Brian A. Kinnaird, Ph.D.

As a law enforcement officer, Dr. Kinnaird began his career as deputy sheriff assigned to the jail division for the Ellis County Sheriff's Department in Hays, KS. After several months, Brian was assigned to the road division and graduated from the 143rd Basic at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson, KS. Brian served in various capacities from shift supervisor, field training officer, defensive tactics instructor to tactical team operator during his police tenure. Following the completion of his master's degree, he separated from full-time service to pursue a career in academia.

As a trainer, Dr. Kinnaird has provided professional instruction since 1997. He has taught across the United States in various topical areas and at all levels of employment in the criminal justice system: police, courts, corrections, & social services. Brian was a guest instructor at the Kansas Police Academy where he taught defensive tactics and use of force concepts. His areas of instruction have included: control and arrest tactics, ground-fighting, handgun retention, TASER, OC, baton, conflict management, civil liability and use of force administration. He is currently a trainer, consultant, & advisory board member for various police defensive tactics systems and professional associations worldwide. Please visit his training page on the main menu to read more about the areas he can provide instruction and consultation.

As a university professor, Dr. Kinnaird has taught for more than a decade in the college classroom. As a law enforcement officer teaching evening courses as an adjunct, he was recruited & appointed as a full-time instructor, director, and then department chair of justice studies at Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS. As a tenure-track professor, he went on to earn university tenure & promotion in 2006. Brian relocated to TX and is currently serving as program coordinator & associate professor of criminal justice for Extended Academic Programs at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. He has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching, advising, and administration. Brian has taught in both online and on-campus outlets for public, private, & proprietary institutions since 1999.

As an author, Dr. Kinnaird is published in a variety of peer-reviewed and trade outlets featuring work in the fields of criminal justice, social psychology, and philosophy. He was a Policy Fellow with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and has had use of force policy work featured as best practices by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a charter member of the International Law Enforcement Educator and Trainer's Association (ILEETA) and served as editor of their Use of Force Journal for 4 years. Brian has written law enforcement columns for PoliceOne, PoliceLink and Psychology Today while also being featured on various blog and Internet radio programs. He is the author of three books and two book chapters and had his doctoral dissertation published by the International Journal of Police Science & Management. Brian continues to publish in a variety of domains and has written, extensively, on the the pop culture superhero genre as a historian, social psychologist, & fan. He is completing a 2nd edition of Use of Force: Expert Guidance for Decisive Force Response (2012), an abridged edition for Parallel Universe: A Theatre For Heroism (2012), & a chapter on use of force for a new police ethics textbook (2012).

As a martial artist, Dr. Kinnaird holds a traditional black belt in Jeet Kune Do/Tae Kwon Do and has formally studied Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, Aikido, & Kendo. He has trained with regional, national, and global talent through Golden Sun Martial Arts Academy (KS), Law Enforcement & Security Trainers, Inc. (MO), Blauer Tactical Systems (CA), and Karate College at Radford University (VA). Brian has instructed both sport & street combat programs since 1999.

As a student, Dr. Kinnaird completed undergraduate coursework in military science & kinesiology from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. He earned an academic scholarship as a student-cadet with the Army R.O.T.C. and also served as a student assistant strength & conditioning coach for the KSU football team. Following a vocational calling to law enforcement, Brian changed majors and transferred to Fort Hays State University (KS) where he went on to earn his B.A. in Sociology & M.L.S. in Criminal Justice. He earned his Ph.D. in Human Services from Capella University (MN). His peace officer certification was attained through the University of Kansas. Please contact Dr. Kinnaird if you require a curriculum vitae.

Article: "Don't Stay Safe, BE Safe!"

Thanks for stopping by and BE safe!

Brian