Bruce K. DeShields
Bruce K. DeShields
1) Owner 2) Chief of County Detectives (Retired) | 1) Superior Security Consultants LLC 2) Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office
Bruce DeShields has always had a strong desire to excel in public service and help those who cannot help themselves. He attributes his drive and eventual success in law enforcement to his father, James Lawrence, who would work six days a week and spend his day-off working around the house. As a boy, Mr. DeShields went to work with his father on Sundays, which instilled in him the values of hard work and dedication. From an early age, he also learned from his father the importance of “Honor, Dignity and Respect,” which he has lived by ever since.
At 20, Mr. DeShields began his career as a part-time police officer in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1978, a role he held for four years before becoming a patrol officer with the Stockton Police Department from 1982 to 1983. He subsequently served as a patrol officer with the Department of Human Services Police Department from 1984 to 1989 before advancing to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, where he spent the remainder of his career in law enforcement.
Mr. DeShields climbed the ranks from county investigator to sergeant of county investigators between 1989 and 2006—during which he accrued expertise in homicide and hostage negotiation—and then lieutenant of county detectives and captain of county investigators within the Crisis Negotiations Unit between 2005 and 2019. In addition, he instituted a diversion program for narcotic offenders who often fell through the criminal justice system called A.C.L.E.A.D., or Atlantic County Law Enforcement Advance Diversion Program. Prior to his retirement from law enforcement in 2023, he spent four years as the chief of county detectives, overseeing day-to-day operations, frequently meeting with local police chiefs to ensure compliance with agency protocols, and reviewing all internal affairs complaints filed against officers.
Since 2023, Mr. DeShields has found success as the co-owner and co-founder of Superior Security Consultants LLC, alongside his business partner, a fellow law enforcement veteran. With their combined expertise, and specialized skills in criminal investigations, homicide investigation, interview and interrogation, crime prevention, emergency management, and public speaking, they have established a company dedicated to providing security and consulting services to a variety of businesses. Amid his myriad responsibilities, he evaluates the security needs of clients and assists them in safeguarding their resources.
Beyond his primary responsibilities throughout his accomplished career, Mr. DeShields has previously served as vice president of the executive board for the New Jersey chapter of NOBLE, an organization comprised of federal, state, county, colleges, and local law enforcement officials, and has been involved in NARCAN training. In addition, he has remained connected to the field through memberships with such groups as the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Homicide Investigators, and Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Association. As a testament to his achievements, he has accrued numerous accolades, including the New Jersey State Chiefs Medal of Valor, Atlantic City Police Foundation Outstanding Service Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association, and an FBI Service Recognition Award.
Reflecting on more than 40 years in law enforcement, where most people leave after 25 years, Mr. DeShields strives to continue working to help others. While he has recently suffered a stroke, he is not letting it hold him back from remaining active and is working hard to rebuild himself. With his wife, Cheryl, Mr. DeShields has two children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Bruce K. DeShields for Expertise in Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation
Bruce K. DeShields is recognized for distinguished tenure in public service
WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ, March 19, 2024 — Bruce K. DeShields has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. DeShields has dedicated over four decades to law enforcement, a testament to his enduring passion for justice and his commitment to positively impacting those he serves. Having joined the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in Atlantic County, New Jersey, in 1989, he climbed the ranks from county investigator to sergeant of county investigators between 1998 and 2006 and lieutenant of county detectives from 2005 to 2014. Mr. DeShields has served as the captain of county investigators since 2014 and as the chief of county detectives since 2019. Apart from his work in the field, Mr. DeShields has found success as the co-owner of Superior Security Consulting LLC.
A career in the field as a part-time police officer in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1978, Mr. DeShields subsequently became a patrol officer with the Stockton Police Department between 1982 and 1983. He also had the opportunity to join the Department of Human Services Police Department, where he worked in the uniform and detective division from 1984 to 1989.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. DeShields has become an expert in various facets of law enforcement, including homicide, hostage negotiation, and narcotics investigation. He has also excelled as an academy instructor and has been instrumental in forming the Atlantic County Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team and the Atlantic County Law Enforcement Advanced Diversion Program. Additionally, Mr. DeShields has been responsible for grant writing and liaising with the U.S. Marshals Office.
Mr. DeShields’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Stockton University in 2006 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2018. Moreover, he received several professional designations, making him well-qualified in his field. Among them, Mr. DeShields received Police Training Commission (PTC) certification through the Burlington County Police Academy, PTC advanced investigators certification through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) hostage/crisis certification, certification from the New Jersey State Police Homicide School certification, and completed Narcan training.
Adding to his professional prowess, Mr. DeShields is a member of several industry-related organizations, including the New Jersey State Chiefs Association, Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Association, and the International Association of Homicide Investigators. Moreover, he was elected as the president of the State Chief of County Investigators/Detectives Association of New Jersey in 2021 and currently serves as Vice-President South for NOBLE, (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) of New Jersey, 2023-2024.
In recognition of his exceptional service and bravery, Mr. DeShields has received numerous accolades, including the New Jersey State Chiefs Medal of Valor, the Atlantic City Police Foundation Outstanding Service Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association, a New Jersey Police Benevolent Association Outstanding Service Award, and an FBI Service Recognition Award.
