2026 NTOA Hall of Honor Inductee.

This presentation examines the evolution of law enforcement explosive breaching programs, tracing their development from early applications to modern operational practices. Participants will gain insight into the essential components of a successful breaching program, including training, equipment selection, safety protocols, policy considerations, and operational planning.

The session also addresses common challenges and emerging concerns facing agencies today, while providing practical recommendations and proven strategies for building, sustaining, and improving explosive breaching capabilities in a safe, effective, and legally defensible manner.

Keith Frakes retired as a Principal Member of the Technical Staff at the US Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Assigned to the Explosives Arming & Firing Systems Department, he supported research, testing, and training for the Defense, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement communities. Keith was an active member of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) and was the Laboratories Stabilization Program Manager.

Prior to joining Sandia Labs in 2004, Keith served more than 20 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Phoenix, Arizona. He retired at the rank of Captain; having spent most of his career as a Bomb Technician, Tactical Officer and Bomb Squad-SWAT Supervisor. He served over a decade on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). Keith spent over 40 years (Active and Reserve) with the US Army, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four, with prior assignments at USASOC, USSOCOM, Japan, the Pentagon, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.