In March of 2007 I made the decision to start my private investigative agency, Brooks Consulting and Investigations. After retiring from a twenty-six year police career in January of 2006 I took some time away from that line of work. I managed a large automotive repair business and tow service. While it was a great opportunity to learn how to run a business I was routinely contacted by people about investigative matters like locating people and property owners. I did some of these when time permitted to help friends and those investigations were the catalyst for this business.
During my twenty-one years as Chief of Police for Wellton I did all sorts of investigations, from shoplifting to homicide. I reviewed the investigations of my officers and worked with other agencies in their investigations. In 1985 with the assistance of two other local agencies I was involved in the first, “reverse undercover” drug sales case in Yuma County. That case led to five arrests and the closing of a dangerous bar in Wellton. In 1989 I assisted with one of the largest immigration fraud investigations in the United States. My information provided literally a room full of documents, several key witnesses and ultimately the conviction of all the defendants in the case. While these cases may appear old, there were a result of the foundation of what I believe in for an investigator, talk to everyone, do it right the first time, and be thorough. I maintain that focus today. I a proud to say that during my career I lost only one felony jury trial, I never had a confession or any type of search suppressed by the courts. I believe that was because I understand the legal concepts of the issue at hand and follow the law. Now I am in position to do some that I never could as Chief and that is focus on investigations only, no meetings or other distractions.
My police career also opened the door for me to do a great deal of training. I was certified by the State of Arizona as instructor. I hold a variety of instructor ratings in firearms, defense tactics, interview and interrogation, supervisory issues and training. I served on the subject matter expert committee for Arizona peace officers and helped re-write the general instructor program for the state. I was responsible for the training liability portions of that program. I served as an instructor at Arizona Western College Law Enforcement Training Academy for twelve years. I have the ability to differentiate between a supervisory issue, a training issue and a personnel issue.
In 2003 at the request of a major copper company in Arizona I met with their director of security and prepared over forty hours of training for the security department. This training covered, laws of arrest, criminal law, civil liability, inter-personal communications, interviewing, crime scene preservation and investigation and drug-awareness. This training was designed specifically for the local needs of the company.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arizona in Law Enforcement Administration and a wide variety of specialized training. I served as the Emergency Services Director for the Town of Wellton during my tenure as Chief of Police.
Matt Brooks
Owner