International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Peggy Schaefer
Peggy Schaefer Leads a Dynamic and innovative team comprised of training program reviewers, content experts and software specialists.
Instructor Bio
Dave Harvey
Dave Harvey has served as a military police officer, a Chief of Police and a POST Director.
Dan Howard
Dan has 30 years of service in Public Safety and actively trains IADLEST courses all around the US.
Mark Damitio
Mark has over 40 experience both as a police officer and as a POST and academy director.
Dave Wulff
Dave currently teaches Criminal Justice and Homeland Security at Campbell University and Methodist University.
Mike Wilson
Mike served in the US Army Special Forces, police SWAT and DT instructor. He has worked for the State Department overseas.
Pam Tully
Pam retired from the NC State Bureau of Investigation after starting her career as a patrol officer.
Bruce Alan Barnard
Bruce is a former federal prosecutor and a retired FLETC Senior Legal Instructor who has trained over 30,000 law enforcement officers.
Hector Hernandez
Hector is a veteran, an immigrant, an entrepreneur, a former law enforcement officer, a professional dog trainer, and now a public speaker,
Robert Brzenchek
Robert's background includes law enforcement officer, military member in the intelligence community, emergency management specialist, UAV instructor, and higher education administrator.
Michael Parker
Michael Parker is a consultant after 32 years of service with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), California, the second largest policing agency in the United States.
Steve Gregory
Steve is California’s first working journalist to become a POST-certified instructor.
Steve is an adjunct instructor with the Los Angeles Police Academy
Tony Moore
Tony is a recognized expert on social media investigations, cryptocurrencies, and emerging internet trends and holds Basic and Intermediate Instructor Certifications with California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Scott Donaldson
Scott currently serves as Director of the Collin College Law Enforcement Academy located in McKinney, Texas. Scott is responsible for directing, managing, and promoting all activities of law enforcement training, instruction, staffing, activities, facilities, professional relationships and regulatory guidelines.
Steve Ashley
Steve is an active law enforcement trainer, risk manager, consultant, and author, and frequently serves as an expert witness in use-of-force, motor vehicle operations, police procedures, and corrections practices cases.
John Edwards
John is the author of two books, thirty-one different law enforcement training curriculums, and many national and international publications regarding police operations, leadership, and management.
John Ferguson
John teaches academy level classes at the Arkansas POST's LE Academy. He holds Instructor, Firearms, Senior Police Officer and Level II Chief of Police certifications
Paul Cunningham
Paul is a Master Peace Officer licensed by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement and holds numerous certifications, including several instructor certifications from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Alberto Alonzo
Alberto currently serves as a Commander with the Tulane University PD. He trains in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, EMT and Firearms.
Michael Brave
Michael is a certified TASER instructor, legal advisor and a specialist in risk management. He has been a certified police officer since 1983. He is a qualified instructor in a variety of areas, and has delivered training in five countries outside of the US
Kerry Mensior
Kerry is a Sergeant with the San Diego PD. He also earned the designation of Master Training Specialist in the Navy. He is qualified to teach a wide range of topics. His current emphasis is Communications.
Uliks Gjonaj
Uliks is the creator of the Commando Defense Academy Swiss in Switzerland. He earned his initial certifications in the USA. He is certified in multiple forms of hand-to-hand and weapons training. He delivers training to officers throughout Europe, Israel and the US.
John Combs
John retired from the N. Carolina DOJ in 2016 as Program Director for Subject Control/Arrest Techniques and PT Instructor Training. He has over 30 years experience in law enforcement and is still a reserve deputy sheriff. He has instructor certifications in Firearms, Explosives and HAZMAT among others.
John Lanier
John is a retired lieutenant with over 30 years experience. He is a 2nd degree black belt in karate, and teaches defensive tactics and physical fitness at Stanly Community College as well as training LE officers throughout the state.
Kevin McCullough
Kevin has over 37 years experience in law enforcement. As the Senior Law Enforcement Specialist for the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group he provides training, policy development assistance, and conducts legal and claims investigations for over 300 OK police departments.
Paul L. Taylor, PhD
Paul is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver where he studies decision making and human error in the context of use-of-force encounters. He is also a Senior Instructor and Course Coordinator for the Force Science Institute. He has over ten years of practical law enforcement experience including time as a department training manager, patrol sergeant, and use-of-force instructor.
Nancy McGee
Nancy served for more than 29 years in theMissouri DPS Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. McGee developed and administered the division’s retail beverage server training program, training thousands of servers of alcoholic beverages on proper service techniques and the detection of false identification.
Al Cobos
Al Cobos has over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He holds a Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Arts from California State University.
Ed Kafel
Edward Kafel has been a sworn deputy with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office since 1998. He has been assigned to the Training Section for the last 16 years. He is his agency’s primary use of force (UOF) instructor and has developed and taught UOF and de-escalation in his agency’s basic law enforcement academies and annual in-service training.
Anthony Bandiero
Anthony is the owner of Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training, a company dedicated to training officers around the country in constitutional law. Blue to Gold’s primary focus is search and seizure, use of force, and interview and interrogation practices.
Anthony worked as a law enforcement officer with experience as both a municipal police officer and sergeant with a state police agency.
Andrew Casavant
Andrew began his law enforcement career in 1976. Serving with various agencies, he held positions in patrol , field training, SWAT and training. In 2000, he accepted a full time position as the Asst. Director at the University of Illinois, Police Training Institute. In 2004, he went to IRAQ as the Bureau Chief, for the DOJ, in charge of all advanced , specialized and reform training.
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams currently serves as a Director of the Firearm Instructors Regional Association located in Trinidad and Tobago. Andrew is responsible for directing and promoting all activities of Law Enforcement training for Instructors. His Law enforcement focus currently is in Instructor Development.
Michael Ferguson
Michael is the lead instructor of Criminal Justice at Kilgore College.
He served with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office in Longview, Texas.
Justin Chapman
Justin is currently a captain with the Sandy City PD. He began his career in 1993. He has developed a SRO training course which he continues to teach. He also developed an active shooter response program called E.S.C.A.P.E. He also instructs for the Blue to Gold training company.
Joe Binns
Joe is a 25 year veteran with the Town of Garner Police Department. He is currently serves as the Bureau Commander over Operations. Joe has been a certified Instructor 2003 and has taught thousands of hours of inservice as well as creating advanced training in leadership, firearms, public information, and Incident Command. He holds both firearms and fitness specialized certifications.
Jon Blum
Jon has more than 27 years of law enforcement and training experience. As the Basic Law Enforcement Training (or POST) Coordinator for the North Carolina Justice Academy, Jon managed all curriculum research, development, and revision efforts for the State mandated entry-level certification course.
James Born
James has been Director of Operations, American Institute for Professional Development, Criminal Justice Curriculum Designers, since 1989.
In the Army he was a Senior Military Police Instructor. He teaches forensics and crime scene investigation.
Lon Bartel
Salvatore Alioto
Michael Clark
Derrick Crews
Derrick serves with the Kernersville PD and has over 20 years experience. He trains defensive tactics, physical fitness, de-decalation, impact weapons and Taser.
Don McCrea
Don is a dynamic trainer, expert witness in search and seizure & use of force, author, and peace officer. He spent the past nine years as an academy instructor. Don also founded Premier Police Training, a national training company.
Nicole Florisi
Nicole started her public safety career in 1999. She is a recognized expert in DRE, SFST and Domestic Violence. She was lead negotiator for her department's SWAT team.
Tony Montanarella
Tony served eight years in the Marnines and seventeen years as a police officer. He has served as and supervised FTO training, as well as firearms and tactics training. As part of VirTra he assists users in maximizing the power of their simulator system to enhance officer safety.
Jason Wustenberg
Jason retired as a Firearms Sergeant from the Phoenix Police Dept in 2017 after 22+ years of service and served as a full-time firearms and tactics instructor for over half of his career.
Jason currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association (NLEFIA).
Anthony Anderman
Anthony is currently serving the Spokane county Sheriffs Office as Instruction Systems Designer. He is an author, speaker and trainer. He developed and implemented a 10-week Command College for the National Police Academy in Pakistan. He has also similar work in Russia and Bangladesh.
David Westlake
David was swore in with the LA County Sheriff's Office in 1996. Now he is with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office teaching CAD, radio, RBT, report writing and computers.
He has also taught citizens about internet safety, fraud and home safety.
Todd Miller
Wren Nealy, Jr.
Wren is a certified Paramedic as well as a peace officer. He is Asst Exec Director of Cypress Creek EMS, Vice Chair of the Emergency Services Sector Coordinating Council for DHS. He is also President of the International Police Mountain Bike Association.
Jay S. Olson
Jay is a 26-year veteran of criminal justice service. Currently with the Minnesota Dept of Corrections, he is responsible for hard skills training in chemical, firearms and defensive tactics, as well as fugitive apprehension, and incident management.
Justin Elliott
Justin, a deputy with the Spokane Co. Sherff's Office, has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. He is a FTO instructor, and also teaches Patrol and Criminla procedures. He is also well versed in curricula development.
Michael Brooks
Mike has been with the Spokane Co. Sheriff's Office for over 14 years. He is an EVOC/PIT instructor and experienced in reviewing pursuit driving, PIT, Post-PIT and Stop Stick policies. He also teaches firearms.
Shawn Walker
Shawn is a former Chief of Police both for Pleasanton, KS and for the Potawatomi Nation. He teaches leadership, control tactics, physical fitness and active shooter tactics.
Jeff Welch
Jeff is an active police officer with over 21 years experience. He is the Training Coordinator for the Hopkins Co. Sheriff's Office. He holds multiple instructor certifications. He is an instructor for Below 100 and a Force Science Analyst.
Anne Kelleher
Anne has served as a prosecuting attorney with the Nez Perce Tribe before moving on to the US Attorney's Office. Working with the Clearwater Co Sherriff's Office, she has taught as a FTO, use-of-force and Taser instructor for over twelve years.
John W. Newton
John is a retired captain from the Greenfield, MA Police Department. He now focuses on Instructor Development, Instructional System Design, FTO programs and Ethics.
Robert C Edmunds
Robert is currently the Senior Training Manager and Chief Instructor Trainer for the ACADEMI Training Center. He specializes in Firearms, Security Management, Instructor Training and Curriculum Development.
Morgan Ballis
Morgan has over 15 years experience as a firearms instructor, tactical trainer and educator. He served 10 years in the Marine Corps. He is a subject matter expert in Active Shooter, and is persuing a Ph.D in Emergency Management.
Larry Stevenson
Larry is a former Denver PD SWAT/K9 officer. He is a master martial artist and international champion in karate, bare-knuckle, kick-boxing and MMA. He teaches verbal de-escalation, tactical communications and close quarters combat survival techniques.
Robert Oatman
Robert is a Certified Protection Professional. After a career with the Baltimore County PD where he developed the first Hostage Negotiation Team in Maryland, he began teaching Executive Protection classes.
Joseph Dulla
Joseph is a 31-year veteran of the LA County Sheriff's Department. He is assigned to the Recruit Training Unit responsible for training over 1,000 deputies and 200 Custody Assistants.
Rick Jacobs
Rick is the founder of Quantum Knowledge Strategic Solutions, Inc of Phoenix, AZ. Quantum is a softwar and training development company created to provide strategic solutions to issues in public safety, private security and the military.
Dustin A. Kulling
Dustin is a 24-year veteran of California LE, regarded as an authority on meth lab investigations. He specializes in teaching communication, emergency management, and leadership. He developed and presents the CA POST "Principles of De-escalation" course.
Brenda Dietzman
Brenda has over 28 years experience in LE and corrections. Her areas of expertise include resilience, generations, recruiting/retention, developing women leaders, and ethics. She is the co-founder of Wayfinder Consulting, LLC. She is both INCI and IICI certified.
Damon Simmons
Damon has over 21 years experience in LE, and has 17 years experience as an instructor. He has served in multiple investigative areas, and now specializes in Officer Heath & Wellness, and Stress Management
Joel Ryan
Joel has over 40 years experience in law enforcement, and has been a certified instructor for most of that time. He is the Exec Director of Technicon Training & Consulting and provides training in Leadership, Management, Hiring Processes, Use-of-Force, as well as other topics.
Wendy Rich-Goldschmidt
Wendy is a career law enforcement officer having served in a variety of positions, ranks and capacities since 1985, including Chief at two different universities. She teaches mulitple topics including Leadership, Ethics and Strategic Planning
Ralph Cummings
Ralph is a board-certified investigator with over 25 years experience. He is a Master TASER Instructor and has also taught baton, handcuffs, firearms, defensive tactics. He is an expert witness and consultant in use of force cases.
Kenneth J. Solosky
Kenneth began his career in 1986 with the NYPD. There he taught crisis intervention, sociology and verbal judo. He later became a pilot in the NYPD Aviation Unit where he also conducted pilot training. He is now Director of Security for a health system encompasing three hospital campuses.
Ellis Amdur
Ellis has worked in the field of crisis intervention since 1988. He has released eighteen profession-specific instructional books concerning communication with seriously mentally ill individuals and verbal de-escalation of aggression.
David Walker
David is the COO & Training Director for Strategies of Youth. He served in the Latah Co Sheriff's Office and the Moscow, ID Police Department. During his career working in technical marketing and communications, he has developed and delivered training to audiences around the world
Robert Woloszyn
Rob is a TCOLE Certified Instructor, retired FBI Special Agent and US Marine Corps veteran. He teaches Informant Handling, Non-Forensic Evidence Collection and Trial Testimony, and Shooting Incident Reconstruction.
Robert Mann
Robert served 25 years in the Orange Co Sheriff's Office and 6 years in the Marines. He now specializes in Instructional Design, Instructor Development, Communications and Leadership.
Mark Candies
Capt. Candies is a 34-year veteran of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office. He teaches use-of-force, active shooter response and officer survival. He is certified in Federal Court in police training techniques, use-of-force and police policy, procedures and protocols.
Ray Farris
Ray retired as Asst Director of the Tennessee POST. Training certifications include Criminal & Constitutional Law, Courtroom Security, Leadership, Internal Affairs, and others. He is Training Director for the Legal and Liability Risk management Institute.
Brian C. Smith
Brian began his LE career in 1978, and retired with the rank of Captain. He continues to work full-time at Prairie State College PD. He serves as range officer and conducts in-service training. He is certified in firearms, defensive tactics, active shooter and tactical team ops.
Brian N. O'Donnell
Brian is a Lieutenant with the Charlottesville PD where he supervises the Training Unit and Firearms Program. In addition he teaches courses focused on the impact of fear in use-of-force events. He is co-creator of the R.E.A.L. Self-Defense for Women curriculum taught at U of VA.
Alana N Williams
After serving ten years as a sheriff's deputy, Alana has transitioned to teaching collegiate criminal justice classes. She also trains in Community Relations, Autism Awareness, Workplace Harassment and Diversity and Inclusion.
Michael Musengo
Mike recently retired as Police Training Commander and Director of a Regional NY Police Academy. His focus is on helping others become more competent instructors, coaches and leaders in law enforcement.
Richard Tullis
Richard has served in law enforcement since 1991. He has instructor cerfications from the NC POST academy in topics such as Officer Safety, SWAT, Firearms Instructor Development, and Subject Control Instructor Development.
Jesse Jahner
Jesse has been a part of the Cass County Sheriff's Office since 1998 and elected sheriff in 2019. He is certified to teach firearms, active shooter, taser, less lethal and chemical weapons, use of force, defensive tactics and EVOC.
Heather Silvio
Heather is a licensed clinical psychologist, and Deputy Director of teh Police Training Institute. She specializes in Verbal & Nonverbal Communication and the Impact of Trauma on Law Enforcement and Communities.
Chris Davis
Chris has a PhD in psychology with a focus on hostage negotiation, crisis intervention, stress and autism. He has four years experience in the military and 20 years in law enforcement with the Boynton Beach PD.
Wendy Hummell
Wendy has 24 years experience first as a Special Agent with the INS, then as a detective with the Wichita PD. She specializes in Resiliency, Officer Wellness, and Mindfullness through Yoga.
Eddie Campa
Eddie is currently the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. He has over 27 years experience in LE serving as Chief in multiple jurisdictions. He specializes in Leadership and Community Policing Development.
Michael Moran
Mike has over 30 years experience in LE, training and law. He is a practicing attorney, and Chief Counsel, Chief Bailiff and Director of Mediation at Franklin Co. Probate Court. He teaches handgun, shotgun, rifle, baton, handcuffing as well as other use-of-force disciplines. He gives additional instruction in tactical communication, non-escalation and trial tactics.
Steve Sheridan
Steve retired from police work as a lieutenant, and continues as a reserve officer. He has 30 years of teaching experience including 20 years with the Florida State Police Academy. He teaches crisis prevention, target-hardening and self-defence and is the founder of the Fortress Fighting System®.
Paul Hasselberger
Paul is the President of the Executive Board of the National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO). He a Lieutenant with the Clifton PD currently assigned to the Training Division. He continues to seek to find a balance between formal education, practical skills and real-world leadership.
Graham Tinius
Graham is a Park Police officer and FTO with the Sandy PD in UT. He teaches basic and advanced FTO, ethics, officer safety and Leadership. He is on the executive board of the National Association of Field Training Officers, and is also a memeber of ILEETA.
Jeffrey Vanhook
Jeff is a Patrol Lieutenant with the Larimer Co Sheriff's Office. He has been an FTO for over 20 years. He is currently the FTO Program Administrator, and a member of the National Association of Field Training Officers.
William "Bill" Powell
Bill is a Sergeant with the Jefferson Co Sheriff's Office in Alabama. He has served as a police officer for over 21 years. He is a Senior Academy Instructor certified in firearms, Taser/CEW, and instructor credentials in other specialized fields.
Eddie Dove
Eddie has over 13 years experience as a police officer. He is a certified instructor in SRO, subject control, use-of-force, and de-escalation.
Jeff Johnsgaard
Jeff is a full-time Canadian police officer having started his career in 2003. He is a defensive tactics instructor, and the Regional Director for the Reality-Based Training Association.
Christine Burke
Christine conducts investigation and provides witness consultation and testimony through her company Strategic Intelligence Services PLLC. She began her LE career in 1988 with the Jupiter PD.
John Youngblood
John retired after serving over 20 years with the LA Airport PD. He is an expert in Aviation Safety & Security, Incident Command Systems and Leadership Development. He was awarded the FTO Officer of the Year Award by NAFTO.
Tyler Packer
Tyler is a Sergeant with the Coconino Co Sheriff's Office Jail Division. He is a certified FTO trainer. He teaches courses Basic Detention Academy and is lead instructor for the Excited Delirium program.
Marc Fioravanti
Marc is an innovator within the field of Detention Services. He is the School Director and In-Service Coordinator for the Guilford Co Sheriff's Office. He is responsible for the Training Academy, Armed Detention Officer Program, In-Service and FTO training
Chief Robert Spinks
Robert Spinks is Chief of Police of the Parsons PD, and has four decades of criminal justice experience. He is a certified instructor in multiple specialties including FTO, Community Oriented Policing, and firearms/DT/Less Lethal Use-of-Force
John Shanks
John is the National Director of the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Police Training Institute. His career began as a Law Enforcement Specialist with the US Air Force, and served as a police officer in San Antonio. He has taught de-escalation, firearms, and investigative techniques.
David Mather
David started as a patrolman and worked his way up to Operations Commnader. He has been associated with LE for over 30 years. He has a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on adult learning methodologies.
He is also IICI certified.
Roman Maier
Roman is a patrol deputy with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.
He hold instructional certificates for defensive tactics, firearms, taser and patrol tactics.
Daniel Knight
Glenn Bakken
Kevin Diehl
John Nave
John is a deputy with the Spokane Co. Sherff's Office. He as been a Defensive Tactics Field Instructor and a Controlled Force Defensive Tactics Instructor. He is an instructor within the Sheriff's Office as well as the Basic LE Academy in Spokane.
William (Liam) Duggan
Liam is the Investigative and Administrative Commander with the Prior Lake PD. He began his career in 1997. He specializes in human performance factor analysis, decision making in force operations, firearms, arrest and control and leadership development.
Joshin Smith
Joshin began his law enforcement career in 1996. He has worked in corrections, SRO, and patrol officer.
He is VP of the NJ National Association of Field Training Officers and currently instructs FTO.
Bryan Klingele
Bryan currently serves as Lieutenant for the Federal Way PD in WA, and has over 20 years experience. He is the Director of the WA State chapter of the National Association of Field Training Officers, and currently instructs FTO.
Kathleen Mitchell
Kathleen is the Director of the Front Range Community College LE Academy. She has over 35 years experience, and retired from the FBI as Executive Manager of their Training Division. She is a nationally recognized expert in instructional techniques and curriculum development.
Daniel Greene
Dan has over 24 years experience in law enforcement. He is currently Executive Director of the national Association of Field Training Officers. He is an SME in defensive tactics instructor, ground survival instructor, FTO, adult learning Instructor, ethics and leadership instructor. He received the 2017 ILEETA Instructor of the Year award