Meet the Founder: D.T. “Rusty” Russell
D.T. “Rusty” Russell brings nearly four decades of criminal justice experience to Signal 10 Consulting, with the last thirty years focused exclusively on vehicle crime investigations and program management.
Before founding Signal 10, he served as the Director of Operations–Vehicles for the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). In this national role, he provided oversight for all vehicle, specialized equipment, and marine investigative programs until 2023. His foundational expertise was forged during a distinguished law enforcement career with the Saint Lucie County Sheriff's Office, where he retired as a Detective. Throughout his career, he has been a relentless innovator, developing flagship initiatives including License Plate Recognition (LPR) programs, Electronic Vehicle Data Initiatives (EVDI), and extensive Bait Vehicle programs.
Personal Philosophy
"Investing in yourself is an investment in your future and the security of those you serve, especially your family."
He credits his career success to the unwavering partnership of his wife, Shannon, whose support allowed him to perform at the highest levels of the profession.
30 Years of Vehicle Crime Investigations
Our Story
It all started with a stolen flatbed semi-trailer, a vague description of a suspect driving a maroon semi-tractor, and an overwhelming desire to solve the case. Two years later, that single theft had expanded into a multi-state investigation involving nine defendants and over a million dollars in stolen vehicles, trailers, boats, and construction equipment.
That first case became the launchpad for a career focused on vehicle crime investigations. Three decades later, we are still just as driven to track down vehicles and solve cases. Let us show your personnel how to do the same. Proper training might be the spark that launches their next major case.
Our Approach
We believe that true success in law enforcement comes from strong collaboration. We work closely with our partners to understand their specific staffing and budgetary challenges, developing solutions tailored to their exact goals.
Our approach is straightforward: we deliver proven, real-world training designed to give your officers the specialized edge they need to dismantle criminal networks. By providing the tools necessary to identify and counter increasingly sophisticated theft methodologies, including the exploitation of modern vehicle electronics, we ensure your personnel can thrive in the field and maximize your agency’s investment.
Experience Matters
It's often said that people learn best through experience. While that may be true, there's no need for your personnel to repeat the same mistakes we've already made just in the name of "learning."
We remember being young, energetic, and a bit cocky. We remember hearing the new guys complain about the seasoned officers who thought they knew best. As it turns out, those older officers actually knew a thing or two. In fact, they are who we learned the most from.
Now, it's our turn. We're the "old guys," and if you're willing to listen, we're happy to share what we've learned, often the hard way. Our goal is to pass on three decades of field-tested knowledge so your investigators can skip the pitfalls and get straight to the results.
Our Mission
To empower law enforcement agencies to effectively tackle vehicle crime by providing specialized training and customized investigative strategies to dismantle vehicle crime networks and drive prosecutorial success.
Our Vision
We strive to be the premier partner for vehicle crime identification and investigation training. We believe in collaboration and cultivating a network of highly skilled officers who consistently outpace and outsmart criminal networks.