Law Enforcement Veteran and Educator
At Enforcement Guide, we bring together extensive knowledge and experience in law enforcement and regulatory and organizational compliance. Our founder, William A. Riedthaler, also known as Bill, is dedicated to upholding the highest service standards and ensuring that our clients are fully equipped to tackle the challenges they face.
Early Beginnings and Education
Bill, a dedicated law enforcement professional, was born and raised in Cleveland. His journey into law enforcement began early, as he worked part-time as a Cleveland Police Cadet while pursuing his Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement at Cuyahoga Community College, which he completed in 1968.
Appointed to the Cleveland Police Department as a sworn officer in October 1969, Bill served as a patrolman, responding to calls for assistance from citizens. His academic pursuits continued, culminating in a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1974. That same year, he was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Citizen's Dress Detail as an undercover vice officer. This role focused on enforcing liquor, gambling, and sex crime laws, sparking his lifelong study and expertise in gambling and prostitution.
Bill’s specialization led to his transfer to the Organized Crime/Public Corruption Unit, where he collaborated with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office to investigate fraudulent carnival games. This work resulted in his first book, An Enforcement Guide to Carnival Games, Gambling, and Fraud (1981). The influential book, utilized by Ohio, Michigan, and Florida law enforcement agencies, is featured in the Cleveland Public Library and the Library of Congress.
In 1981, Bill suffered a severe injury in the line of duty, which restricted him to desk duties. During his recovery, he conducted an in-depth analysis of the Numbers Rackets in Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio and examined the Draw 1980 Poker Machines. His research established him as a leading gambling expert, leading him to testify as an expert witness for 26 years.
Volunteer Work and
Additional Publications
Bill extended his expertise beyond his official duties by volunteering with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. He authored An Enforcement Guide to Coin-Operated Gambling Devices or Slot Machines, a vital resource for local, state, and federal prosecutors.
Bill played a key role in significant charitable gambling and fraud investigations in Ohio (1999–2003) and illegal gambling investigations in Florida and Ohio (2003–2004). His educational accomplishments include an Executive MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College, earned in December 2000, and a role as a Professor in the Criminal Justice Studies Program at Tiffin University since February 2002.
In November 2005, Bill undertook a one-year assignment with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Justice to provide advanced criminal investigator forensic and counter-terrorism training to Iraq’s National Information and Investigation Agency (NIIA), Iraq’s equivalent of the FBI. He developed the curriculum for these courses, delivered at Baghdad Police College and for the Ministry of Interior in Iraq.
In recognition of his contributions to the democratic future of Iraq, Bill was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in International Police Studies by Baghdad Police College in November 2006.
Expert Guidance for
Compliance Success
Is your organization meeting all necessary compliance standards? Reach out to us to discuss how our expert guidance can help you navigate corporate compliance with confidence. Contact us today to start your compliance journey.