Our Instructors

Matthew Burnham

Matthew Burnham is an experienced and dedicated law enforcement professional with a true passion for training. Born in Wilmington, DE, Matt has called Virginia’s Hampton Roads region home since 1996. His journey in public service began after attending Longwood University in Farmville, VA, where he majored in education. Matt’s early career included time as an EMT with Sentara, which eventually led him to join the Norfolk Police Department in 2005. Initially assigned to the second precinct street patrol, he quickly transitioned into the detective division in 2009, where he discovered his passion for forensic science.

Over nearly 11 years in the forensic unit, Matt immersed himself in specialized areas such as photography, latent print identification, trace evidence recovery, blood spatter analysis, and ballistic trajectory analysis. As the primary training officer for the unit, he further developed his expertise by moving into the latent print lab. A graduate of the National Forensic Academy, Matt holds certifications as an International Association for Identification Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst and Latent Print Examiner. He is recognized as an expert in forensic science in both Norfolk Circuit Courts and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Currently, Matt serves as a Primary Academy Instructor at the Norfolk Police Academy, where he holds VaDCJS certifications in general instruction, defensive driving, firearms, and defensive tactics. His true passion lies in training, where he finds immense personal fulfillment in guiding others through their learning journeys. Matt believes that the training process is never just one-sided; he gains as much from interacting with others as they do from him. In addition to his instructional roles, Matt oversees the deployment and training of OC spray and Tasers as the department's less-lethal coordinator. He is also a Master Instructor for Axon Enterprises, providing "train the trainer" classes to further develop departmental capabilities.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending quality time with his family, particularly through outdoor activities that allow them to connect with nature. He has a deep appreciation for the great outdoors and often engages in camping, hiking, and fishing trips with his loved ones. These activities not only provide a refreshing break from his professional responsibilities but also offer opportunities to create lasting memories with his family.