John McLaughlin, CEO

John McLaughlin brings extensive law enforcement and private industry leadership experience to the firm. Mr. McLaughlin was a highly decorated police officer for a Southern California police agency for nearly 15 years. He has over 2500 hours of specialized training in domestic violence investigations, stalking and inappropriate pursuit, workplace violence prevention, computer technology, and many other areas of law enforcement. Mr. McLaughlin has established himself as an effective leader within the business community. Having owned and operated private businesses, Mr. McLaughlin demonstrated his leadership skills in dealing with issues that face corporate America daily.

Academically, Mr. McLaughlin has studied criminal justice, psychology, and  business management.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University (Cum Laude).  Additionally, he is currently completing a Masters in Business Administration at Pepperdine University and will graduate in Summer 2008.  He is also attending the University of Southern California, completing a Masters of Social Work at the same time.  In fact, Mr. McLaughlin is often refered to by his professors as a "market maker", a "visionary" and a "gifted leader".

Mr. McLaughlin has significant specialized training in the areas of domestic violence, workplace violence, stalking, inappropriate pursuit, public figure protection, and specialized investigations. He is a graduate of the Threat Assessment and Management Academy and attended the Advance Threat Assessment and Management Academy in 2001. He has attended training provided by Central Intelligent Agency experts on truthfulness recognition. Mr. McLaughlin received specialized training from Dr. James McGee and Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Dave Grossman, Ph.D., both leading psychologists on the issues of threat assessment.

He participated in specialized training conducted by Dr. Raymond Zilinskas, Senior Scientist, Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. The training was entitled: “Thwarting Biocriminality by Improving Decision-making: Progressing from Threat Assessment to Risk Assessment.” This training also included weapons of mass destructions, and biological and chemical weapons.

Mr. McLaughlin has received various awards and recognition in both his law enforcement career and his private business career. These awards have been for the commitment, leadership and dedication he has shown throughout his professional life. The Orange County District Attorneys Office recognized Mr. McLaughlin for his ability, professionalism, sensitivity and compassion in dealing with victims of domestic violence in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He has received several awards for his leadership during his private business endeavors. These awards include: a business leadership of the year award in 2000, marketing excellence awards in 1999 and 2000, and a prestigious award for obtaining a 99.5% client satisfaction rating for five consecutive years (1997-2001).

Mr. McLaughlin was co-creator of a domestic violence risk assessment program that is currently being used in family law courts throughout Southern California. This program assists Judges, Commissioners, Attorneys, and Mental Health providers in determining risk levels to involved parties where serious domestic violence allegations are present. With Mr. McLaughlin’s expertise in domestic violence, he is recognized as a valuable tool in these difficult and potentially lethal cases.

Mr. McLaughlin has authored several articles on domestic violence, stalking, and teen dating violence. He has also provided continuing education for attorney’s specializing in family law matters, along with law enforcement officers on the issues of domestic violence, stalking, and proper investigation techniques.

Mr. McLaughlin has been personally involved in several high profile criminal, civil and family law cases involving allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, kidnapping, and other serious allegations. He has been involved in the successful threat assessment and management of hundreds of cases. This includes personally interviewing thousands of victims, witnesses and suspects of violent acts.

Mr. McLaughlin is a licensed private investigator in the State of California. Additionally, he is a member of Gavin de Becker Threat Assessment Practitioner Group, the leading threat assessment and management group in the United States. Through this membership, he brings the availability of the leading experts in all areas of threat assessment and management. He is, also, an active member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.

He has testified in criminal, civil and family law courts, as an expert witness on the issues of domestic violence, threat assessment, safety and security. Mr. McLaughlin has consulted attorneys for numerous law enforcement agencies on issues related to civil liability and criminal legal proceedings.

Mr. McLaughlin is actively involved in several charitable organizations, along with his local community church.

Mr. McLaughlin’s commitment to safety, security, privacy, protection and preventing violence, along with his dedication to client’s satisfaction and safety make him a leader in the industry.