerous times in the United States District Courts and State and County Courts.
As a Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff, first-line supervisor, and Chief Executive, I have been trained in all aspects of policing, including operational fundamentals of Patrol, Special Operations (SWAT) Investigations, including specialized training in Narcotics, Gang, and Federal Task Force training, enhanced investigations (Title III), use of force investigations, internal affairs investigations, and writing policies and procedures.
I have spent over 30 years as a police trainer and was the training officer for the Federal Air Marshal Service. I understand and have implemented police practices for agencies. Over my career as a law enforcement policy and procedure expert, I have assessed hundreds of police incidents. Many of these incidents involved lethal and non-lethal force, including the use of Firearms, less-lethal weapons and munitions, and hands-on techniques.
I have advised other agencies on the Use of Force and Less Lethal Force options and have written policies on seizures and the use of force.
I have specialized training in Incident Command Systems (ICS) and am certified by FEMA in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) modules ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, and ICS-700. I am certified in crowd control techniques and have held supervisory positions in crowd control command posts and Emergency Operation Centers (EOC). I have also worked undercover in both deep cover and undercover operations, consisting of over 1000 operations.
Law enforcement agencies have retained me to evaluate how officers are trained and their training needs. I have taught agencies and assisted in evidence and policy reviews for audits and accreditations.
Case Types
Criminal, civil, federal, and state civil rights. Negligence
Notable Matters
Matthew Murphy v. Clallam County Law Enforcement Firearms Safety & Practices 01/07/2026 Rpt
Patty Daulton v. Herbal Gardens Wellness Crime Scene Investigation 06/06/2025 Rpt
Christopher Bustos v Filip Perry Use of Force 06/23/2025 Rpt
Jane Doe v. County of Santa Barbara Police Practices & Procedures 05/02/2025 C/
Jacara Thompson, et al. v. Omaha Police Department Police Procedure 05/02/2025 C/
Kristi Mendez v. City of Topeka Police Department Police Procedure 04/29/2025 C/
Alyssa Hiniker v. Maricopa County Sheriff Police Training Academy 04/16/2025 Rpt/Dep
Lovato v. Willner, et al., 22cv02905- PAB-STV Correctional Facilities 03/12/2025 Rpt/IP
In Re: Nany Eaken Breathalyzer Testing 03/05/2025 Rpt/IP
Gregory Bunce, et al. v. Glock, Inc., et al. Firearms Training 02/28/2025 Rpt/IP
Nathaniel Getz, et al. v. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. National Firearms Act 02/11/2025 Rpt/IP
Nathaniel Getz, et al. v. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Firearms Design 02/19/2025 Rpt/IP
Tanisha Smith, et al. v. St. Clair County, et al. Law Enforcement Best Practices 02/06/2025 Rpt/Depo/IP
Jerissa Henio, et al. v. New Mexico State Police Department Dwi Checkpoint Standards 01/30/2025 Rpt/IP
John Bartram v. City of Fountain Police Use Of Force 01/28/2025 Rpt/IP
David Huang, et al. v. Aurora Las Encinas Hospital Police Investigations 01/31/2025 Rpt/IP
Multiple Plaintiffs v. RMA Armament Inc et al Body Armor Purchasing Protocols 12/12/2024 Rpt/IP
Cleveland Texas Home Shooting Customs And Border Protection 11/05/2024 Rpt/IP
Adam Pacheco v. City of Espanola Law Enforcement 10/22/2024 Rpt/IP
Steven Boyd v. Jasper County Law Enforcement Use Of Force 09/17/2024 Rpt/Sett
Matthew Jones v, Joseph Archuleta Police Procedures 05/30/2024 Rpt/IP
Christopher Cotton v. Willian Scholls Firearm Use of Force 05/01/2024 Rpt/IP
Tomasina Hicks Reever v. City of Grandview Missouri Police Use Of Force 04/24/2024 Rpt/Sett
Jane Doe v. Salesforce Inc., et al. Law Enforcement 04/17/2024 Rpt/IP
V.W. v. State of Washington, Department of Children FBI Background Checks 04/10/2024 Rep/ Sett
Jessica Cleavenger, et al. v. Huron County Sheriff Police Procedures 03/29/2024 Rep/Dep/IP
Vu Minh Nguyen, et al. v. Wig Properties LLC, et al. Security 03/06/2024 Report/IP
Jerissa Henio v. New Mexico State Police Department Dwi Checkpoint Standards 01/30/2025 Rep/Dep
Mattia v. Customs and Border Protection Law Enforcement Use of Force 01/17/2024 Report/IP
Loeber v. Napa County Sheriff Veterans Affairs Police Procedures 12/13/2023 RPT/IP
Yareni Rios-Gonzales v. Fort Lupton Sheriff Law Enforcement Policies & Procedures 12/01/2023 Rpt/Sett
Charles Singleton v. City of St. Louis, et al. Police Procedures 11/08/2023 Rpt/Sett
Eric Talavera v. County of San Diego, et al. Sting Operations 11/07/2023 Rpt/IP
Mark Pruyn v. Columbia Police Department Law Enforcement Policies & Procedures 11/01/2023 Rpt/IP
John Doe v. Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., et al. Crime Analysis 10/02/2023 RPT/IP
Multiple Plaintitiffs v Sig Sauer Firearm Design & Engineering 06/20/2023 Rpt/IP
Cristo Canett v El Paso Couty Jail et al Police Procedures 06/07/2023 Rpt/IP
Chelsea Roberts, et al. vs. Nye County Sheriff Police Procedures And Training 03/10/2023 Rpt/IP
Education & Credentials
Education
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science from Colorado Technical University
Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Colorado Technical University.
FBI LEEDA Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Graduate
FBI- Command College Graduate
US Department of Homeland Security/ Supervisory training FLETC management school
Troy University - Psychophysiology, Certified Forensic Examiner
Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Certification
