Meet the SWAT Instructors
Brian Aponte
Current: Cape Coral Police Department (SW Florida)
I was the first SWAT K9 operator that we had on the team in the region, so I helped to develop the program moving forward, we have added 3 additional SWAT K9 operators to the team and I have also advised regional teams on SWAT K9 integration.
Brian Aponte - Current: Cape Coral Police Department (SW Florida)
Current: Cape Coral Police Department (SW Florida)
2010 – Present:
- SWAT team fully certified and operational member of a 30 man team
- SWAT team K9 operator and assistant team leader
- Sniper team assistant team leader
I was the first SWAT K9 operator that we had on the team in the region, so I helped to develop the program moving forward, we have added 3 additional SWAT K9 operators to the team and I have also advised regional teams on SWAT K9 integration. I have developed and continue to instruct SWAT K9 operations for entry with the team, suspect extraction, high risk traffic stops, small tactical team movements and tactical tracking with SWAT operators and K9.
SWAT formal training includes NTOA basic SWAT school, NASTA basic SWAT school, CTS NFDD (flash bang) instructor, FSA Sniper School, Snipercraft team leader course, NTOA week long team leader course, Special tactical problems course, GLOCK armorer, I developed Survival Armors first Tactical operator K9 vest (currently used as a dual SWAT and everyday wear K9 handler tac-vest) I have also competed in several SWAT competitions to include regional and national competitions (FSA Round-up). I have developed a training method for utilizing laser guidance for K9’s in special tactical situations, developed K9 handler down protocols for our SWAT team. Currently working with my second on the SWAT team.
CCPD K9 handler / trainer / NPCA certifying official / FDLE K9 team instructor : 2009 to present
K9 Related Schools:
Patrol / narcotics detection basic 600 hour school
Several Decoy seminars, Law Dog Seminar, several Narcotics / Interdiction seminars, Organized / hosted / participated SKIDDS course in Cape Coral 2010, e-collar course with Justin Rigney, Assisted in hosting NPCA National seminar in Lee County 2012, 1st place team in narcotics detection and 2nd place team in NPCA’s National competition 2012, Dangerous drugs class, Street crimes class, 2012 started my first K9 school as a co-instructor and then eventually taking over the training program, HITS seminar, NPCA national conference in Orlando, Canine 360 Liability 2x, Bret Titus Tac Dog seminar 2x (we hosted one), several advanced detection courses, hosted a 3 day advanced K9 seminar with Wayne Dodge, I have screened and tested 100’s of patrol dogs and SWAT, Founder of the SWFL K9 competition (earned a 2nd place finish in the competition 1st year) , Bravo-3 seminar in Daytona, “Sniff and Bite” seminar with Carlos Ramirez and Cameron Ford, attended and hosted K9 medical seminars, updated and developed K9 perimeter and search protocols for our police department. I have also developed various K9 related training programs for our department to include, marker training, K9 tac med, and our Narcan program for K9.
Civilian dog training related:
Trained in Schutzhund clubs throughout SWFL, achieved IPO 1&2 with my first Schutzhund dog, certified Schutzhund “helper” (decoy), Developed and helped to open SWFL’s first indoor dog training facility (Pet Coral), previous Canine Good Citizen evaluator, previous general manager and head trainer of Pet Coral, attended several Schutzhund seminars throughout FL, Owner of Guardian Canine Services LLC (pet training, no longer active) Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
- U.S.A.F Security Forces Military Working Dog Handler 1999-2007
- Patrol / Explosive Detection Dog handler
- Deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2006 in Kuwait and Iraq
- 1st place MWD team at McGuire AFB competition
- Top Dog Graduate from MWD school
Todd Thompson
Todd is a 19 year veteran of law enforcement and is currently assigned to patrol for a Colorado police department just south of the Denver Metro area. Todd served 18 years assigned to the K9 unit.
Todd Thompson
Todd is a 19 year veteran of law enforcement and is currently assigned to patrol for a Colorado police department just south of the Denver Metro area. Todd served 18 years assigned to the K9 unit. During that time, he has served 9 years with the department’s Emergency Response Team (SWAT). Being a new team, Todd’s responsibility was to handle and integrate a working dog in the tactical arena.
That task brought him in contact with some of the nation’s top instructors in the subject matter. Humbly earning instructor certifications in patrol dog and tactical deployment dog (SWAT Dog). Over the years Todd has had the honor of working with different local, state, federal, and military K9 groups. Todd’s time serving his community has earned him the honors of several lifesaving awards as well as one of the department’s highest awards, the medal of valor.
His passion is to see true communication and trust between handler and dog in even the toughest of circumstances. Todd, forever the student, continues to learn from instructors and colleagues within the industry; including maintaining his certification as a national certify Judge for the National Police Canine Association in patrol, detection, and soon the newly developed SWAT Dog certification.
Gavin
Gavin is a Former K9 handler for the US Military and currently trains police K9s aswell as sport dogs in PSA. He has experience training 100s of single and dual purpose K9s while specializing in Small Unit Tactics and K9/operator integration.