Dr. Travis Yates

Use of Force Instructor

Travis Yates has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, spending the last decade as a commander with a large metropolitan agency. His assignments included patrol, gang investigations, training, technology, policy, media relations, jail operations and special operations that included SWAT, Helicopter, K-9, Dive Team, Bomb Squad, Disaster Response, Special Events, and the Reserve Program.

Travis is an advanced certified instructor, a past recipient of the ILEETA International Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year and the co-founder of the Below 100 Initiative. Over the last two decades his seminars on risk management, officer safety and leadership have been given to thousands of law enforcement professionals across the globe including 46 states.

Travis is a certified Force Science Analyst and is considered a leading expert in human behavior pattern analysis. His extensive research on law enforcement encounters combined with his passion for risk management has made his signature seminar, “Seconds For Survival,” one of the most popular courses in the country with thousands of officers attending over the last 10 years.

Travis has a doctorate degree in Strategic Leadership, is a graduate of the 227th session of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Development & Leadership Program and certified trainer for the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations. Travis has taught university level courses to thousands of students over the last twenty-five years and is a sought-after court expert in various areas including patrol, policy, pursuits, and tactics.

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Current reviews for Dr. Travis Yates

25 Reviews

5

Justin

DEA
Arkansas

Travis is one of the most incredible speakers and trainers there is. He teaches me something new every time I have the opportunity to be around him.

1

M.Howell

Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (retired)
Ks

Dr. Yates is a true professional concerning leadership, training, and survival. I count it an honor to call him not only a brother-I -arms, but a close, personal friend. His training is something you do not want to miss! You will leave amazed at how the skills you learn in his seminars will help keep you and your team alive when seconds count! CPT Michael Howell KCKPD (retired) Active killer defense expert and trainer.

5

Captain Rankin

Pinal County Sheriff's Office
AZ

This training is a must for your agency and will definitely save lives. It gives your street cops a good refresher on their street tactics. I brought this to my agency after the first session I sat through.

5

Brandon

Leonia Police Department
NJ

This class was amazing and the material that I learned will shared with my coworkers!

5

Jorge

FBI Police

Excellent speaker. Very informed, good content and extremely passionate about the material. Highly recommend this training and speaker.

5

Darren

Jersey City PD
NJ

Learning how to read body language indicators is extremely important. This class is excellent. It doesn’t matter if you are a police officer for 1 year or 25 years, you will learn something.

5

Phil

Lodi Police
NJ

Travis was a very good instructor. He made the class interesting and very informative. Well spoken and one of the best instructors I have ever had.

5

Dennis

Port Authority of New York
NY

An extremely insightful course that every officer should attend and be knowledgeable in.

5

Carlos

NYPD
NY

The instructor was knowledgeable and passionate about his topic. Also he drove the point home with great videos and stories. I will recommend this training to everyone in my command.

5

Craig

Iowa Department of Public Safety
IA

Travis gives it to you straight up in an understanding way. He doesn’t talk down to you like he knows everything. He is in it with you and is trying to help all of us!

5

Aaron

Plymouth County Sheriff's Office
IA

Excellent speaker that, without a doubt, will save officers lives.

5

Jason

Iowa State Police
IA

Great class. Major Yates had a very informative presentation. Excellent information. I would highly recommend the class.

5

Eric

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
CA

Incredibly valuable. Priceless.

5

Scott

Broken Arrow
OK

Thank you for bringing this course to the Tulsa area. The class was excellent and helps remind you just how quick officers can be placed in a critical situation. Instructor Travis Yates has always put on a great class and delivers the content in a professional and compassionate way. Thank you.

5

Jason

San Diego Sheriff's Department
CA

Great class that was current, brought new ideas and touched on relevant core ideas for review. I would definitely recommend to all other deputies and officers.

5

Lacey

Department of Veteran Affairs

I appreciate the great information and the way you conveyed it. Your use of humor, enthusiasm, physical display, and video was extremely helpful in conveying the information.

5

Curtis

Bureau of Land Management

The very best course at CNOA this year. Kept the classrooms interested, great use of videos and lots of passion. This class has already saved cops and will continue to do so.

5

Bryan

Kern County Sheriff's Office
CA

Very inspirational. Finally someone puts into articulated words what law enforcement has been feeling recently. Excellent moral booster.

5

Rafael

Bureau of Land Management

The class gets you emotionally charged and amps you up! Makes you rethink your everyday tactics and actions. Excellent mindset class

5

Monte

Duchesne County Sheriff's Office
CA

Great class. I’m seeing traits in the newer generation of officers afraid of using force when necessary. I hope to train all my patrol and correctional officer this style of training. Thank you for caring for the Brother and Sister hood that serve every day.

5

Shawn

San Mateo County
CA

Absolutely outstanding class. The instructors attitude and knowledge is excellent.

5

Captain Bob Heidlage

FBI NAA
OK

Travis is not only an energizing and innovative speaker, he practices what he preaches. His message and passion should be experienced by every public safety organization in our country.

5

Jerry

OK

It took me 53 years in law enforcement to attend a class like this.

5

Mark

Mansfield
TX

The best class I have been to in years and needs to be taught to all cops. The instructor presented the material in an attention holding way and he is actually a cop….not some wanna be with a theory.

5

Keith Wenzel

Williamson County
TX

This was one of the best classes I have ever seen in my three decades of law enforcement. Major Yates was simply incredible. Thank you for keeping our cops safe!.

Upcoming Training for Travis Yates

Leicester Police Department
03/19/2025

 – 

03/19/2025

Seconds for Survival
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Leicester, MA - Seconds for Survival 03-19-2025
$ 225.00
33 available

The De-escalation of Violence

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 4:00 PM Pacific
03/26/2025

 – 

03/26/2025

 

Huntsville Public Safety Training Academy
04/02/2025

 – 

04/02/2025

Seconds For Survival
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Huntsville, AL - Seconds for Survival 04-02-2025
$ 225.00
106 available

Summary of qualifications

  • Major for the Tulsa Police Department
  • Over 30 years of law enforcement experience
  • Doctoral Degree in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University
  • Graduated from Northeastern State University with bachelor & master’s degree in criminal justice
  • Graduate of the FBI National Academy, IACP Leadership Trainer and Police Executive Development & Leadership Program
  • Over 26 years of management & leadership experience across a wide variety of assignments while serving a diverse community and workforce
  • Exceptional leadership, communication & problem-solving skills utilizing business processes and analytical skills
  • Extensive record of collaborating with community members, leaders and service groups to address neighborhood concerns and quality of life issues
  • Experience in labor contract negotiations and grievance procedures including board member service with the Fraternal Order of Police
  • Recognized court expert in law enforcement policy, training & best practices with prior consulting for attorneys and municipalities in several states
  • Business & non-profit experience including the former president of ALERT International, Ten-Four Ministries and founder of Below 100, Vest for Life & the Law Enforcement Recruiter Association
  • Broad range of community engagement experiences including the development of the Tulsa Police Activity League, Junior Police Academy & the Downtown IMPACT Unit, utilizing community-oriented strategies to reduce crime
  • Consultant with Lexipol during their policy and training implementation within the state of Oklahoma

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