Lieutenant Dave Smith
Former police lieutenant Dave Smith is an internationally known speaker, writer and law enforcement expert. Dave attended United States Naval Academy and then completed his degree at University of Arizona while fighting forest fires with the “Coconino Hot Shots.” He began his police career with the Tucson Police Department and in 1978 he joined the Arizona Department of Public Safety. As a career police officer, Dave held positions in Patrol, SWAT, Narcotics, Training and Management. In 1980 he developed the popular “Buck Savage” video training series, was the lead instructor for the Calibre Press “Street Survival” seminar from 1983 to 1985, and was instrumental in developing Calibre’s timeless “Tactical Edge” officer survival book. Dave holds numerous instructor certifications in firearms, defensive tactics, and human performance and is a proven expert witness and consultant.
In 1989, Dave joined the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN), developing and hosting cutting-edge police, security and public safety training as its Director of Education and was the general manager of Calibre Press until January of 2002. Dave continued to instruct the “Street Survival” seminar through 2012 as its senior instructor and he managed the most comprehensive update to the seminar since 2003. Dave has authored hundreds of articles for publications including Police Chief, Law and Order, The Trainer, Police Marksman, the Calibre Press Newsline, PoliceOne and POLICE magazine.
Dave is currently the owner of “Winning Mind Seminars” and is a regular columnist for POLICE magazine and PoliceOne.Com. Dave is also the Director of Video Training for the online Police One Academy. He is available for conferences, training events, and consulting, and is the author of the popular book In My Sights. Dave can be reached via his website at www.jdbucksavage.com or on his Facebook fan page as “JD Buck Savage.”
