
Darek Pleasants

Darek Pleasants is a retired ATF Special Agent with over thirty years of law enforcement, government, and military special operations experience. Darek is a globally recognized subject matter expert and advisor. His professional expertise spans critical areas within law enforcement procedure, best practices, complex investigations, crime gun intelligence, ballistics identification technology, and leadership during crises.
Nationally recognized as a subject matter expert and leader of P2’s Expert Witness and Advising Consultancy, Darek leverages three decades of global service. As a professional advisor he provides candid, ethical, and confidential insights with the necessary information his clients need to ensure equitable, effective, and balanced application of justice. Darek’s expertise and advice contribute significantly to informed decision-making in legal, law enforcement and other high risk, sensitive and volatile environments.
Darek consults worldwide on technology-driven evidence-based procedures in uncertain, high-impact and culturally sensitive environments. His insights and expert advice on ballistics identification technology and its application in law enforcement has enhanced capabilities and aided in solving the most complex cases.
As an ethically-centered and experienced executive, Darek is engaged regularly by senior leaders in law enforcement, public service, and government. He provides unique perspectives to leadership during crises and emerging challenges, while maintaining an unwavering dedication to the importance of the “Rule of Law.”
- Deadly/Excessive Force
- Explosions
- Fire
- Firearms & Ballistics
- Gangs
- Informants
- Police Procedures
- RICO/Racketeering
- Violent Crimes
- Weapons
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Master of Strategic Studies — United States Army War College
Bachelor’s Degree — Columbia CollegeTennessee Licensed Private Investigator #9201
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Basic | Intermediate | Advanced | Leadership | Supervisory | Management
Firearms | Arson | Explosives | Undercover Operations| Tactics | Advanced Explosives Post Blast Investigations | Characteristics of Armed GunmenFederal Law Enforcement Training Center
Basic | Advanced Criminal Investigations | Law Enforcement Firearms InstructorFederal Bureau of Investigation
Advanced Explosives Post Blast Investigations | High Threat Overseas OperationsDrug Enforcement Administration
Asset ForfeitureDepartment of Homeland Security
Weapons of Mass Destruction Scene Management | Weapons of Mass Destruction Hazardous Material Evidence CollectionUnited States Department of Justice
Complex Investigations | Firearms Interdiction Technical AssistanceBureau of Justice Assistance
Counter Terrorism Intelligence OfficerOffice of National Drug Control Policy – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Informant Management | Operations & Fiduciary ResponsibilityOffice of the Director for National Intelligence
Instructor National Human Intelligence CollaborationFederal Office of Personnel Management
Federal Career Senior Executive ServiceAnti-Defamation League
Advanced Training School Extremist and Terrorist ThreatsNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents | Incident Response to Terrorist BombingsSoutheastern Public Safety Institute
Criminal Street Gangs | Conspiracy InvestigationsJohn E. Reid and Associates
Street Crime Investigations | The Reid Technique of Interviewing and InterrogationDefense Security Cooperation University
Senior Executive Advisor SeminarJoint Special Operations University
Combined / Joint Special Operations Component Commanders CourseDefense Acquisitions University
Program Leadership | Integrated Risk ManagementUniversity of Texas Health Science Center
Emergency Medical Technician – ParamedicUnited States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
Qualified – Special Forces Non-Commissioned Officer | Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Consultant to the United States Department of Justice; Bureau of Justice Assistance
Consultant to the National Policing Institute; Technical Assistance Center for Improving Law Enforcement
Consultant to the Center for Naval Analysis; Center for Justice Research and Innovation
Fellow — Arthur D. Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation
Member — ATF Association
Life Member — United States Army War College Foundation
Member — Special Forces Association
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice — Subject Matter Expert | Crime Gun Intelligence | Law Enforcement & Investigative Leadership
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers — Continuing Legal Education Instructor | Introduction to Firearms & Crime Gun Intelligence | Introduction to Arson Investigation
U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, U.S. Department of State
Law Enforcement Tactics, Techniques and Procedures | Mentor | Instructor | LeadershipFederal Law Enforcement Training Center, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Firearms and Tactics Instructor | Lecturer on leadership in crises for law enforcement.National Human Intelligence Collaboration Course, Office of the Director for National Intelligence
Instructor on Human Intelligence and Confidential Source Management and Collaboration.International Law Enforcement Academy, U.S. Department of State
Instructor and mentor | Weapons Proliferation | Firearms Trafficking Investigations | LeadershipMultiple Multi-Media Press Engagements
Firearms, Arson and Explosives Investigations | Crime Gun Intelligence | Crisis Communications. - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: I have been retained multiple times as an expert for criminal and civil matters in both State and Federal court.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Firearms
Premise Liability
Police Procedure and Policy
Police Misconduct
Crime Scene Reconstruction
Criminal Gangs - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 50%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 50%
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: Spring 2024
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: I have been qualified as an expert witness for testimony on multiple occasions.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: I have testified as an expert witness on multiple occasions.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Rule 26
Expert Opinion
Consulting
Investigations
Litigation Support
Deposition and Review
Support to Counsel - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: Initial consultation is at no charge. Retainer required for work to begin.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $250
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: Trial Testimony / Court Appearance are billed at a flat daily rate of $2000.
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Travel & Accommodations — Approved by P2 Consulting.
Brian Moran
Former United States Attorney for Western District of Washington
Partner at Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe
401 Union Street, Suite 3300
Seattle, WA
206-839-4419
Brian.moran@orrick.com
Kenji Price
Former United States Attorney for District of Hawaii
Managing Counsel at Epic Games
620 Crossroads Blvd.,
Cary, NC
919-854-0070
Billy Williams
Former United States Attorney for District of Oregon
Partner at Best, Best and Krieger
360 SW Bond St. Suite 400
Bend, Oregon
541-382-3011
Billy.williams@bbklaw.com
Pleasants DG Media Interview
NBC interview with Darek Pleasants regarding his expertise in firearms and criminal investigations