Mike Hughes joined Texas Public Policy Foundation in June 2016. He works as Senior Researcher in the Center for Effective Justice & Right on Crime. His focus is primarily on policing matters. Prior to joining the foundation, Mike worked as a training coordinator at Tarrant County College’s Criminal Justice Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas, assigned to train new police recruits.

Mike’s professional career began with the United States Air Force in 1984, where he served with security forces safeguarding military assets. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. 

Mike began a civilian police career in 1988, working in both patrol and criminal investigations divisions over the years. In 2010, he retired as a captain with the Saginaw (Texas) Police Department, then served briefly as police chief in Wasilla, Alaska. 

As a police officer, Mike earned a Master Peace Officer certificate through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He graduated from the Leadership Command College and the Command Staff Leadership Series through the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. Mike also has the distinction of graduating with the 220^th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has broad experience in police topics and has attended hundreds of hours of professional training.  In 2015, he earned certification as an analyst through the prestigious Force Science Institute.

In 2003, Mike earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.

Mike has since taught criminal justice classes as an adjunct faculty member at Texas Christian University, Tarrant County College, and Columbia College, all located in Fort Worth, Texas. 

As a police trainer Mike also teaches in the areas of search and seizure, crime scene investigation, use of force, defensive tactics, management and supervision, among others.