Wicklander-Zulawski hires Dan Hoffman to lead public safety and government markets

Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates named Dan Hoffman director of public safety and government markets on September 17, 2026, expanding its push into law enforcement, military, corrections and broader public safety training. The move adds a veteran sheriff’s office leader to guide agency partnerships as WZ leans into ethical interviewing, de-escalation and operational effectiveness.

Why it matters: - Wicklander-Zulawski is sharpening its focus on agencies that need interviewing, interrogation, de-escalation and crisis communication training that can hold up in the field. - The appointment gives WZ a senior leader with deep public safety experience to help agencies build training plans around staffing, scheduling and budget limits. - The move reflects rising demand for practical methods that support investigations, officer safety and community trust.

What happened: - Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates appointed Dan Hoffman as director of public safety and government markets on Sept. 17, 2026. - Hoffman will lead public safety and government partnerships across local, state and federal law enforcement, military organizations, corrections and the broader public safety sector. - Hoffman will work with agency leaders to develop deputies, officers and investigators through training tied to operational priorities. - Agency leaders and training officers can contact Hoffman at dhoffman@w-z.com.

The details: - WZ was founded in 1982 and has spent more than four decades advancing investigative interviewing and interrogation. - The company’s training reaches investigators and detectives in federal agencies, major metropolitan police departments and police and detective academies. - WZ said its approach centers on ethical practice, with preparation, rapport, strategic questioning and careful evaluation of accounts against available evidence. - The company’s criminal justice offerings include Criminal Level I – Investigative Interviewing Techniques, Tactical Field Interviewing Techniques and Lead Homicide Investigators. - Additional programs include advanced practical workshops, trauma-informed interviewing and preparation for the Certified Forensic Interviewer designation. - WZ also offers de-escalation and crisis communication training. - Hoffman brings more than 27 years of experience. - He served as a captain with California’s Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, where he commanded the Patrol, Professional Standards and Training divisions. - As Training Division Commander, Hoffman oversaw training for 680 sworn personnel and the agency’s Law Enforcement Training Center. - Hoffman previously served as police chief for Blackhawk Police Services under the Sheriff’s Office. - WZ says its training formats include regional hosting opportunities, in-person courses, live virtual instruction, on-demand learning and practical workshops. - WZ also provides grant-sourcing and funding resources. - The company supports service members and veterans pursuing private-sector careers in investigations, security and loss prevention. - Guidance includes GI Bill® benefits and reimbursement pathways, subject to individual eligibility and VA approval of the course or examination. - WZ’s about section says the company has provided investigative interviewing and professional training to law enforcement, government, military and private-sector professionals since 1982. - The company lists more information at w-z.com. - WZ’s LinkedIn page is here.

Between the lines: - WZ is pairing product expertise with field credibility by putting a former sheriff’s office captain in charge of agency relationships. - The company is positioning ethical interviewing as both a compliance-minded practice and an operational advantage. - The breadth of formats and funding support suggests WZ is trying to make training easier for departments with limited time and resources.

What's next: - Hoffman will likely become the main point of contact for agencies evaluating WZ’s training programs and funding options. - WZ is expected to use his background to expand relationships with agencies looking for practical, role-specific instruction. - Agency leaders interested in training, hosting or funding support can reach out directly to Hoffman at dhoffman@w-z.com.

The bottom line: - Wicklander-Zulawski is betting that public safety agencies want training that is ethical, practical and easier to deploy — and Hoffman is the face of that push.