Scot Haug is a public safety consultant and expert witness based in Post Falls, Idaho. A retired chief of police with more than 30 years as a sworn officer, Scot Haug founded Public Safety Insight to help agencies, schools and attorneys with police practices, use of force, school safety, emergency communications and public safety technology.
Scot Haug served in law enforcement in the Northern Idaho area and retired as chief of police of the Post Falls Police Department. While chief, he was elected to two terms as president of the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and was appointed by the governor to multi year terms on the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission.
He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 201, 2000) and has served on multiple International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) committees addressing technology. He has also reviewed grant applications for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Scot Haug has long been known for putting technology to work in policing. He was an early adopter of license plate reader technology in his region and has worked with dozens of agencies on body worn camera programs. He has taught best practice classes on use of force, officer safety and technology, and he co presented the first Below 100 officer safety class in January 2011, serving as a core trainer for several years.
Through Public Safety Insight, he provides expert witness and litigation consulting, consulting for law enforcement agencies and technology vendors, and webinars, podcasts and videos. His work has been quoted or published in outlets including Police Magazine, Law Officer Magazine and The Atlantic.
Scot Haug advises public agencies and organizations on public safety operations, including policy, training, supervision and the technology that officers and dispatchers rely on. That perspective helps agencies strengthen their programs and helps attorneys evaluate police and public safety practices in litigation.
Schools need security that protects students and staff without turning campuses into prisons. Scot Haug helps districts and private schools with safety assessments, emergency planning, threat assessment, communications and training, drawing on lessons learned from real incidents and current best practice.
In litigation, Scot Haug reviews the record, the property or the incident and gives attorneys a clear, independent opinion on whether security measures met the accepted standard of care. That work can include case review, site inspections, written reports, deposition and trial testimony. Attorneys on both the plaintiff and defense side use this kind of review to understand foreseeability, what reasonable security looked like at the time and whether a failure contributed to the harm. You can also browse other expert witness consultants in the directory.
Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. Scot Haug reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.
Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.
Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.
Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. Scot Haug explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.
Scot Haug works with law enforcement agencies, school districts, public safety technology companies, municipalities and plaintiff and defense attorneys. Expert witness topics include police practices, use of force, de escalation, body worn cameras, school safety, 911 and emergency communications, digital evidence, policy and training, supervision and organizational leadership. Public Safety Insight has served or partnered with organizations including NHTSA, the National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Justice and IACP.
If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as Scot Haug can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.
Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets Scot Haug give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.
Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.
A good consultant will welcome these questions. Scot Haug can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.
The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.
An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.
Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.
Yes. Scot Haug is based in Post Falls, Idaho, and works with agencies, schools and attorneys across the United States. Reach out with the location and scope of your project or case to discuss availability.
Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask Scot Haug for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.
A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.
Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Public Safety Insight. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.
Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, Scot Haug recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.
A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, Scot Haug can quickly suggest the right next step.
Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact Scot Haug, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.
If you are comparing several consultants, you can also request proposals from vetted security consultants, or read our physical security assessment cost guide before you decide.
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