Matt Harden – Owner & Lead Instructor
Matt Harden is a proud U.S. Marine Corps Infantry veteran with deployments to Iraq, Panama, and Chile. He led an infantry squad during the initial invasion of Iraq (OIF), where his leadership and training were put to the ultimate test. His military service, spanning both the pre- and post-9/11 eras, shaped the foundation of his tactical mindset and training philosophy.
Following his time in the military, Matt transitioned into law enforcement, serving on multiple SWAT teams as a sniper and Team Leader. He also worked in a full-time surveillance unit and took on a leadership role as a Program Supervisor, where he was instrumental in modernizing his agency’s firearms program. His efforts focused on advancing training methodologies and ensuring officers were equipped with practical, effective skills.
Matt is a California POST-certified firearms, active shooter instructor and less-lethal/chemical agents Instructor. Matt is also a Direct Action Resource Center law enforcement counter terrorism level 1 & 2 graduate. He is passionate about delivering progressive, high-quality training that prepares individuals for real-world challenges. In addition to his agency work, Matt serves as a Training Advisor to the California Reserve Peace Officers Association (CRPOA), helping support the development of reserve officers statewide. His guiding principle: “People don’t rise to the occasion—they revert to their training.”
CHRIS, INSTRUCTOR and K9 SPECIALIST
Chris is a 13-year U.S. Marine Corps infantry veteran with combat deployments to Somalia and Iraq. He also served two tours with Marine Corps Security Forces, including a deployment to Guantanamo Bay with the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Team Company.
After completing his military service, Chris began his law enforcement career, serving as a police officer, K9 handler, Field Training Officer, and SWAT tactical handler. He also spent time as a detective, working complex investigations before promoting to his current role as a patrol sergeant.
Chris has been a California POST-certified Firearms Instructor and Less-Lethal Instructor since 2007. With a passion for training, he enjoys the challenge of working with students from diverse backgrounds, adapting to various learning styles, and equipping them with the skills they need to perform under pressure.
CHRIS, INSTRUCTOR and ACTIVE SHOOTER SPECIALIST
Being a Police Officer was a childhood dream of mine. I was fortunate enough to get hired on at a very young age which allowed me to grow into this very progressive and dynamic field.
I am currently a California Police Officer Standards & Training (POST) certified firearms instructor, less lethal instructor, as well as rifle instructor. I am a former member of my agency’s gang unit, current narcotics detective, and a team leader on my agency’s SWAT team. Through my experiences working in the gang and narcotics units as well as the SWAT team, I have become proficient in tactics ranging from basic patrol and plain clothes operations, to high risk warrant services and hostage rescue techniques.
I am a certified active shooter instructor through: Multi-Assault, Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC), California POST, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), and ALICE Training Institute. I am also the lead active shooter instructor for my agency and assisted with developing my agency’s response and training protocols to Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Incidents.
I have had the opportunity to train with Law Enforcement personnel and civilians from around the country. I am extremely passionate about training and I enjoy passing on any and all knowledge I can in order to make us all as safe and proficient as possible.
Dyno, INSTRUCTOR, Taser & Defensive Tactics Specialist
With 9 years in law enforcement, I'm a certified Defensive Tactics and Axon Taser Instructor, managing my team’s Taser program. As a Field Training Officer, SWAT operator, former gang unit detective, and FAA-certified UAV pilot, I bring tactical experience and specialized training to every mission.
Alex, INSTRUCTOR & RDS SPECIALIST
Alex is a full-time peace officer in the San Francisco bay area. He is a POST certified firearms instructor, POST certified academy instructor, TASER instructor, and a current member of his office’s range staff. Alex has assisted his office in transitioning all sworn staff members to red dot equipped handguns. He regularly teaches a two-day POST approved instructor-level red dot handgun course. Alex holds armorer certifications for the Sig Sauer P320, the Staccato 2011, and Colt AR15, M4, and M16. When not teaching for his office, Alex regularly competes in USPSA (Carry Optics division) to better hone his skills. He makes a constant effort to become the most proficient instructor possible.
Troy, INSTRUCTOR and TACTICAL SPECIALIST
Troy served with distinction for 26 years at a San Francisco Bay Area police agency, building a career grounded in operational excellence and real-world leadership. Throughout his service, he came to embrace a critical truth: in moments of high stress, we don’t rise to the occasion—we fall back on our level of training.
Driven by a deep commitment to officer safety and performance, Troy transitioned into the role of departmental trainer, focusing on preparing his fellow officers for the demands of the field. Today he brings that same passion and expertise to a wide array of law enforcement professionals.
Troy specializes in firearms instruction and tactical leadership development, equipping officers with the practical skills and mindset needed to operate effectively under pressure. His mission is to keep officers safe, share cutting-edge knowledge, and strengthen their ability to lead and perform in complex environments.
Kyle, Instructor, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Kyle has over 12 years of combined experience in Law Enforcement, including civilian and sworn positions. He spent several years working in his department’s gang unit and has spent the last 5 years on his department’s SWAT team. He is a Field Training Officer and holds POST instructor certificates as a Firearms Instructor, Weaponless Defense Instructor, Ground Control Instructor, Impact Weapon Instructor, Active Shooter Response Instructor, Red Dot Instructor, and Use of Force/De-escalation Instructor. He has also attended other courses to enhance his skills and capabilities such as High Risk Warrant Service, Plain Clothes Operations, Surveillance Operations, Use of Force Analysis, Criminal Interdiction, High Risk Vehicle Stop Instructor and many more. Kyle spent over 3 years as a Region 1 Board Member for the California Narcotics Officer Association.
Kyle currently holds an ISSA Certification as Tactical Conditioning Specialist and is a Strength and Conditioning Coach that specializes in tactical athletes such as Police, Fire and Military Personnel.
Kyle has a passion for learning, teaching and coaching. While self-improvement and the constant desire to learn is always high on his priority list, he also loves to help others and is grateful for the opportunity to share his experiences of both success and failure.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17
Chris S, Instructor, Tactical Operations
Chris grew up on the East Coast, where he played collegiate football while earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Health Education. After college, he moved to California and began his law enforcement career in the Bay Area.
Chris currently serves as a member of his agency’s Gang Unit and SWAT Team. He is a California POST-certified Firearms Instructor and Active Shooter Instructor with specialized training and certifications in Hostage Rescue, Active Shooter Response, Plainclothes Operations, High-Risk Warrant Service, Operational Planning, and Armored Vehicle Rescue.
Driven by a passion for service and continuous growth, Chris remains a lifelong student—regularly attending advanced training and sharing his knowledge with both law enforcement professionals and civilians. He’s humbled by every opportunity to contribute to the safety, readiness, and development of others.
Rose, Instructor, Tactical Drone Specialist
Rose is a certified FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot with extensive experience in tactical drone operations and public safety program management. Since earning her certification in 2018, she has supported hundreds of real-world SWAT, patrol, and street-level deployments. In 2021, she became Program Manager for a large Sheriff’s Office UAV unit, overseeing training, operational readiness, and cross-jurisdictional deployments.
She is proficient with DJI (Mini, Mavic, FPV, Matrice 200/300/30), BRINC, and Skydio platforms, as well as various live-streaming applications. Rose also holds Level 1 and Airborne Thermography certifications, enabling expert use of thermal imagery in tactical and search operations. She continues to train law enforcement personnel in the safe, strategic integration of UAS technology in high-risk environments.
Bruno, Instructor, Auto Theft & Vehicle Crimes Expert
Bruno is a nationally recognized, award-winning law enforcement officer with over a decade of investigative experience. He currently serves as an Investigator for a statewide agency in California, where he specializes in vehicle theft, street racing, sideshow enforcement, and modified vehicle investigations.
Bruno is a subject matter expert in modern vehicle theft trends, including VIN switching, key cloning, and OBD-II bypass methods. He serves as a Federal Task Force Officer, a certified Vehicle Theft Investigator, and a lead instructor for both the Statewide Street Racing/Sideshow curriculum and the Institute of Criminal Investigation (ICI) Vehicle Theft course. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Western States Auto Theft Investigators (WSATI) – Northern Chapter.
His work spans federal and state jurisdictions across the U.S., and he has contributed to legislative efforts to strengthen vehicle theft enforcement laws. Bruno is passionate about equipping investigators with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of auto theft and modified vehicle crime. His instruction combines firsthand experience with practical investigative techniques designed for today's complex criminal environment.
ADRIANA, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Adriana is the operations manager for Optempo Training Group. She is one of the first points of contact for all client and contract interactions. In addition, she manages all of the logistics, schedules, online store and administrative duties for Optempo. Adriana holds a Bachelors degree from The University of California Davis. She began her career in Law Enforcement as a Deputy Probation Officer in Central California and then joined a major metropolitan city in the Bay Area as a Supervising Probation Officer. She has worked in Investigations, General Supervision, Offender Link and Sex Offender Units. She has taken several POST certified courses and continues to update her shooting credentials through personal instruction from one of her favorite instructors- owner Matt Harden. You may see Adriana making occasional range appearances and helping out at major events.