Dave Houts
Consultant
Dave Houts honorably retired from the Cotati Police Department in 2011 as a Sergeant after nearly 25 years of service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sacramento State University and served as the agency's sole training manager, overseeing hiring from oral boards through background investigations and field training. His responsibilities also spanned personnel, internal affairs, dispatch, records, and serving as a community liaison for the Chief of Police, City Manager, and City Council.
Dave served honorably as a team leader on the Sonoma County Wide Special Weapons and Tactics Enforcement Team, working closely with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department and completing extensive specialty training. As an ABC GAP Liaison under multiple state grants, he managed the city's alcohol licenses, conducting inspections, underage decoy operations, shoulder tap operations, and documenting extraordinary events.
Since 1989, Dave has worked as an academy instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training Center, where he has led in many roles including Evaluator, Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC), Weaponless Defensive Tactics (now ACT), Lifetime Fitness, and Scenario Manager.
In 2024, Dave was nominated to the United States Police and Fire Championships Hall of Fame Class. Across fourteen editions of the US Police & Fire Games since 2003, he has earned over one hundred medals competing in events ranging from marathon and half-marathon to cross country, biathlon, track and field, mud run, and mountain biking. He has served as a USPFG Ambassador since 2015, promoting the games to law enforcement and firefighters.
Dave followed his father and Uncle Dave into law enforcement. He has two sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter. His son Travis recently completed five honorable years as a Marine MP and will attend the police academy in 2027, continuing the family tradition. Dave's running and life motto is "Run with Your Heart."
Articles by Dave Houts
Analyst Reports, Review Sites, and Customer Voice as Intelligence Sources
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How Long Does a Background Check Take? Timelines, Factors, and What to Expect
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How to Protect Your Identity and Remove Your Personal Data From the Internet
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Cold Case Sexual Assault and Rape Kit Investigations: The Backlog and the Breakthroughs
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How to Find Hidden Cameras in Airbnb, Hotels, and Rental Properties
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Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE): What They Do and Why It Matters
The Certified Fraud Examiner credential is the most widely recognized professional designation in fraud investigation. The Association of Certified…
Fraud Prevention for Businesses: Internal Controls That Actually Work
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Ethical and Legal Competitive Intelligence: Where the Line Actually Is
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Corporate Investigations: How They Work and What to Expect
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Investment Due Diligence: How to Evaluate Fund Managers
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Mediation vs. Arbitration: Key Differences Attorneys Should Know
Mediation and arbitration are the two most common forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Attorneys frequently advise clients on whether to use…
How to Create a Crisis Management Plan for Your Business
A crisis management plan is the documented framework that guides an organization's response when something goes seriously wrong. Businesses that…
How to Recover Data from a Broken Phone
A broken phone does not always mean lost data. The screen may be shattered, the device may not power on, or the phone may have water or impact damage…
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