Chicago’s Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety Joins Benchmark Analytics

Walter Katz, as Director of Professional Services, to Help Law Enforcement Align Technology with 21st Century Police Practices

Chicago, IL – (August 19, 2019) Benchmark Analytics, the only provider of research-based police force management and early intervention analytics software for law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S., is excited to welcome Walter Katz as Director of Professional Services.

Walter brings over 25 years of public service experience to the Benchmark team, and most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety to Chicago for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In this position, Walter oversaw the most complex and multi-layered oversight structure in the United States, which included a civilian investigation office, a police board, a public safety inspector general, and a Federal court-appointed monitor. He worked closely with the police department in developing a new use-of-force policy and chaired the Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee.

From 2014-2017, Walter served as the Independent Police Auditor for the City of San José, managing the independent oversight of police misconduct investigations, community outreach, and making robust policy recommendations.

Prior to San José, Walter served as Deputy Inspector General for the County of Los Angeles Office of Inspector General (OIG), overseeing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), where he led the implementation of LASD’s body-worn camera pilot; developed a framework to increase transparency of civilian complaint data; and focused on deputy safety by examining the effects of the department’s adoption of a new sidearm.

Walter Katz is a former board member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) and the former chair of its Education and Training Standards Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and received his Juris Doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He is a member of the California State Bar.

Walter will bring that wealth of experience problem-solving law enforcement challenges to help agencies align Benchmark’s groundbreaking technology with the policies and unique processes in law enforcement. He understands that alignment depends on first listening to law enforcement customer needs, quickly developing a deep understanding of their policies and processes, and providing well-informed advice so departments can best harness the benefits of research-based early intervention and workforce management systems.