19 Seconds — Officer Black’s Survival Story
In October of 2024, fellow Trainer Garrett DeMilia and I taught an ASP Instructor Certification (AIC) course in Houston. One of our students was James “Bo” Black, a Texas Tech...
Trainer Talk
19 Seconds — Officer Black’s Survival Story
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RedMan—Train like you fight, fight like you train
"Mention “RedMan” to a police officer, and you’ll usually get a strong reaction. Some remember it as a highlight of their academy training, while others recall it with, let’s say,...
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Hot Topic: Choosing the Right OC Spray
OC spray continues to be one of the most valuable force options available to law enforcement. It fills the gap between empty-hand control and higher force options, and it has...
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Making Bright Choices—Choosing a tactical flashlight
Most law enforcement officers spend a lot of time in darkness...even in the middle of the day. So a reliable, high-performance flashlight is absolutely essential for general illumination, subject identification,...
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Get Hooked Up with the Right Cuffs
Choosing the right law enforcement restraints is a decision that goes beyond personal preference. For many officers, agency policy and standard operating procedures (SOPs) dictate the specific type of handcuffs...
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Take Care of the Gear that Takes Care of You
Today, law enforcement equipment is far more technologically advanced, and like most sophisticated gear, it needs ongoing, thorough maintenance. With care and attention, our modern tools will outlast their predecessors,...
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Make it your Own – 5 Ways to Improve your Teaching
The best and most effective trainers and educators are the ones who find and hone their own teaching style. They master their material and don’t teach by rote. Here are...
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The Legendary ASP Trainer Certification (ATC) - Earning the Coin and Black Shirt
Earning the coin and the black shirt isn’t about ego or status—it’s about legacy, and more importantly, responsibility. Again, ASP Trainers are entrusted to train future instructors, who will return...
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Control Through Impact
Effective control with a baton requires balance and power. Weak strikes may fail, leading to escalation. Power comes from proper technique—especially “time on target,” where the baton momentarily dwells upon...
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Ethics in Policing: Walking the Line Every Day
Every officer knows what it means to walk the line. But not everyone talks about the mental, emotional, and ethical weight that comes with it. Doing the right thing in...
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The Power of Recovery
Recovery isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. Whether it’s soreness after a hard workout, or the weight of a traumatic call that lingers in your mind, recovery is the process by which...
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From Consistency to Legacy: How Discipline Shapes Your Fitness and Your Life
Journeys have highs and lows. Everyone celebrates the mountaintop moments, but it’s in the valleys, the quiet, frustrating, painful parts; this is where real gains are made. Lately, I’ve had...
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The Art of Teaching in Law Enforcement: Hearing, Seeing, Doing, and Feeling
Demonstration is the first step in teaching physical skills, but mastery comes through doing. After seeing a skill performed by an experienced trainer or instructor, students must physically execute it...
