Pearson, David
Top 20 Tactical Concepts: 6-10

This course is broken up into four (4) separate presentations. Attendees may attend any number of the presentations. Different concepts included in the Top 20 will be covered in each session.

The Top 20 is an in-depth look at concepts that are foundational to the mindset, philosophy, and tactical considerations of today’s law enforcement officers. These concepts are essential to daily and critical decision-making and are applicable to officers, supervisors, and managers in patrol and special operations and can be used to navigate all critical incidents including suicidal calls and crowd management events.

Regardless of previous experience, participants should come away with a better appreciation of concepts such as: Balanced Officers (warrior v guardian), the Soft Skills, De-escalation, OODA loop, Tactical Decision Making, the Safety Priorities, Officer Jeopardy, Opportunity, the 4 C’s, Space and Time, Tactical Pause, and Scenario Based Integrated Training, to name a few. This appreciation and understanding can help attendees become more balanced, improve their leadership skills, and make better informed, consistent, and defensible decisions in daily operations and critical incidents by utilizing a 5-step decision-making model.

A specific discussion will deal with ways to approach suicidal calls by applying many of the concepts discussed during all four segments. The concepts will be delivered using incident and video debriefs.

David Pearson - Bio
David Pearson began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Prince Georges County (MD) Police, then went to the Thornton (CO) Police Department from 1992-1995. Dave started with the Fort Collins (CO) Police Services in 1995, retiring in 2021. He served as a SWAT team leader for eight years before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2011. As a lieutenant, David has served in Criminal Investigations, Professional Standards, the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, and as Acting Assistant Chief. David has been instructing since 1996 on over a dozen topics. Since 2005, David has been an instructor for the NTOA and teaches a wide variety of topics, most notably the Less Lethal Impact Projectiles, Chemical Agents, & Noise Flash Diversionary Device Instructor course. David has certified over 1000 instructors in the United States and Canada on less-lethal munitions. Since 2013, he has served in the role of NTOA Less Lethal Section Chair.