Instructor Biography

John Bouthillette (retired)

Chief John Bouthillette (retired) is a senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) and the field support services manager of IIR’s Law Enforcement Safety and Wellness (LESW) group. He is a program advisor for the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program and the National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers Program. Chief Bouthillette retired from the South River, New Jersey, Police Department in 2012, after 26 years of service. In 2000, he was involved in a deadly force encounter while responding to a possible-shots-fired call. During this encounter, he was shot twice at close range by a suspect who was armed with a shotgun. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on the topics of officer safety and survival. Chief Bouthillette is a recipient of the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association’s Purple Heart award and has received Valor awards from both the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association and the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association. Chief Bouthillette has a master’s degree in human resources training and development from Seton Hall University, a mini-master’s certificate in public administration from Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree in the administration of justice from Thomas Edison State College. He is also a graduate of the 236th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.