Managing Criminal Investigations

2025 Managing Criminal Investigations - Webster 12/11/25

Available Seats: 0 of 30

Cost: $370.00

Credit Hours: 16

Dates:
December 11, 2025 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
December 12, 2025 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location:
Webster Police Department (30) map
Training Room
217 Pennsylvania Ave
Webster, TX 77598

Rationale: Criminal Investigations are one of the primary functions of a police agency and must be properly managed to ensure efficient and effective investigations. Many police agencies organize their criminal investigations function based on the “way we have always done it.” Failure of police chiefs and command officers to properly manage this critical function can lead to inefficient operations and a significant waste of resources. Overview: This 16-hour program is designed for Police Chiefs and Criminal Investigation Supervisors. It is NOT a class for investigators but is a class on managing the Criminal Investigations function within your department. The class is designed to answer questions of staffing, specialization, best organizational arrangement, and how to improve the overall investigations process. The class is highly interactive and participation is highly encouraged. Course Goals: At the conclusion of this course, the participant will:

1. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of different CID organizational structures.
2. Understand the goals for Criminal Investigations.
3. Understand staffing options and methods of determining appropriate staffing.
4. Carry home a list of activities to consider in improving their CID operations.

Instructor: Dan Zientek Assistant Chief Dan Zientek began his career in law enforcement in 1991 as a Texas peace officer. While in Harris County, he was promoted to Sergeant, working the streets as part of patrol, the DWI task force, and investigations. In 2006, Dan transferred to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to be closer to his hometown of Magnolia. He quickly moved from patrol to the Criminal Investigation Division. By 2008, Dan was selected to be part of the newly formed Major Crimes Unit, focusing on homicide and serious bodily injury cases. During this time, Dan was deputized by The US Marshall’s office as a part-time Federal task force officer; as part of the FBI safe street task force, he contributed to the investigations of bank and armed robberies. Dan continued to be promoted through the ranks to Lieutenant overseeing Major Crimes , Persons crimes, Crimes against Children, Sex Crimes and Internet Crimes Against Children, before accepting a captain’s position with Montgomery County Constable Pct. 3. In his captain role, Dan was third in command of the department and was over the day-to-day operation of all divisions including civil, records, patrol, property and evidence management. In 2022 Dan accepted a position as Assistant Chief of Police for Humble Police Department to serve as second in command of the department.  Dan is in an administrative role to oversee all divisions to include, jail, property and evidence, crime lab, dispatch, patrol, criminal investigations, internal affairs, training division, animal control and traffic division along with business operations such as project management and budgeting. During his first year he has expanded the technology of the department and implemented programs that have increased apprehension of criminals while increasing officer safety, increased hiring and retention of officers, and expanded community programs. During following years he has brought newer technologies to the department to make Humble Police Department one of the most advanced technology departments in the country to include a real time crime center, drone first responder program and accident and crime scene reconstruction using 3d lidar and photogrammetry. Dan holds multiple certifications through TEEX Forensic Science Academy, including Forensic Investigator I and II, Major Crimes Investigator, and Property and Evidence Management.  He is TCOLE certified as a Master Peace Officer, Special Investigator and Instructor, and has received over 5000 hours of training in crime scene forensics, criminal investigations and leadership. He attended the prestigious FBI National Academy program in Quantico, VA as well as the FBI-LEEDA leadership program. In Texas leadership circles, Dan has completed the Bill Blackwood Leadership Command College (aka LEMIT, or the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas) through Sam Houston State University, publishing a white paper on accountability in criminal investigations. Dan completed the Law Enforcement Command Officer Program through Texas Police Chief Association in 2024. Dan holds an associate degree from Lone Star College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, and a Master of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management. Currently Dan is Enrolled in the Doctorate of Leadership Studies at Louisiana State University - Shreveport. In 2008, Dan became an adjunct instructor for TEEX Forensic Science Academy, a division of Texas A&M University.  He assisted in the development of investigative courses as both a subject matter expert and a course evaluator.  Dan currently teaches Criminal Investigations, Death Investigations and Forensic Photography to crime scene investigators and detectives and has presented at multiple conferences about accountability, trending technologies, leadership, crime scene and criminal investigations. Dan currently serves as President on the Texas Division of the IAI board and social media coordinator for the International Association for Identification. He also serves as a board member for the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction as well as on the board and legislative committee for the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians.  He has worked with state representatives to create new laws and testified before state legislative committees in support of law enforcement interests. In his spare time, Dan hosts a radio show/podcast that interviews subject matter experts about current and future issues affecting law enforcement, forensics and crime scene investigations with listeners in 30 different countries.