Member Since: 2024-06-03

RIck is a Private Investigator, working for LAWDOGS Guardian.

Rick is a thirty-year veteran of the Department of Corrections and a decorated combat veteran of the United States Military. His thirty years of combined service included twenty years in supervisory/management roles in a correctional setting, seven years as a Probation & Parole Agent, justice system experience, proven competency in program and policy development, and thirteen years military service including two deployments to Afghanistan.

In his numerous roles within the Department of Corrections (DOC), Rick oversaw daily facility operations, and was assigned responsibility for completing internal investigations, verifying compliance with established protocols and program guidelines, assessing effectiveness of treatment programming, policies, procedures, and post orders, and was responsible for second-step reviews of facility related transactions such as uses of force. 

Rick has organized and conducted emergency response exercises such as Active Shooter Workshops, partnering with local and state emergency responder personnel. He participated in County Emergency Management meetings as a representative of the DOC,  developing and maintaining working relationships, collaborating, and working with various related organizations. As a Probation and Parole Agent, Rick worked closely with community agencies and with the public at large. As a part of his assigned duties, he collaborated with community treatment providers, employment agencies, individual employers, local and county law enforcement officials, and with other criminal justice professionals

During his career with the DOC, Rick was called upon by District Attorneys across the state to present countless hours of sworn testimony specific to corrections procedures within the State. Processes, programs, and related statutory concerns, as well as advising on Community Corrections related topics are examples of subjects Rick was called upon for expert testimony.

Rick has treatment program planning and development experience including coordinating and leading a wholesale change in the Sex Offender Treatment program within Juvenile Corrections. Rick led a multi-disciplinary team to revise the treatment program and related delivery methods that had been in place for the preceding two decades. Areas of improvement included introducing evidence-based theory in program curriculum, course delivery, and staffing of the program.

In his extended experience in supervisory roles within the DOC, Rick was responsible for interpreting and enforcing statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. He has experience planning, scheduling, assigning, and directing the work of a large workforce including evaluation of staff performance and other personnel practices and procedures such as hiring and disciplinary matters.  He has a great deal of training and experience resolving employee disputes, conducting internal investigations and completing follow-on personnel actions.

Rick has broad experience preparing professional written communication including Pre-sentence Investigations (PSI), and has been formally commended for his skills on multiple occasions. Rick has completed countless PSIs, many for high profile cases, and has been issued written commendations by Circuit Court Judges for exceeding the writing standards of 60% of the legal professionals that appeared before that Court.

In 2010, Rick was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for actions while in Afghanistan, for excellence in written communications, setting the standard for Significant Action (SIGACT) reporting. As a program supervisor Rick had broad experience preparing communication for review by executive leadership, drafting reports for internal review and for submission to community stakeholders.

As a senior non-commissioned officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard (WIARNG), a decorated combat veteran of two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and a long-time supervisor within the WI DOC, Rick is known as a detail-oriented performer and a passionate advocate for the people he is entrusted to serve, staff and clients alike.