FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS

• NRA (Law Enforcement) – Handgun, Shotgun, and Select Fire #2889501

• NRA – (Education & Training) Handgun, Shotgun, Rifle, Personal Protection inside the home, Personal Protection outside the home, Home Firearms Safety, and Advance Pistol Instructor

• NRA Firearms Training Counselor & Chief Range Safety Officer, Appointed March 2013

• Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board – Handgun, Shotgun, and Patrol Rifle

• Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation, Firearms Licensed Instructor License #263.000149

• Illinois Approved Concealed Carry Instructor. 13A375

• Shoot on Steel Instructor – Action Target, Inc.

• Low Light Instructor – Tactical Services Group

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OTHER INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS

• Force on Force Simulation Safety Instructor – M.L.E.F.A.A.

• Distraction Device, Less Lethal Impact, Chemical Munitions, O.C. Pepper Spray– Defense Technologies

• Use of Force instructor, Safariland Training Group

• Active Shooter Instructor Illinois Tactical Officer’s Association

• Civilian  Response to Active Shooter Events  Train-the-Trainer,  ALERRT

• Certified Law Enforcement Trainer, ASLET (American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers)

• National Certified Instructor, (International Association of Directors Of Law Enforcement Standards and

       Training)

• Uscca - Concealed Carry & Home Defense Instructor

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DEFENSIVE TACTICS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS

• Police Self-Defense Instructor, United States Karate Association, Law Enforcement Liaison Division, 1977

• PCB Expandable Baton

• ASP Tactical Baton, 1987

• Pressure Point Control Tactic, PPCT Management Systems, Inc., 1997

• Police Control & Restraint Techniques, Federal Labs, 1995

• Compliance and Control Holds, Larry Smith Enterprise  2007

• Senior Master Instructor License for Defensive Tactics, U.S. Specialized Law Enforcement Training Commission, 2009

• Handgun Retention, ARMA Training, LLC, 2010

• Weapon Retention & Disarm, Tactical Training Associates, Inc, 2010

• Edged Weapon Defense, Tactical Training Associates, Inc. 2012

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PROFESSIONIAL ASSOCIATIONS

• FBI National Academy Associates

• American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens,  Appointed “National President” 2017

• International Law Enforcement  Educators Trainers Association (ILEETA) Charter member

• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, IALEFI Appointed Board of Directors,

• National Rifle Association

• National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)

• National Association of Chief of Police – “Vice President”,  Appointed 2015

• Association of Defensive Shooting Instructors

• Moose Lodge, Chapter #828

• Juko Kai International

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POLICE EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Prairie State College, June 2015 – December 2022, Patrolman (Full-Time)

• Steger Police Department,  December 2010 – Present ,  Patrolman (Part-Time)

• Glenwood Police Department, July 2008 – November 2010, Police Chief

• Chicago Heights Police Department, July 1978 – July 2008, Retired at 30 years of service at rank of Captain

• Consulted and developed the Chicago Heights Park District’s first police department, (April - July 2012)

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MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY

• 10th Degree Black Belt, Goshin Jutsu, Juko Kai International

• 3rd Degree Black Belt, Hakko Denshin Ryu Ju-Jitsu

• 1st Degree Black Belt, Judo, USJA

• Inducted in the Illinois State Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 2007

• Appointed “Shihan” (Master Level) 2007

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AWARDS AND ACHEIVEMENTS

• 2023 "Outstanding Instructor/Dojo of the Year," Juko Kai International

• 2016 “Trainer of the Year,” International Law Enforcement Educators Trainers Association

• 2015 “Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year,” Juko Kai International

• 2014 “Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor of the Year,” National Rifle Association, L.E. Activities Div.

• Recognition Award, for Service and Dedication, South Suburban Emergency Response Team, 2009 & 2011

• Appreciation Award, for Training Services, U.S. Inspector General’s Office, 2001

• 1993 “Outstanding Trainer of the Year”,  Midwest Tactical Training Institute

• Silver Star for Bravery, Hostage Situation, American Police Hall of Fame, 1992

• J. Edgar Hoover Award for Distinguished Public Service, American Police Hall of Fame, 1995

• 2012 & 2013 “Public Service Award” National Rifle Association

• 1981, Founded and Director – Metropolitan Police Self-Defense Institute and the Chicago Heights Ju-Jitsu   

• Academy.  Founded to teach defensive tactics and firearms to law enforcement along with civilians

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SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE

• At Village of Steger, Smith conducts in-service training for the Police, Fire and ESDA departments

• Prairie State College, In-Service Trainer

• At Chicago Heights PD, Smith served as Commander of Training & Special Operations, Range Master, 1995-formed and trained the first Special Operations team, Summer of 2001 & 2002 formed (S.A.F.E.) Selective Area Field Enforcement task force-multi-jurisdictional tactical team, consisted of Chicago Heights, Steger, and South Chicago Heights Police Departments

• 2012, consulted and created the first chartered police department for the Chicago Heights Park District

• Freelance writer with approximately 200 articles published on law enforcement firearms and self-defense topics

• National Security, LTD, Smith trained the first private security tactical team to patrol high risk neighborhoods in Chicago’s North & South sides in 1990-96

• 2001, 2002, trained the U.S. Army Reserves, Battalion 1544 Transportation Unit in Defensive Tactics

• 1982, 1983, Guest Instructor, Ohio Peace Officers Academy, for Defensive Tactics