Stephen L. Cohen leading armed tactical team training at a South Florida range

Operational experience translated into instruction

Stephen L. Cohen | Founder and Lead Instructor

Law enforcement firearms instructor, SWAT veteran, federal task force detective, security architect, and founder of Tactical U.

★★★★★ 5.0 Google rating 344 five-star Google reviews
32+ years law enforcement NRA Law Enforcement instructor Tactical U founder

THE TACTICAL U STANDARD

Credentials matter when they support accountable performance under stress.

Training is built to improve mechanics, judgment, documentation, and decisions that can withstand legal and administrative scrutiny.

Operational Authority

  • 32+ years of operational law enforcement firearms training experience
  • Former patrol officer, SWAT operator, and firearms instructor
  • Plainclothes detective with federal task force experience
  • Extensive operational exposure to violent crime and gun-related investigations
  • Dignitary-support experience during high-threat international events
  • Enterprise-level guard force leadership across multi-state operations

Federal & Enterprise Engagement

  • Direct contracting with federal law enforcement training divisions
  • Train-the-trainer technical development for federal instructor cadres
  • Advanced firearms performance validation for sworn personnel
  • Lesson plan auditing and instructional standards refinement
  • Training documentation production for command-level compliance and risk management
  • Ongoing advisory support to institutional security leadership

Security Architecture & Liability Control

  • Master Security SOP authorship for high-profile institutions
  • Physical and environmental security policy development
  • Site access control and administrative documentation frameworks
  • Workplace violence prevention and response protocols
  • Video surveillance and consent policy drafting
  • 24/7 incident coordination and law enforcement liaison

Mission Focus

  • Technical firearms performance under stress
  • Accountable decision-making in lethal-force environments
  • Training structured to withstand legal and administrative scrutiny
  • Discreet delivery for high-net-worth and high-liability clients

Memberships and Affiliations

Certifications, Licensing & Instructor Credentials

All listed licenses, certifications, and instructor credentials are active and verifiable. Direct proof links are preserved below. Florida license detail pages can fail on some connections, so every state credential also includes the official statewide search portal and the exact license number to enter.

Florida State Licensing

Law Enforcement Commissioning & Police Certifications
  • Commissioned through Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (1993)
  • Baltimore Police Department – Patrol Officer
  • Baltimore Police Department – SWAT Officer
  • Baltimore Police Department – Firearms Instructor (Range Staff)
  • Plainclothes Detective – U.S. Marshals Federal Task Force
  • Street Crimes Investigator
  • Narcotics Suppression Enforcement
  • Surveillance Experience
  • Court Testimony / Expert Witness
  • Officer Involved Shooting Cases Expert Witness
  • Robbery Suppression Trainer
  • Regional Auto Theft Task Force
  • Certified SWAT Certified / Active Shooter Response Development
  • Room Clearing & Close Quarters Battle Tactics Certified
  • Arrest Techniques / Handcuffing Certified
  • Pepper Spray & Baton Certified
  • Executive Protection Certified
  • Perimeter & Installation Security Certified
  • Evasive & Defensive Driving Certified
  • Maritime Operations Security Certified
  • Hand-to-Hand Combat – Various Disciplines (Not Instructor Certified)
  • Held Confidential Security Clearance (Expired)
  • First Responder / CPR / Stop The Bleed Certified
NRA Law Enforcement Division Credentials
NRA Instructor Credentials
Instructor Development & School Hosting
Industry & Safety Certifications

Train With Stephen

Review the full course directory or schedule a conversation before choosing a class.

See Firearms Courses Talk With Stephen First

Legal Notice And Training Disclaimer

Information on this website is for education and firearms training only. It does not constitute legal advice, create an attorney-client relationship, or replace guidance from a qualified attorney. Firearms and use-of-force laws vary by jurisdiction and can change. Tactical U provides firearms instruction, not legal representation.