Meet the blueprints 4 safety Team

James B. Golden, Jr. has worked in law enforcement for more than 40 years, and was appointed Trenton, New Jersey’s first civilian Police Director in 2000. He began his career with the Philadelphia, PA Police Department where he held the ranks of police officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, and served as the department’s Executive Officer from 1992 until his retirement in 1996. In Trenton, he set a new strategic direction for community-based policing, working in a true partnership with citizens to reduce the fear and incidence of crime. Collaborating with the community and rank and file officers, he re-engineered the department in a way that enabled police officers and citizens to identify and solve problems at the neighborhood level. This strategy led to a reduction in serious crime in several troubled neighborhoods in the city. Prior to Trenton, he served as the first African American chief of police for the City of Saginaw, Michigan.

In July 2022, US Department of Justice (COPS Office) appointed Mr. Golden to serve on the Critical Incident Review (CIR) team of subject matter experts to conduct a review of the May 24, 2022 mass shooting attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. The goal of the review is to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and responses; identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events; and provide a roadmap for community safety and engagement before, during, and after such incidents. The observations, lessons learned, and recommendations contained in the report are based on national standards and best and emerging practices in the field of policing, current research, community expectations, and innovative solutions tailored to the critical incident review.

As a training consultant for Strategies for Youth, Inc. (SFY), a Cambridge, MA nonprofit organization devoted to improving police/youth interactions and advancing the cause of training public safety officers in the science of child and youth development and mental health, Mr. Golden has served as a presenter for SFY’s ‘Policing the Teen Brain’ training program in cities and school districts, including Omaha, NE, Spokane, WA, Santa Ana, CA, San Francisco, CA, Contra Costa County, CA, Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Vancouver, WA, Columbus, OH, Macon, GA, Salt Lake City and Ogden, UT, and the Maine School Safety Council. Additionally, he has served as an expert witness in civil actions related to police patrol operations and school safety in Missouri, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Georgia.

In 2013-14, Mr. Golden led the Trenton Forward Election Committee as a candidate for Mayor in Trenton’s municipal election, narrowly missing the run-off. His extensive background in municipal government, and proven record of achievement in raising the level of public safety in several jurisdictions, including Trenton, were key pillars of his campaign platform.

In 2005, Mr. Golden was appointed to the School District of Philadelphia as Chief Safety Executive, leading a staff of more than seven hundred employees responsible for creating and sustaining a safe learning environment for 200,000 students and staff. He retired from the School District in 2010.

In 2002, Mr. Golden was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to serve as the first Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Philadelphia International Airport. In the roll-out of this brand-new federal security agency, he hired and led a staff of more than eight hundred employees and was responsible for a full range of federal aviation security, including passenger and baggage screening, regulatory compliance, and law enforcement.

Mr. Golden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Philadelphia University and has completed graduate courses in management at the University of Virginia at Quantico. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police at the Police Executive Research Forum, and the Temple University Public Service Management Institute.

Mr. Golden is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and a Past President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). He served as vice-chairman of the board of trustees for Crime Stoppers of Greater Trenton, vice-chairman of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, and is a former member of Princeton Community Church, where he served on the Leadership Team. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the Delaware Social Justice Remembrance Coalition. Mr. Golden has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, and has presented at several area colleges, including Princeton and Rutgers-Newark Universities, sharing his career experiences and views on organizational leadership, school safety, and 21st century policing in America. 

Mr. Golden and his wife, Victoria, are natives of Philadelphia, PA, and have recently relocated to central Delaware. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Chief (Ret.) / Biometric Technology Consultant for Law Enforcement  

Bill Casey is an accomplished Law Enforcement Executive. Currently, Bill is a consultant who specializes in biometric technology for law enforcement. Recently he has held positions as a Vice President in charge of Strategic Opportunities for ANDE, a rapid DNA company, and Director of Physical and IT Security for the Harvard University Police Department. Most notably, he worked at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS), where he served as the Unit Chief for the Biometrics Center of Excellence. The BCOE had a mission to further the use of biometrics in government and public safety. While with the FBI, he also served on a detail assignment as the Chief of Staff and Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the First General Manager of FirstNet. FirstNet was created by the Federal Government to provide a Broadband Network for First Responders, which was a recommendation of the 9-11 Commission.

Bill began his law enforcement career as an officer for the Boston Police Department (BPD) in 1983; he subsequently rose through the ranks of the Boston Police and retired as a Deputy Superintendent. He was a member of the Command Staff for approximately twenty years, including the time frame of September 11, 2001. During most of his time frame on the Command Staff, he was the Commanding Officer of the Information Technology Division (ITD), which included the city of Boston’s 9-1-1 Center. As head of ITD, he was responsible for the procurement, maintenance and operation of the Department’s IT and Telecommunications Units. During his tenure, the City gained international renown as an innovator in utilizing IT in law enforcement. The BPD spearheaded initiatives to introduce mobile computing to the fleet; deploying one of the first integrated Identification and Imaging applications as well as a prototype ballistics imaging system, which became the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). 

While at the BPD, Casey also served as a member of various technical committees for the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He was also involved and served as the Chair of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Advisory Policy Board. He also Chaired the NIBIN Executive Board when it was jointly managed by the FBI and ATF. In these roles, Casey was actively engaged in public safety efforts in Washington, such as to obtain spectrum for a nationwide public safety broadband network, to enhance the use of technology and biometrics in law enforcement, along with other public safety projects and initiatives. 

Prior to joining the Boston Police Department, Bill was an aviation electronics technician with the U.S. Navy. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctorate (JD) from New England School of Law. He presently serves on the Board of Trustees and Corporation for his Law School.

Andrew Boan is a Police Officer with over forty years combined experience and is currently with the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General as a Law Enforcement Lieutenant. Prior to this, he spent the last ten years of his time with the City of Miami Police Department as a Sergeant of Police with experience in planning, developing, and implementing programs with the Internal Affairs Section. During the first thirty years at the City of Miami Police Department, he was assigned to Field Patrol as a Police Officer, Detective in the Burglary and Larceny Unit, Detective in the Homicide Unit, Police Officer in the Mounted Patrol Unit, Detective in the Internal Affairs Section, Sergeant in the Field Patrol Division, Sergeant in the Internal Affairs Section, and Lieutenant of the Internal Investigations Unit of the Internal Affairs Section.  

Andrew attained a Master of Science degree in Business Administration/International Real Estate and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University and an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice degree from Miami-Dade College. He is also a member of various organizations such as the National Realtors Association, The Palms at Kendall HOA Board of Directors (President), Fraternal Order of Police Miami Lodge 20, Miami Police Veterans Association, Florida Police Benevolent Association, National Internal Affairs Investigators Association, and The City of Miami Police Department Police Reserve Program. Lastly, he retains multiple certifications including FDLE Certified Police Instructor, Firearms, High Liability and First Aid Trauma Instructor, as well as being a FDLE certified instructor in the following areas from 1986-2011: Mounted Police Instructor, Ethics and Professionalism Instructor, Line Supervision Instructor, and Internal Affairs Instructor. 

Andrew has vast experience in project development, as exemplified in his achievements over forty years of experience in the field. Some of his achievements are as follows: 

• Lead Investigator and Lead Supervisor of Police Involved Shootings, In-Custody Death and Criminal Prosecuted Internal Affairs Cases.
• Investigated complex criminal cases involving other City of Miami Departments as supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit.
• Created new departmental procedures manual (I.A. Section SOP and Departmental Orders).
• Assessed organizational training needs for the Internal Affairs Section.
• Completed monthly reconciliation financial report for the I.A. Impress Account to submit to the City of Miami.
• Law Enforcement Lieutenant for the Attorney General ‘s Office, investigated Medicaid fraud criminal cases involving “kickbacks” and financial records. Conducted covert, undercover investigations to uncover ongoing crimes and crimes in progress.

Leadership Coach David Bernat is an accomplished professional athlete and a member of the elite B4S 1% club which are those that have achieved such high athletic and leadership achievement that are in the 1% of all athletes/leaders nationwide. David played professional  baseball for the Seattle Mariners. He is also is a seasoned law enforcement professional as an accomplished individual with a diverse journey. He is currently assigned as the detective sergeant for the Violent Crimes Unit. He graduated from Barry University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, he initially  showcased his athletic prowess when drafted in the 26th round of the 2002 MLB draft, by the Seattle  Mariners. This led to an invitation to the Mariners’ Instructional League in the same year.  Transitioning to collegiate baseball in 2004, David’s dedication and skill earned him recognition as an All  Sunshine State Conference Player of the year. In 2007, he took on a new chapter, signing as a free agent  with the Kansas City Royals and ascending to their Double-A (AA) team. 

Parallel to his sports endeavours, David has been a steadfast public servant, joining the City of Miami  Police Department in 2008. His roles have been diverse, ranging from Detective in the Special  Investigation Section (Criminal Gang Intelligence) to a supervisor in Internal Affairs Anti-Corruption Unit.  He further contributed as a Task Force Supervisor for the United States Marshals – Florida Caribbean  Fugitive Task Force, and Sergeant in the Overtown neighborhood within the Central  District, showcasing his commitment to ensuring community safety. David’s journey reflects a  remarkable blend of athleticism, education, and dedicated service to the Miami community. 

As a leadership coach, David is well positioned to assist clients through the journey of developing a solid foundation and refined skills to not only achieve excellent test results but; moreover a leadership platform to achieve superior and sustainable academic and career results.