About
Data Detectives, LLC, was formed to provide data consulting and training services to organizations that do not have the existing internal capacities..
William A. Forrester III, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Public Policy and Administration
MS Data Analytics
MS Criminal Justice
BM Instrumental Music Education
William combines law enforcement leadership experience with expertise in data science to deliver practical, data-driven solutions that enhance organizational performance. Beginning his career in 2011 with the Memphis Police Department, William gained firsthand experience in patrol operations, contract negotiations, and accreditation management—roles that required rigorous data analysis and process improvement.
Promoted to Sergeant and later appointed Accreditation Manager, he led efforts to standardize department practices through data-backed research and performance metrics. His work on the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission resulted in meaningful policy reforms benefiting law enforcement statewide.
Selected for prestigious programs like the National Police Institute’s Policing Fellows and the National Institute of Justice’s Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Scholars Program, William developed advanced skills in data analytics that he now applies to organizational challenges. Since retiring from MPD in 2024, he has served as core faculty at Walden University, advising doctoral candidates on research that bridges theory and practice.
At Data Detectives, LLC,, William leverages his unique combination of operational experience and data science expertise to build dashboards and analytics tools that enable organizations to identify inefficiencies, monitor performance, and make informed decisions with confidence.