Ken,
I have been a police officer for nearly 17 years and teaching law enforcement officers and police recruits in the area of defensive tactics for nearly 13 years. I have held the qualifications of "National Trainer", "Instructor-Trainer", "Staff Instructor", and "Master Instructor" in several disciplines of law enforcement training and have assisted instructing at international conferences such as the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and military personnel prior their deployment overseas.

I have attempted to approach training as a "street officer" and have found that although the techniques taught in a controlled, static environment for a short period of time appear to be effective within that sterile environment, they do not provide the street officer with the required skills to effectively protect themselves let alone take resistive subjects into custody. Many of these skills require too many steps to learn the techniques, take too long or worse yet, are not applicable to the "real" street setting. I do believe however, that each of the systems that I have taught at one time or another were the best available at that time.

The reality is, we can not hold onto something because "that's the way we always have done it", but must look at the ever evolving world of law enforcement and even in the area of subject control must evaluate what we teach, and whether or not it is the correct tool for the "street officer". Since becoming associated with you, your staff and organization I have found that the courses taught regarding subject control are not only effective, easy to teach and learn, but actually step from the paradigm of the traditional police training and provide a simplistic approach to realistic encounters for the officer. It is for this reason that I am sending you this letter.

I have been teaching, and demonstrating your techniques for nearly two years. I have found that these techniques are at the forefront of police training. Every officer that I have taught your system to has walked away with confidence of being able to do the techniques and remain calm. I continue to look forward to being associated with you and your staff and growing to a more competent level in this system. Sincerely,

Steve Decker
Blue Springs, MO. Police Dept.
Western Missouri Regional Police Academy
ASLET # 09573

Ken & Mark,
I want to pass along a recent experience that I had to the both of you. Two weeks ago our Tactical team was called out to serve a High risk search warrant on a "crack" house. The intell. that we had was that the owner of the house had several different types of guns inside the residence. I was the point man, or the first one in once Ty breached the door. As I entered I cleared a living room then entered a kitchen area. The kitchen was between the living room and a large family type room. As I entered the kitchen area I observed a female who was unarmed. I then observed a male in the opening between the kitchen and famly room. This male was holding a handgun in his right hand. The male had the handgun at waist level and pointing down towards the floor. I immediately pointed my FN P-90 at him and using the weapon mounted Surfire M-3 on it I Powered him up, directing the light right into his eyes. This created the reaction that you teach about as the male put his left hand over his eyes and turned his head. The male very quickly dropped the gun and went to the floor. I firmly believe that the by powering him up it took the "fight" out of him and gave me the advantage, even though he was probably ready for whoever was coming into his house. I had placed the 225 bulb in the light mount to give myself that much more light on Tactical calls. I stressed to our bosses how much your training had helped me in this situation and I feel that it did prevent a shooting situation. I later found out that this male was a combat Vet from Vietnam with three tours of duty and had several awards from that time. The principles that you teach showed in this case to have an effect on someone who has had that type of Military training and experience.
Thanks for the training that you guys provide and keep up the great work.

Kurt Skiles