Police Practices Expert - Former Chief & Director

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Kevin D. Lutz is a highly experienced senior law enforcement executive with more than 25 years of operational and command-level experience. On January 1, 2024, he was appointed Director of New Jersey’s Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards (OLEPS), becoming the first active law enforcement officer to serve in that role. In this position, he was responsible for statewide law enforcement accountability and internal affairs functions for the New Jersey State Police, as well as the more than 30,000 municipal law enforcement officers across the state. As a police executive with the Camden County Police Department, Mr. Lutz played a central role in the City of Camden’s public safety transformation through initiatives focused on organizational reform, community engagement, training, and accountability, resulting in historic reductions in violent crime. Recognized nationally as a leader in law enforcement innovation and organizational change, he has collaborated with leading public safety organizations and academic institutions, including New York University, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, the Department of Justice, and the Police Executive Research Forum. These collaborations have resulted in the development and delivery of use of force policy and training programs that have since been adopted and modeled by agencies throughout the country, including the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Mr. Lutz regularly hosted benchmarking site visits for law enforcement agencies at the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. In recognition of Camden’s policing model, President Barack Obama visited the Camden County Police Department during the rollout of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing report, which cited the department as a national model. Qualified as an expert witness in the Federal Courts in use of force and defensive tactics, Mr. Lutz has contributed to several national policy and training publications, including New Jersey’s statewide Use of Force policy, Integrating Communications, Assessment, & Tactics (ICAT) de-escalation training guide, a Critical Response Tool-Kit for First-Line Supervisors, and a Suicide by Cop: Protocol & Training Guide. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Lutz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Administrative Science, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police. Throughout his distinguished career, he has received numerous commendations for heroism, bravery, and meritorious service. In addition, he has earned international recognition as a multiple-time Pan-American and World medalist in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Lutz remains actively engaged in advancing police practices, policies, and procedures through teaching and consulting engagements with public and private organizations nationwide.