David Heptinstall

About David Heptinstall

Experienced law enforcement professional with a proven history of service in government administration and public safety. Retired from the Haines City Police Department after a distinguished career marked by operational leadership, strategic planning, and officer development. Highly skilled in law enforcement operations, emergency management, intelligence-led policing, tactical response, and critical incident stress management.Graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, with advanced training in organizational leadership, command decision-making, and complex problem solving. Provided oversight and command-level leadership for multiple specialized units, including Traffic Enforcement, K9 Operations, and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), ensuring operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and officer safety.Certified Internal Affairs Investigator and Background Investigator with extensive experience in administrative investigations, policy compliance, risk mitigation, and personnel vetting. Recognized as a strong military and protective services professional, committed to ethical leadership, accountability, and fostering high-performing teams in dynamic and high-risk environments.

Experience

1. Adjunct Instructor

   Polk State College

   Mar 2024 — Present · FL, US

   Adjunct Instructor for Basic and Advanced Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission classes. Teaching basic academy recruits in addition to advanced courses to sworn and certified personnel.

Education

• Polk State College

  Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

  2019

• Community College of the Air Force

  Criminal Justice

• Saint Leo University

  Associate of Arts - AA, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies

  2018 — 2019

• Northwestern University

  School of Police Staff and Command, Organizational Leadership

Skills

• Special Operations
• Air Force
• Emergency Management
• Dod
• National Security
• Government
• Security Operations
• Intelligence Analysis
• Training
• Executive Protection
• Surveillance
• Tactics
• Law Enforcement
• Force Protection
• Command
• Weapons Handling
• Intelligence
• Human Resources
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Security Clearance
• Military
• Military Experience
• Weapons
• Firearms
• Risk Management
• Counterterrorism
• Defense
• Police
• Security Management
• Private Investigations
• Military Operations
• Afghanistan
• Security
• Homeland Security
• Critical Incident Stress Management
• Enforcement
• Leadership
• Physical Security
• Crisis Intervention