EXPERTS GUIDING EVERY COURSE

Proven Professionals Behind Every Course

Government agencies, first responders, and military organizations depend on qualified instructors who understand the realities of the field. Our team is composed of highly experienced professionals who combine operational knowledge with extensive instructional backgrounds, delivering law enforcement training that is practical, relevant, and aligned with today's public safety demands.

Police officers behind yellow caution tape.

Expertise Across Specialized Fields

Our training team delivers expert instruction across a wide range of law enforcement, public safety, and leadership areas. Training topics include leadership and organizational development, ethics and professional standards, first responder mental health and resilience, modern policing strategies, violent extremism, narcotics investigations, cartel operations, criminal street gang investigations, threats to critical infrastructure, intelligence and information sharing, officer safety, and other emerging public safety challenges. Programs are designed to provide practical, real-world knowledge that supports operational effectiveness, professional growth, and mission readiness.

Training Grounded in Operational Experience

From leadership training to policing violent extremism, our instructors draw upon extensive field experience to provide meaningful instruction that supports sound judgment, preparedness, and professional performance. Their backgrounds allow agencies to gain practical perspectives that extend beyond theory and focus on real-world application.

Instructor Bios

Bob Dougherty

Bob Dougherty worked for 25 years as an undercover Operations Officer for the CIA. He has deep operational experience in the U.S., Europe, Central America, South America and he Middle East. Bob has successfully worked against foreign terrorist groups such as The Islamic State, Al-Qaida, Hezbollah, HAMAS, Sendero Luminoso, Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, the Japanese Red Army, and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

In addition, Bob has extensive experience in working against Iranian state sponsored terrorism, and government of Iran intelligence and procurement operations worldwide. During the time period before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Homeland, Bob worked as the senior CIA officer on a FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) – which provided him substantive experience working the terrorism target inside the U.S. and in foreign countries through “over the horizon” operations.

Bob has served as a subject matter expert instructor on terrorism and countering terrorist cells inside the U.S. and overseas for a variety of classes attended by law enforcement, U.S. government federal officers, U.S. military personnel, and civilian specialist first-responders. Bob has instructed over 7500 American law enforcement personnel over the last several years. Bob is a senior instructor on HUMINT and Counter-Terrorism for U.S. military special operations elements including Naval Special Warfare and U.S. Army Green Beret units. Bob is also an adjunct professor at the California Specialized Training Institute – the State of California POST training entity for law enforcement personnel, and is a certified instructor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Bob has personally developed, managed and carried out multiple high-profile operations during his career that lead to the capture of several high-profile terrorists, and the effective dismantling of terrorist networks. Bob has spoken at several National Level conferences as a keynote speaker and has published articles and analytical pieces on International Security and Terrorism issues. Bob is part of the guest speaker network of SpyScape and one of his major counterterrorist operations (the capture of Abu Abbas) was subject of a SpyScape podcast.

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Arman

Arman was born in Iran and raised as a Shiite Muslim. Following the Islamic Revolution and the subsequent Iran-Iraq War, he was forced into self-exile in 1982. After spending time in Europe, he immigrated to the United States, first residing in New York City before relocating to Washington, D.C.

He later settled in California and began his law enforcement career in 1997. From 2004 to 2010, he served in the Office of Counter Terrorism, where he collected, analyzed, and investigated criminal intelligence related to international and domestic terrorism, organized crime, and extremist activities.

From 2010 to 2011, Arman deployed to Afghanistan in support of U.S. Coalition Forces, assisting with counter-improvised explosive device (IED) operations. Upon returning to the United States, he resumed his law enforcement duties. From 2016 until his retirement in 2021, he served in the Intelligence Unit, focusing on domestic and international threats to national security.

Throughout his law enforcement career, Arman held a variety of operational and investigative assignments, including patrol officer, field training officer, bicycle officer, SWAT operator, SWAT tactical marksman, K9 agitator, detective, and intelligence officer assigned to the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC).

Since 2003, Arman has trained law enforcement and military personnel in a range of tactical, intelligence, and security-related disciplines. He has also been featured in several law enforcement publications and is the author of a book published prior to his deployment to Afghanistan.

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Frederick J. Simon

With extensive experience working on numerous high-profile cases worldwide, Mr. Simon partnered with public and private entities to help defend against terror and criminal enterprises.

Later in his career, he coordinated various FBI programs that assisted in safeguarding public and private entities such as large
corporations, Defense Contractors, Sports & Entertainment venues, Social Network companies, and Cyber Security companies.

Specifically in the Public Sector, he assisted the US Military, Police & Fire Departments, and was ultimately selected to serve as the primary Congressional Liaison for the FBI’s largest Area of Responsibility (AOR). Over the years, Mr. Simon created customized training courses, and provided training for thousands of people in various topics such as Situational Awareness, Active Shooter, Risk & Vulnerabilities, Insider Threat, Scams/Fraud, DeEscalation, Terrorism, Human Trafficking, and Internet/Cyber Security. He has also assisted US National Fusion Centers in the execution of a multitude of Risk and Vulnerability Assessments for private and public organizations.

Now retired from the FBI, Mr. Simon provides a variety of security and safety-related services and training to private and public entities in need. Lastly and most recently, Mr. Simon has been accepted as an Adjunct Professor at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI), the State of California POST training entity for law enforcement personnel.

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Juan Cephas

Juan Cephas is a retired law enforcement professional, academy instructor, and wellness educator with more than two decades of experience developing and delivering training for peace officers. Throughout his career, he has focused on enhancing officer performance, promoting public safety, and preparing law enforcement personnel for the complex demands of modern policing.

With over 24 years of police academy instructional experience, Juan has trained and mentored thousands of recruits and veteran officers in use of force decision-making, defensive tactics, tactical communication, officer safety, leadership, fitness, and survival skills. His approach to training emphasizes sound judgment, ethical decision-making, effective communication, and the development of physical and mental resilience under stress.

In addition to his instructional work, Juan has held leadership roles overseeing law enforcement training programs across a variety of disciplines. He has contributed to the development and delivery of curriculum focused on professionalism, ethics, leadership, community engagement, cultural awareness, tactical communication, and officer wellness.

Juan’s experience also includes international training assignments, where he worked with law enforcement personnel in Mexico on officer safety, defensive tactics, vehicle stop procedures, and field contact strategies. These experiences broadened his understanding of the challenges faced by officers in diverse environments and reinforced the value of professionalism, adaptability, and effective communication.

A dedicated advocate for officer wellness and performance, Juan integrates principles of physical fitness, resilience, and personal development into his training philosophy. His work continues to emphasize the importance of preparing officers not only for operational success but also for long-term health, wellness, and professional growth.

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Matthew Thomas

Chief Matthew Thomas was appointed Police Chief for Florence, Arizona in May 2025 after serving 32 years with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (retiring as the agency’s Chief Deputy). A veteran public safety executive with more than three decades of distinguished law enforcement service, Chief Thomas is a native of Arizona, having grown up in Phoenix and Queen Creek.

Chief Thomas’ career has spanned leadership of specialized units including SWAT, narcotics, anti-smuggling, and patrol operations, as well as major multi-agency investigations targeting transnational criminal organizations.

He spent 18 years serving on the Pinal Regional SWAT Team as a team member, team leader, and commander, participating in and leading hundreds of high-risk operations. Thomas is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations program, and the National Association of Counties (NaCO) Leadership Academy. Chief Thomas is nationally recognized for his expertise in intelligence-led policing, leadership development, and innovative law enforcement strategies.

In 2022, Chief Thomas became a best-selling author with the publication of Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels, which chronicles the frontline efforts of law enforcement officers combating cartel activity along the Southwest border. The book highlights lessons in leadership, resilience, teamwork, and the complex challenges faced by those protecting communities from transnational criminal organizations.

Chief Thomas is known for his unwavering commitment to the community and a servant-leadership philosophy centered on public trust, officer wellness, and resilient policing. Throughout his career, he has prioritized training, mentoring, and developing future leaders while fostering strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. His contributions have left a lasting legacy of professional development, operational excellence, and principled leadership. He has served as an academy director, adjunct instructor, keynote speaker, and national presenter on policing best practices, leadership, border security, special operations, and officer wellness—helping elevate both the profession and the people behind the badge.

In addition to being a vocal champion for constitutional policing and transparency, Chief Thomas has leveraged media and social platforms to promote positive citizen engagement and modernize public safety communication. His career includes pioneering the use of advanced technologies for proactive policing, from seismic monitoring systems and intelligence-driven investigations to tactical innovations in SWAT operations. As Police Chief of Florence, he continues to lead with purpose, integrity, and vision—dedicated to preserving peace, safeguarding the public and developing future leaders.

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David Contreras

David Contreras is a dedicated and accomplished business owner and retired law enforcement professional with specialized knowledge and achievements in international investigations, intelligence training, artificial intelligence in public safety, and criminal and domestic investigations.

He possesses comprehensive knowledge and experience in intelligence-led policing, human intelligence (HUMINT) gathering, intelligence analysis, and strategic planning. He has extensive experience in tracking and apprehending fugitives in foreign countries and is highly experienced in providing counseling, assistance, and training for first responders suffering from PTSD and Active Critical Incident Stress Trauma (ACIST).

Mr. Contreras has extensive experience working in partnership with Mexican law enforcement agencies and conducting training programs in foreign countries. During his career with the San Diego Police Department, he served as Criminal Intelligence International Liaison and HUMINT Team Leader. He also served as the San Diego Police Department’s Public Information Officer for Spanish-language media networks in San Diego and Mexico.

He has extensive experience in curriculum development and instructional design and has delivered law enforcement training courses in Bogotá, Colombia; Panama; Mexico; and throughout the United States. Mr. Contreras possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in Active Critical Incident Stress Trauma (ACIST), community mobilization, and community-oriented policing. He is an expert and advocate of problem-oriented policing methods and theories.

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Gabe Morales

Gabe Morales has dedicated more than 30 years to the criminal justice profession, most recently retiring as a Lieutenant at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Tacoma, Washington. Born in Yakima, Washington, and raised in Seattle, Washington, he witnessed firsthand the impacts of criminal activity, gangs, prostitution, and drug related crime during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Morales served four years in the United States Marine Corps during the 1980s, working in Tactical Air Command Centers. Following his military service, he worked for six years as a Corrections Officer at Folsom State Prison in California and also served youth in group homes throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.

He later returned to Washington State and worked as a Corrections Officer at the King County Jail in Seattle before being promoted to the Classification Section. Over the course of more than 20 years, Morales interviewed and documented criminal background information on thousands of inmates, including female gang members and individuals involved in sex trafficking. In this role, he assisted inmates in accessing programs such as drug treatment and life-skills training. He subsequently became a Classification Unit Supervisor in the Inmate Management Unit.

Morales also served as an instructor for 20 years at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy, providing training to law enforcement and corrections professionals. He has delivered numerous presentations on gangs throughout the United States, including appearances at the California Gang Investigators Association National Conference in Anaheim, California, in August 2025 and at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2025.

He appeared in multiple episodes of the 2025 VICE TV series United Gangs of America, founded the International Latino Gang Investigators Association (ILGIA), and has authored numerous criminal justice articles. Morales is also a frequent lecturer at colleges and national conferences. In addition, he has written more than a dozen books on crime and gang violence and mentors at-risk youth through poetry, mural painting, and motivational speaking.

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JC Lewis

JC Lewis served 28 years as an Artillery Officer in the Marine Corps with multiple overseas and combat tours, retiring as a Colonel in 2019. While on Active Duty he served several tours in the Pentagon, including serving as a Legislative Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He currently serves in the Pentagon within Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Science in Defense Systems Analysis and two Masters of Arts in National Security and Military Studies.

JC holds multiple awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy / Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.

JC has published several articles in professional journals related to power projection in the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility and the future of Marine Artillery.

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Wayne Joseph Caffey

Wayne Joseph Caffey is a dedicated and passionate police officer, detective, and supervisor with over 38 years of experience working custody, patrol, homicide, gangs, gang intelligence, auto theft, narcotic investigations, and multiple undercover/plainclothes assignments in the City of Los Angeles.

Eitan Livne is an Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) consultant and trainer with 30 years of experience across the public and private sectors, working in multiple countries.

Since retiring as an active-duty detective, Mr. Caffey has continued to provide training on street and prison gang topics and expert testimony/investigations expertise to state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

Mr. Caffey is a nationally recognized Subject Matter Expert on street and prison gangs. He has testified as an expert on gangs, narcotics, and/or auto theft in over 500 criminal cases in the Superior Court of California. He has testified, provided depositions, and/or submitted written declarations as a gang expert in eight cases before the United States Federal Court.

Mr. Caffey served as a member of several law enforcement associations and committees throughout the State of California to network and share intelligence. Mr. Caffey was an original committee member and assistant developer for the LAPD's Cultural Diversity and Community/Police Problem Solving training modules. He also provided training for the LAPD DARE Officers School. He has presented and trained over 45,000 police personnel and civilians across the country. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Mr. Caffey grew up primarily in the 77th and University (now Southwest) Divisions.

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Special Agent Oscar Romeo

Special Agent Oscar Romeo began his Law Enforcement career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in 2006 and has served honorably for the last 20 years. He has worked in the East Los Angeles and South Sacramento Area Offices and has been a member of the Advanced Officer Safety Training program, Warrant Service Team, Special Response Team and currently assigned to the Division’s Investigative Services Unit. Prior to joining the CHP, Special Agent Romeo served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

Special Agent Romeo is currently assigned as a TFO with DEA and was prior assigned to a
[HIDTA] Narcotics Task Force that works closely with Local, State and Federal Agencies
throughout California. Special Agent Romeo has spent the last 10 years working mainly in an
undercover capacity and has successfully infiltrated several Drug Trafficking Organizations and
Transnational Criminal Organizations alike. Through his efforts and with the assistance of his
teammates, their investigations have gained national attention on multiple levels.

Special Agent Romeo was named the Narcotics Officer of the Year and was awarded the Alfred
E. Stewart Award, a high honor obtained through the California Narcotics Officer Association.
Special Agent Romeo was also recognized as the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
Detective of the Year for the California Central Valley (CV HIDTA). Special Agent Romeo
remains active in Undercover Operations and has also begun teaching/consulting throughout the
United States, working alongside other well respected and sought-after instructors.

Through collaborative efforts, research and face to face encounters, Special Agent Romeo
provides an in depth look at Mexican Drug Cartels and their culture; both in the past and present.
The relevant information gained through hands on experience serves to better educate not only
those currently active in the war against drugs, but the community at large.

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Eddy Padron

Sergeant Eddy Padron has proudly served with the Wichita Police Department since 1995, building a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in patrol, specialized enforcement, undercover narcotics investigations, and Leadership. Eddy began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer before being selected in 1998 to join the Special Community Action Team (SCAT), a proactive unit dedicated to combating violent gang activity, street-level narcotics trafficking, and quality-of-life crimes.

He served on the SCAT team until 2011, becoming one of the department's certified K-9 handlers during that time. For nearly eight years, he worked alongside his police K-9 in criminal interdiction and narcotics enforcement, playing an instrumental role in the development and
growth of the department's K-9 program from the officer level. His efforts contributed to numerous significant seizures of illegal narcotics and large amounts of U.S. currency connected to criminal activity.

Following his success on SCAT, Eddy was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Undercover Narcotics Section, where he served for nearly six years. During his tenure as an undercover detective, he participated in hundreds of narcotics investigations involving hand-to-hand purchases, buy-bust operations, long-term investigations, and the preparation and execution of numerous search warrants. His investigative work played a key role in disrupting drug trafficking organizations operating within the community.

After being promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Eddy spent one year supervising the Patrol Division, before being selected in 2017 to lead the Undercover Narcotics Section. He currently serves in that role, overseeing complex narcotics investigations and mentoring investigators assigned to the unit.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Padron has participated in thousands of undercover drug purchases, managed confidential informants, supervised complex narcotics investigations, conducted countless suspect and witness interviews, and directed the execution of numerous search warrants. His extensive operational experience, leadership, and commitment to proactive policing have earned him a respected reputation within the law enforcement community.

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Eitan Livne

Eitan Livne is an Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) consultant and trainer with 30 years of experience across the public and private sectors, working in multiple countries.

He began his career in an elite military technological intelligence unit as a linguist and analyst, and has since held intelligence roles in government and the private sector, including organizations such as the CIA, Dataminr, and Amazon Protective Services. His work has spanned real-time threat monitoring, complex investigations, geopolitical analysis, and digital risk mitigation.  Fluent in Arabic and Hebrew, Eitan also brings deep, firsthand insight into Middle Eastern affairs from years of operational work in the region.

Today, Eitan provides tailored intelligence services and hands-on OSINT training to clients around the world, including law enforcement and corporate security teams.

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Anthony "Tony" Elliott

Sergeant Anthony "Tony" Elliott is a San Diego Police Department Patrol Sergeant, SWAT Team Sergeant, and International keynote speaker whose story of survival and remarkable comeback has captivated audiences across the United States, and beyond.

A four-year United States Navy veteran, Tony joined the San Diego Police Department in May 2017, serving as a Field Training Officer, Area Station Investigations Detective, and SWAT Team Officer, before earning the rank of Sergeant and building a career defined by leadership, service, and an unwavering commitment to the communities he protects.

On December 7, 2023, while responding to a stolen vehicle and domestic violence call in a San Diego neighborhood, Tony was shot in the head at close range. The bullet, which came within a millimeter of killing him, remains lodged in his brain to this day. Paralyzed on his entire left side and told he may never walk again, Tony made a decision: he would recover. Not because it was easy, but because a lifetime of facing adversity, embracing failure, and refusing to let any obstacle define him. He had already prepared himself for that exact moment.

Through grit, humor, an unshakable mindset, and the fierce advocacy of his wife, Laura, Tony rebuilt himself from the ground up. He graduating from brain injury rehabilitation and returned to the San Diego  Police Department. This happened just nine months after being shot in the head and fighting his way back onto the SWAT Team. Tony could have taken a medical retirement, but never looked back.

Tony and his wife, Laura, are International keynote speakers. They bring a powerful dual perspective on resilience, wellness, mindset, and the strength of family to law enforcement agencies, military installations, corporations, government bodies, medical institutions, and conferences worldwide. A husband, father of three, and entrepreneur, Tony Elliott is living proof that a life built on purpose,  balance, and the people you love is the greatest armor you can carry.

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Michael J. Weber

Michael Weber began his law enforcement career in 1992. His final assignment was senior investigator and worked within the Los Angeles County metro area.

Throughout the years, Michael has worked a variety of assignments including;
street patrol, field training officer, task force officer, special units, training and
detective.

Michael has worked on a wide variety of investigations, including investigations related to highway criminal interdiction, drug/narcotics, gang and violent crimes. This experience has lead him to complex investigations involving the development of informants, undercover operations, preparing and writing search warrants and warrant execution with tactical entries. In addition, Michael has worked numerous investigations ranging from theft, complex fraud, dangerous felonies and homicide.

Michael has studied Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations and has routinely
met with both analysts and experts in the field, throughout the United States. This
includes meeting with numerous law enforcement professionals and reviewing
threat assessment of the southwest border region.

Michael has received training and certification as an instructor with the United
States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP), in connection with
the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) and El Paso
Intelligence Center's (EPIC) State and Local Training Unit.

Michael is either currently or has held membership with the Long Beach Police
Officers' Association, Los Angeles County District Attorney Investigators’
Association, California District Attorney Investigators' Association, California
Gang Investigators' Association, California Narcotic Officers' Association and the
Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.

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