Dr. D. J. Van Meter is the principal of D. J. Van Meter and Associates, Inc., founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio. He specializes in applying Human Performance Management to optimize law enforcement and public safety agency performance across the United States.
A 15-year veteran of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Dr. Van Meter served as Trooper, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, contributing significantly to the Training Academy. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Traffic Institute nine-month command program.
Dr. Van Meter earned an A.S. in Police Science, a B.S. in Behavioral Science, an MLHR—receiving the Pace Setter Award—and a Ph.D., in Human Performance Technology from The Ohio State University. He is the author of Evaluating Police Dysfunctional Performance: A Zero-Based Approach (Charles Thomas Publishing, 2001).
Based on his 43 years working with agencies nationwide, he researched and developed the Human Performance Management model as a framework designed to keep police management, labor, and the American public on the same page… and more importantly, the same side of the page. Because, when expectations are clear, defensible, and teachable, everyone benefits:
Human Performance Management doesn’t ask agencies to choose between control and unity. It delivers both.
Associate/John Hall’s experience in law enforcement has been filled with professionalism and strong leadership skills. He has managed Patrol Operations and was adept at bringing critical incidents to a successful resolution. John has served as a Certified Police Instructor assigned to a police academy for recruitment training in Arrest, Search and Seizure. John has been recognized throughout his career for initiating, building, and supporting departmental initiatives including the creation of a Special Operations Unit & Physical Fitness Evaluations. He received the honor of being “Officer of the Year in 2007.” John was part of the US Customs task force responsible for the investigation of importation of narcotics in the US. He also investigated the influence of organized crime in NY and NJ as it relates to criminal offenses, corruption, and unfair labor practices. John also has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Kean College, New Jersey.
John Popielarczyk Ret. Chief /Associate has spent twenty-six years working in law enforcement. He has served in numerous capacities ranging from Field Training Officer to the Administrative Captain and retired as Chief of the department. While serving as the Administrative Captain, he developed, implemented, and evaluated policies and procedures relating to employee performance and discipline, and has worked extensively with Van Meter & Associates during that process. He has handled numerous internal investigations involving cases of employee discipline and termination, use of Last Chance Agreements, Performance Improvement Plans and in preparing cases for the discipline process, including arbitration.