David W. Linthicum is a 26-year police veteran who retired from the Raleigh Police Department at the rank of captain. During his career he served in patrol, investigations, administration, and in the bomb squad. As a leader, he served as a patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, watch commander, district commander, and commander of special operations division. As a critical incident specialist, he has extensive training and experience with special events management, dignitary protection, crowd control, bomb detection, bomb disposal, counter-terrorism, and hazardous materials incident control.

Captain Linthicum has served numerous times as the command officer directing law enforcement operations for large events, such as dignitary visits (including those involving the U.S. President), political rallies, sporting events (such as the NHL Stanley Cup Finals), conferences, and awards ceremonies. Captain Linthicum has taught numerous courses dealing with the response to critical incidents. These courses include Initial Response to Suicide Bombers, Bomb Making Material Awareness, Bomb Threat Management, and Field Force Operations for Large Events.

Captain Linthicum holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Appalachian State University, an M.B.A. from Pfeiffer University, and a second master’s degree in homeland security studies U.S. Navy Postgraduate School’s Center Homeland Defense and Security.