 Major Theodore Golden Click for Bio & Other Info INCUMBENT |  Major Todd Payne Click for Bio & Other Info |
Major Theodore Golden
Major Theodore R Golden IV is a second-generation Law Enforcement Officer who began his law enforcement career in 2003 with the DeKalb County Police Department in Decatur, Georgia. He joined the force after his football career with the New York Giants came to an end. He also played football at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and later earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Golden joined DeKalb's SWAT Team in 2006 and worked his way up to SWAT Team Commander in 2015. He is an instructor in Firearms, Active Shooter, Less Lethal, FSDD, and Chemical Agents. Golden joined NTOA as an instructor in 2018. Golden is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class #289.Major Golden serves as an Eastern Region Director for the NTOA.
2025 NTOA Eastern Regional Director Letter Golden
Major Theodore R Golden IV is a second-generation Law Enforcement Officer who began his law enforcement career in 2003 with the DeKalb County Police Department in Decatur, Georgia. He joined the force after his football career with the New York Giants came to an end. He also played football at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and later earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Golden joined DeKalb's SWAT Team in 2006 and worked his way up to SWAT Team Commander in 2015. He is an instructor in Firearms, Active Shooter, Less Lethal, FSDD, and Chemical Agents. Golden joined NTOA as an instructor in 2018. Golden is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class #289.Major Golden serves as an Eastern Region Director for the NTOA.
2025 NTOA Eastern Regional Director Letter Golden
Major Todd Payne
Major Todd S. Payne has served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orlando, Florida, since 1994 and currently commands the Special Operations Division, overseeing Narcotics, Traffic, Specialized Patrol, Aviation, the Reserve Unit, and the Dive Team. As a Major and High-Risk Incident Commander, he leads the overall command and resolution of critical incidents that require resources beyond those of traditional first responders. From 2014 to 2024, he was Captain and SWAT Commander, responsible for the SWAT Team and the administrative command of the Hazardous Devices Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Emergency Response Team, Critical Incident Management Team, HRIC Tech and Intel Teams, and the Emergency Management Unit, while also chairing the Regional Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
Payne's tactical career began in 1996 with the OCSO SWAT Team, where he served as operator, instructor, and leader. He has been an active member of both the NTOA and the Florida SWAT Association for more than 20 years. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2003 to 2011, deploying during Operation Enduring Freedom as a Tactical Supervisor with Naval Coastal Warfare Group 2, Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces.
Major Payne holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida (2002) and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University (1989). Beyond his operational roles, Payne has served on various boards, worked as an instructor in law enforcement, military, and athletics, and taught as an adjunct professor of criminology.
Payne - Letter of Recommendation
Payne - Immediate Supr NTOA LOR
Payne Todd - Resume
Major Todd S. Payne has served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orlando, Florida, since 1994 and currently commands the Special Operations Division, overseeing Narcotics, Traffic, Specialized Patrol, Aviation, the Reserve Unit, and the Dive Team. As a Major and High-Risk Incident Commander, he leads the overall command and resolution of critical incidents that require resources beyond those of traditional first responders. From 2014 to 2024, he was Captain and SWAT Commander, responsible for the SWAT Team and the administrative command of the Hazardous Devices Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Emergency Response Team, Critical Incident Management Team, HRIC Tech and Intel Teams, and the Emergency Management Unit, while also chairing the Regional Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
Payne's tactical career began in 1996 with the OCSO SWAT Team, where he served as operator, instructor, and leader. He has been an active member of both the NTOA and the Florida SWAT Association for more than 20 years. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2003 to 2011, deploying during Operation Enduring Freedom as a Tactical Supervisor with Naval Coastal Warfare Group 2, Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces.
Major Payne holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida (2002) and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University (1989). Beyond his operational roles, Payne has served on various boards, worked as an instructor in law enforcement, military, and athletics, and taught as an adjunct professor of criminology.
Payne - Letter of Recommendation
Payne - Immediate Supr NTOA LOR
Payne Todd - Resume