Working with Cops

Dr. Matthew J. Stiehm has received and earned an Educational Doctorate from Argosy University, where the focus of his research was higher education campus safety and security. Out of his research Dr. Stiehm has published articles and has been interviewed on topics related to campus safety, security and law enforcement.  Dr. Stiehm has completed his M.A. in Psychological Services and Counseling where he focused on mental health issues facing first responders (law enforcement). Dr. Stiehm also has a Master’s Degree of Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University, with his final paper focusing on the investigation of child abuse and finally a Bachelor’s of Science from Wayne State College, Nebraska. He has served as a police officer in three states (CA, MN and NE), he keeps current on law enforcement trends most recently he conducted an 8-month study with Columbia Heights Police Department (MN) on Community Policing. Dr. Stiehm and the CHPD published the study and wrote an article that was accepted into the International Association of Chiefs of Police Magazine. Dr. Stiehm was a former a member of ILEETA.  Dr. Stiehm recently exited full time law enforcement working as Police Officer for the White Earth Tribal Police on the White Earth Indian Reservation. As part of that full time work, he was the lead trainer for the agency in Use of Force classroom, and hands on tactics (except firearms).  Dr. Stiehm is still licensed as a police officer in Minnesota and working part time for Clearbrook Police Department.  Dr. Stiehm provided the voice for Minnesota Law Enforcement for KSTP Channel Five for an hour long session on Pattern and Practice related to Use of Force and City of Minneapolis.  Dr. Stiehm has been noted as an expert in the SCOTUS related to the Brossart v. Janke – CN 3:14- CV-62.

Dr. Stiehm had an internship with PrairieCare Residential which dealt with youths 10-18 who are dealing with a variety of clinical diagnosis to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, self injury and self harm.  Dr. Stiehm currently works full time at Nystrom Counseling in Minnesota.  In his position there he works with PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and a host of other disorders.  Dr. Stiehm recently completed a Prolonged Exposure Therapy Training taught under the model at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety.  Dr. Stiehm has also attended and received training in Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy.  Dr. Stiehm spends his free time conducting research proactively into the Derek Chauvin use of force incident/event, mental issues and law enforcement, and overall law enforcement trends surrounding modern policing.

Dr. Stiehm has instructed police officers and other professionals in the areas of; peace officer rights, child abuse, use of force, leadership and interviewing for continuing education credit. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in tribal law enforcement where he focused on the disparity of Native American Officers versus Non-Native Officers serving tribal land; he also focused on general training issues in Indian Country Law Enforcement. Dr. Stiehm is also a recognized authority in use of force, corrections use of force, general police practices, training trends, and other standards. Dr. Stiehm has served as a police practices expert with local (MN) based law firms. Dr. Stiehm has also been retained in Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Indiana and New York to provide "expert" opinions for use of force in federal court. Dr. Stiehm also provided support to Saint Paul Union and Officer Matt Gorans termination. Dr. Stiehm also has submitted reports to federal court for various police use of force cases.  Dr. Stiehm has reviewed cases for correction officer use of force, police use of force, jail procedures, practices and protocol.   Dr. Stiehm keeps up on issues facing the Minneapolis Police Department, and law enforcement trends impacting Minnesota.

Dr. Stiehm has attended and received instructor certification from the following;  Axon Taser Instructor Certification, SPEAR Level II, Blue Shield Tactical Patrol Knife Course, Controlled FORCE Level I and II,  LOCK-Up, ASP Handcuff/Batons, ASP Integrated Use of Force Instructor Class, PepperBall Use of Force Instructor, NLETC Use of Force Certifications, SABRE Use of Force Instructor, LOCKUP Managing, and Tracking Use of Force, FLETC Active Shooter Instructor Training Program, SPEAR,  Pressure Point and Control Tactics, Minneapolis Community College Use of Force Instructor, RAD-Systems, FLETC Use of Force Instructor Program (16hrs), and AELE Lethal and Less Lethal Training Programs.  Which resulted in Certified Litigation Specialist through AELE.  Dr. Stiehm also recently attended the Federal Bureau of Investigations basic crisis negotiators course in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.  Dr. Stiehm was part of a small cadre of officers from around the region that were allowed to attend.  Dr. Stiehm attended the 80hrs FLETC Use of Force Instructor Training Program in September 2022 in Pierre, South Dakota. 

Dr. Stiehm has attended Prolonged Exposure Training for PTSD.  Dr. Stiehm hopes to attend more clinical trainings related to treating PTSD, in the hopes of treating, and providing clinical services to law enforcement/first responders.  Dr. Stiehm is an advocate for mental health for and of law enforcement officers.  Dr. Stiehm started a boutique mental therapy firm that works specifically with those working in law enforcement/criminal justice and corrections.  The firm Minnesota Blue Line Therapy and Haberdashery is the third criminal justice related business Dr. Stiehm has started with the expressed interest of support those within the first responder community. 

Dr. Stiehm also has worked as an adjunct instructor for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center out of Glynco, Georgia. Dr. Stiehm also held the distinction of holding the professional credentials CLS through AELE, he has attended numerous other force training programs. Dr. Stiehm has consulted with LAAW International on the use of force, body worn camera and other related model policies.  Dr. Stiehm routinely provides feedback to this policy group on use of force model policies. Dr. Stiehm can be found on Linkedin.com and Facebook at Stiehm Investigations.  Dr. Stiehm has authored articles in POLICEONE, CORRECTIONSONE, Law Officer Magazine, ILEETA Journal, and the IACP Magazine. Dr. Stiehm was a contract instructor with Blue Shield Tactical in the topics of Corrections Use of Force and Management, and 21st Century Use of Force Investigations.   Dr. Stiehm self publishes articles on Linkedin on a variety of topics.