Biography

Zae Hudson

Lead Investigator and President of ZH Investigation

Licensed Private Investigator in the State of Montana

License Number: PSP-PI-LIC-50194

Who is ZH Investigation

I am not the person that likes to speak of myself or dote on my past law enforcement accolades. My family politely informed me that I have to talk about myself a bit – so here we go.

My past leadership accomplishments and successful prosecution of law enforcement investigative cases have been rewarding. During 30 years of serving the great state of Montana, my years of leading a thriving 911 Center only compare to investigating complex felony investigations and cold case homicides. God Bless our Dispatchers throughout our great country!

During the last 25 years, I served the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Deputy, Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, Reserve Deputy Coordinator, Patrol Sergeant, 911/Communications Lieutenant, Detective Sergeant and Detective Lieutenant.

I have been honored to serve the Montana Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Executive Board as the Western State Representative during 2022-2023. I also served on the Montana Sheriff’s & Peace Officers Association (MSPOA) Board from 2024-2025.

During my law enforcement career, I have presented hundreds of hours of Public Safety training and education courses with safety team members and our public folks throughout Montana. This includes presenting to public safety entities, public & social groups, and the Montana Legislature. The focus during these presentations was committed to promoting public education and progression of public safety & community issues. I had joined local companies & resources to partner with public safety to solve community challenges on a consistent basis.

I have focused my career towards building effective workplace policy, procedure and professional standards while focusing on productive work cultures within our organizations. In addition, I have become adept at hiring procedures, conducting disciplinary actions, recognizing positive work behaviors while conducting thorough background investigations.

So, this all sounds incredible and what not – how does this affect your office or your business?

I have conducted thousands of complex law enforcement interviews and interrogations, while conducting hundreds of Public Safety employment background interviews and investigations.

I thoroughly enjoy investigating people who want to join our Public Safety or Private Business families – and identifying the people who will be successful in your operation. I also enjoy identifying those people who wish to destroy your organization by suffusion, dishonesty and malcontent.

We must have those who will be the pillars in front of our Organizational Gates to turn those away who do not meet our Professional & Integral Standards and who may degrade our great professions.

ZH Investigation will be your Guardian at the Gate

Special Service Biography

Zae S. Hudson

· 25.5 years of law enforcement service to the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office

· 30 years of overall law enforcement service in Montana

· Montana Law Enforcement Academy graduate (4/30/99)

· FBI Command College graduate (10/13/23)

· In excess of 1,376 law enforcement, leadership, supervisory & investigative training hours (MT. POST)

· MT. POST law enforcement certificates: Peace Officer Basic, Peace Officer Intermediate, Peace Officer Advanced, Peace Officer Supervisory, Peace Officer Command, Coroner Basic, Peace Officer Instructor, Firearms Instructor

· State of MT. Private Investigator License #49768 (Pending)

· State of Montana registered LLC

· Federal IRS EIN registration

· ZH Investigations is licensed and insured to operate in Montana

· During my law enforcement career, I have conducted thousands of complex criminal investigations and employment background investigations. Retired as Detective Lieutenant with the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office

Professional References

I have worked with Zae for over twenty years as a colleague on projects ranging from procurement and deployment of mission-critical systems, to public information and community relations, to responses to major and critical incidents. This wide range of experience affords a unique level of insight into effective relationships and achieving results.

Zae's experience includes budgeting, strategic planning, leadership, organizational culture, public relations, investigations, interviewing, and candidate screening. He has conducted many background investigations for me over the years, with all yielding informative results and identifying the right Team members for our organization.
I highly recommend ZH Investigation if you are looking to identify, recruit and hire new Team members who can provide a positive impact to your organization and mission.

Erik Hoover
Director - Office of Emergency Management
Ravalli County, Montana

I have had the privilege of working alongside Zae Hudson for the past five years, including two years serving together on the MT APCO Board. Throughout this time, I have found Zae to be a person of honesty and integrity who consistently follows through on his commitments. His dedication to public safety and his ability to lead with professionalism makes him someone I want to work with.

Tim Martindale Jr – Director

Gallatin County, MT, 911

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