Matthew Brodacki is a highly accomplished cybersecurity leader and law enforcement professional with a deep commitment to public service. He currently serves as Captain of the Regional Technical Investigations Unit (TIU) for Southwestern Connecticut, overseeing a team that addresses over 500 cyber cases annually. With a background in both public and private sectors, Matthew has consulted for major healthcare entities, led the creation of a groundbreaking cybercrime lab, and been a first responder during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. He holds dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Digital Forensics and is a federally deputized. Matthew is also deeply involved in community service, including his work with the NAACP task force for Fairfield County and his contributions to the Sandy Hook Playground Initiative, and is a board member at the Rowan center which help struggling sex assault victims.
How has your work with the NAACP task force in Fairfield County influenced your approach to leadership and recruitment in law enforcement?
My involvement with the NAACP task force for Fairfield County, which began in 2019, has been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership and recruitment. Working closely with Brenda Penn Williams, the regional president in Norwalk, CT, and participating in various panels on recruitment has allowed me to gain a broader perspective on the challenges and opportunities within law enforcement. Mentoring, hiring, and recruiting minority officers has not only diversified our team but has also brought a wealth of perspectives that strengthen our ability to serve our communities effectively. Together, we’ve focused on creating pathways for minority officers to thrive and lead within the LEO community. This experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of inclusive leadership and the need for law enforcement to reflect the communities we serve.
You’ve led a groundbreaking initiative in creating a fully funded cybercrime lab in Southern Connecticut. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Creating the cybercrime lab was an ambitious project that required overcoming significant challenges, from securing funding to ensuring collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies. One of the biggest hurdles was addressing the delay in processing evidence, which was a pressing issue for both residents and businesses in Southern Connecticut. To overcome this, I worked closely with the State’s Attorney’s office and district Police Chiefs to design a lab that not only met our immediate needs but also served as a national model. The success of this initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of having a clear vision that aligns with the broader goals of public safety and justice. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this lab being disseminated nationwide through the NCFI program.
Given your experience as a Family Liaison Officer during the Sandy Hook tragedy, how do you balance the emotional toll of such incidents with the demands of your professional role?
The Sandy Hook tragedy was a defining moment in my career, and serving as a Family Liaison Officer during such an unimaginable event required an immense amount of emotional strength and resilience. The key to balancing the emotional toll with the demands of my role was maintaining a focus on the families and what they needed during that time. My responsibility was to provide support, whether that meant compiling last known photographs or simply being present for the families as they navigated their grief. The experience taught me the importance of empathy and human connection in law enforcement. While the emotional impact of that day will always stay with me, it also strengthened my resolve to continue serving in ways that honor the memory of those we lost.
Perhaps the most difficult chapter personally was after watching families not only deal with such a loss, but also being targeted by conspiracy theorists even to this day.
As someone who has been both a consultant to high-level executives and a leader in law enforcement, how do you navigate the differences in these environments?
Navigating the differences between consulting for high-level executives and leading in law enforcement comes down to understanding the unique dynamics and expectations of each environment. In the corporate world, the focus is often on efficiency, profitability, and risk management.
My role as a consultant required me to provide strategic guidance on how to protect assets and manage crises, often under intense pressure. In law enforcement, the stakes are equally high but in different ways—our decisions can have immediate and profound impacts on public safety. What connects these two environments is the need for clear communication, decisive action, and a deep understanding of the risks involved. Whether advising a CEO or leading a team of investigators, my goal is always to provide the best possible outcomes based on a thorough analysis of the situation.
Your work involves a significant amount of teaching and training in cybersecurity. What motivates you to keep educating others, and how do you stay current in such a rapidly evolving field?
Teaching and training are passions of mine because they allow me to share knowledge and empower others to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity. In a field that evolves as quickly as cybersecurity does, staying current requires a commitment to continuous learning. I regularly attend classes, workshops, and training sessions to keep my skills sharp and to stay ahead of emerging threats. Recently, I had the honor of teaching an Artificial Intelligence segment at the National Computer Crime Conference, which was both a challenging and rewarding experience. What motivates me is the realization that every time I educate someone—whether it’s a judge, a prosecutor, or a fellow officer—I’m contributing to a safer, more secure environment for everyone. The ripple effects of education in this field are vast, and that’s what keeps me dedicated to it.
How has your personal background influenced your professional journey, particularly in cybersecurity and law enforcement?
Growing up in a large family and losing my father to cancer when he was only 47 had a profound impact on my life. It taught me the value of resilience, hard work, and the importance of community—lessons that have carried over into my professional journey. In cybersecurity and law enforcement, where the challenges are constant and often daunting, these values have been my guiding principles. They’ve driven me to push forward, whether it’s leading a complex investigation or developing a new cybersecurity initiative. My personal experiences have also instilled in me a deep sense of empathy, which is crucial when dealing with victims of crime or when mentoring young officers. At the end of the day, it’s about making a positive impact, both professionally and personally.
With all your accomplishments, what drives you to continue evolving in your career?
What drives me is my faith, and belief that there’s always more to be done—more ways to innovate, more people to help, and more challenges to overcome. Whether it’s through my work in cybersecurity, my involvement in community initiatives like the Sandy Hook Playground Initiative, or my ongoing education, I’m constantly seeking ways to contribute and make a difference. The field of cybersecurity, in particular, is ever-changing, and that keeps me motivated to stay ahead of the curve. But beyond professional achievements, it’s the opportunity to leave a lasting positive impact on the communities I serve and the people I work with that truly fuels my drive to continue evolving in my career.