Thomas J. Aveni

P.O. Box 475
Spofford, NH 03462

Voice Mail (603) 386-6007
 

Fax (603) 363-4809

 Summary

• Dedicated, creative, results oriented, problem solver.
• Established as one of the nation’s most innovative and progressive police trainers within the realm of deadly force.
• Has developed the first definitive thesis explaining so-called "questionable" police shootings.
• As a consultant, in every case in which Mr. Aveni has served, all officers accused of manslaughter or negligent homicide have been exonerated.

Major Accomplishments

• Achieved police certifications in three different states (NJ, UT, NH), having served on either the state or local levels in all three states.
• Earned numerous duty commendations as a police officer for significant felony arrests, as well as several commendations for endeavors as a police trainer.
• Trained over 12,000 police, security and military personnel, from over 23 different countries, while employed as a training coordinator with Smith & Wesson Academy.
• Completed over 90 courses of training involving various aspects of the police application of force.
• Authored numerous articles published in law enforcement periodicals. Currently co-authoring a soon-to-be published text entitled, “Surviving the Nightshift®.”
• Lead instructor of the nationally presented “Deadly Misconceptions” seminar

Occupational Experience

• 2001-Present: Founder & Staff Member, The Police Policy Studies Council
• 1978-1990 / 2000-Present: Police Officer/Trooper. Served full-time on state and local levels of law enforcement for a total of eleven years. Mr. Aveni has  also served as a part-time officer for over three years, and continues to do so at this time. Duties have included patrol, accident investigation, initial criminal investigation, DUI enforcement and other common patrol functions.
• 1990-2001: Training Coordinator, Smith & Wesson Academy, Springfield, MA. Working in this capacity Mr. Aveni has been involved in course research and development, as well as the instruction of most aspects of force application.

Education

• M.S. in Forensic Psychology, AIC, Springfield, MA
• B.S. in Criminal Justice, Westfield State College, Westfield, MA.
• A.A.S. in Police Science, Gloucester County College, Sewell, NJ
   

QUALIFICATIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS & EXPERIENCE

Police Instructor Certifications

• Smith & Wesson Academy “Master Use of Force Instructor” Instructor
• Smith & Wesson Academy “Use of Force Management” Instructor
• Smith & Wesson Academy “Officer Survival 2000” seminar instructor
• PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor
• PPCT Pressure Point Control Instructor
• Smith & Wesson Academy Firearms Instructor
• NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor
• NRA Law Enforcement Rifle Instructor
• NRA Submachine Gun Instructor
• FBI Firearms Instructor
• S&W Academy Submachine Gun Instructor
• S&W Academy Law Enforcement Rifle Instructor
• S&W Academy Scoped Rifle Instructor
• S&W Academy Shotgun Instructor
• S&W Academy Concealed Carry Handgun Instructor
• S&W Academy Reduced Light Training Instructor
• S&W Academy Chemical Munitions Instructor
• Def-Tec Chemical Munitions Instructor
• LECCO Chemical munitions Instructor
• A.S.I. (Distraction Device) Instructor
• Handgun Retention Instructor
• Monadnock PR-24 Instructor

Armorer's Training

• Armorer, S&W Pistol
• Armorer, S&W Revolver
• Armorer, Glock Pistol
• Armorer, Sig-Saur Pistol
• Armorer, Heckler & Koch Pistol/Shotgun/Submachine Gun
• Armorer, Ruger Handgun/Rifle
• Armorer, Remington Arms Rifle/Shotgun
• Armorer, Charter Arms Revolvers
• Armorer, Ithaca Shotguns
• Armorer, U.S. Army trained (Aberdeen, MD)

Commendations & Awards

• Awarded four (4) duty commendations for major felony arrests while serving as a municipal police officer in New Jersey
• Recipient of two “Special Recommendation” awards (12/92) from the Mexican Federal Judicial Police Institute of Training for training provided at their facility
• Awarded “Firearms Instructor Examiner” certification by the Australian Federal Police (9/92) for training provided in Sydney, Australia.
• Awarded “Inspector General’s Integrity Award” (6/94) for training provided to Special Agents with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

Scholastic Achievement

• Maintained 3.6 Undergraduate GPA and 3.7 Graduate GPA despite frequent business travel commitments.
• Acquired/maintained membership in National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Featured Lecturer:

• 2003 ASLET Annual Conference, Ontario, CA
• 2002 MALEFI Annual Conference, Coon Rapids, MN
• 2001 Southern Police Institute Annual Conference, W. Palm Beach, FL
• 1998 IALEFI Annual Conference, W. Palm Beach, FL
• 1994 IALEFI Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV
• 1990 IALEFI Annual Conference, Washington, DC

Specialized Police & Military Courses Completed

02/01 ASLET Annual Training Conference, Orlando, FL
09/00 MCJTC Use of Force Instructor Recertification, Agawam, MA
10/00 Calibre Press, “Street Survival Seminar,” Springfield, MA
10/97 Calibre Press, “Street Survival Seminar”, Staff, Springfield, MA
10/96 S&W Academy “Raid Tactics 1 Course”, Taubert, Springfield, MA
04/96 S&W Academy “CQB Pistol Course”, Taubert, Springfield, MA
01/96 S&W Academy “Close Quarters Defense Course”, Deiter, Spgfld, MA
03/94 PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor, PPCT, Springfield, MA
09/91 Intl. Training Consultants "Urban Rifle Course", Concord, NH
05/91 S&W Pistol Armorer's Recertification, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
05/91 S&W Scope Sighted Rifle Course, Staff, S&W Academy, Spgfld, MA
05/91 S&W Concealed Carry Handgun Course, S&W Academy, Spgfld MA
03/91 S&W Transitional Pistol Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
03/91 S&W Intermediate Pistol Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
03/91 S&W Advanced Pistol Course, Staff, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
02/91 S&W Academy Handgun Retention Instr., S&W Academy,Spgfld, MA
12/90 S&W Chemical Munitions Instr. Course, S&W Academy, Spgfld, MA
10/90 S&W Firearms Instructors Course, S&W Academy,Springfield, MA
08/90 S&W Shotgun Instructors Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
07/90 S&W Submachine Gun Instructor Course, S&W Academy, Spgfld, MA
06/90 S&W Firearms Program Management Course, Lakeshore College, WI
03/90 S&W Firearms Instructor Update, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
10/89 Specialized Policing & Liabilities Course, DDD Co., Atlantic City, NJ
04/89 Def-Tec Chemical Agents Instructor, Def-Tec Inc., Rock Creek, OH
04/89 Tactical Teams Operations Course, Casavant, M.T.T.I., Pomona, NJ
03/89 NRA L.E. Submachine Gun Instructors Course, Recknor, Mt Holly, NJ
10/88 Police Use Of Lethal Force Seminar, Mt. Laurel, NJ
05/88 Tactical Operations Seminar, O'Brien (LEDS), Mt. Laurel, NJ
11/87 Accuracy Systems Instructor Course (Stun Munitions), Mt. Laurel, NJ
10/87 F.B.I. Sniper/Observer In-Service Course, Pomona, NJ
10/87 L.E.C.C.O. Chemical Agents Instructors Course, Pickler, AC, NJ
09/87 Dynamic Building Entry & Search Techniques, Nutshell, Blackwood, NJ
09/87 Glock Armorers Course, Tarley, Cranford, NJ
09/87 Glock-17 Familiarization Course, Kapelsohn, Cranford, NJ
06/87 Tactical Load Bearing Vests for Special Ops, Garrison, Chicago, IL
06/87 Logistical Considerations for Tactical Operations, Weber, Chicago, IL
06/87 Special Purpose Weapons & Employment, Shults, Chicago, IL
05/87 NRA Law Enforcement Rifle Instructors Course, Julian, Quantico, VA
03/87 Heckler & Koch Armorers Course, Shatz, Chantilly, VA
03/87 L.E.C.C.O. Chemical Agents Seminar, Pickler, Atlantic City, NJ
03/87 Control & Restraint Course, Jerdan, Northfield, NJ
11/86 SIG-Sauer Armorers Course, Staff, Tysons Corner, VA
10/86 Pressure Point Control Instructors Course, Staff, Cherry Hill, NJ
09/86 Counter-Terror Response, INTERSEC, Runnemede, NJ
08/86 Handgun Retention Instructors Course, Lindel, Mt. Holly, NJ
05/86 Advanced S.W.A.T. Operations Course, Taylor/A.S.A.A.,Valdez, AK
04/86 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Seminar, USAF E.O.D., Logan, UT
03/86 Firearms Identification Course, Weber State College, UT
01/86 Explosive Entry Concepts, TRA Convention, Las Vegas, NV
01/86 Shooting Simulation Response Course, TRA Convention, LV, NV
08/85 Basic Combat Rifle Course, Taylor/A.S.A.A., Camp Williams, UT
08/85 Special Weapons Course, Taylor/A.S.A.A., Camp Williams, UT
04/85 U.S. Army Small Arms Repair Course, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD
03/85 Monadnock PR-24 Instructors Course, Arsenbault, Pomona, NJ
01/85 Street Survival Seminar, Calibre Press, Atlantic City, NJ
11/84 S&W Chemical Agents Instructors Course, S&W Academy, Spgfld, MA
11/84 U.S. Army Counter-Sniper Course (HONOR GRAD), Ft. Meade, MD
09/84 S&W Pistol Instructors Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
08/84 Smith & Wesson Auto Pistol II Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
08/84 Smith & Wesson Auto Pistol I Course, S&W Academy, Springfield, MA
06/84 Smith & Wesson Pistol Armorers Course, Springfield, MA
03/84 Charter Arms Armorers Course, Staff, Stratford, CT
03/84 Ithaca Gun Co. Armorers Course, Staff, Ithaca, NY
01/84 F.B.I. Firearms Instructors Course, Mt.Holly, NJ
11/83 Remington Arms Co. Armorers Course, Staff, Ilion, NY
09/83 Smith & Wesson Revolver Armorers Course, Springfield, MA
07/83 NRA Police Firearms Instructors Workshop, Camp Perry, OH
06/83 Advanced Street Survival Seminar, PMA, Chapman/Ayoob, Phila., PA
01/83 Sturm-Ruger Armorers Course, Moore, Newport, NH
06/82 NRA Police Firearms Instructors Course, Staff, Allentown, PA
07/79 Tactical Defense Training Course, U.S.A.F.I.C. Staff, Phila., PA

General Police Training

04/00 New Hampshire Basic Police Training for Part-Time Officers
02/86 NATB Auto Theft Seminar, Staff, Logan, Utah
02/86 DEA “Operation Pipeline” seminar, Salt Lake City, Utah
01/86 Adv. Accident Investigation, Utah Hwy. Patrol, Camp Williams, UT
09/85 Intoxilyzer Operators Course, Utah P.O.S.T., Salt Lake City, UT
09/85 Basic Accident Investigation Course, Utah Hwy. Patrol, Ogden, UT
08/85 Radar Operator Certification Course, Utah P.O.S.T., Salt Lake City, UT
07/85 Utah Peace Officer Certification Course, Utah P.O.S.T., SLC, UT
07/83 NJ Breathalyzer Operator Course, NJ State Police, Pennsauken, NJ
06/83 Methods of Instruction Course, NJ Police Training Comm., Camden, NJ
12/80 New Jersey Basic Police Training, Burlington Co. Police Academy, NJ
08/76 Special Security Training, Burlington Co. Police Academy, NJ
03/76 Rape Investigation Seminar, Staff, Gloucester Co. College, NJ

Officers trained by Mr. Aveni who were not of US origin were from the following nations:

Australia, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guam, Hong Kong, Kenya, Italy, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, Tanzania, Trinidad, Turkey, New Zealand, and Venezuela

Email Tom Aveni