PSU is an organization of active public safety members with decades of public safety and aviation experience. Our goal at PS UAS is to offer state-of-the-art, current, customized training for federal, state, and local public safety organizations.
With a focus on operational excellence and safety, our expert instructors train and guide participants through the latest UAS technologies, regulations, and best practices. Our mission is to equip your team with the skills needed to effectively deploy UAS technology, ensuring that you can respond more efficiently, safely, and effectively to emergencies and public safety challenges.
We are here to train future professional sUAS pilots to become expert leaders to help their agency succeed.
USS is proud to offer training in the United States and abroad.
We are now teaching international classes and have taught in Taiwan.
We’re a hardworking team with years of diverse professional experiences spanning a wide range of disciplines within the realm of public safety.
As the owner of PSU, David’s operational experience, personal crisis management, and Drone technology expertise have allowed him to develop training courses designed specifically for Public Safety. With a decade of law enforcement experience specializing in violent crime investigations and operations, David has successfully trained, consulted, and established Drone pilots/teams on drone tactics and operational procedures for hundreds of public safety organizations.
After college, and a career in Operations Management, Shawn transitioned into law enforcement where he has spent 15 years in investigative capacities to include interdiction, narcotics, weapons, and surveillance investigations. Shawn is currently a Detective with the Violent Crimes Unit, a NC Rapid Deployment Instructor, and a licensed FAA UAS Pilot, with a master’s degree in criminal justice.
Upon completing 8 years of service in the United States Army National Guard, Hunter began his 13-year law enforcement career. He currently serves the Guilford County Sheriff's office as a K9 handler specializing in man trailing and search and rescue. Hunter is a licensed FAA UAS pilot and has flown rescue and tactical missions for his agency and citizens leading their own SAR efforts.
In his 11 years as a Law Enforcement investigator, Mike has worked in a variety of correctional and enforcement roles including managing specialized drone operations. As a Detective, surveillance specialist, and certified NC DOJ instructor, Mike has flown hundreds of missions providing him with valuable experience, and has consulted numerous agencies on operational drone usage and procedures.
Upon completing his tour in the United States Marine Corps, Jake began his law enforcement career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections before transferring to the Greensboro Police Department where he's worked in a variety of roles, to include Detective within the Violent Crime Reduction Unit. He is a licensed FAA UAS pilot and has flown countless public safety missions for various agencies and regularly instructs Drones for First Responders (Part)107 courses.
As a graduate of East Carolina University, Amelia began her law enforcement career with the Greenville (NC) Police Department. She is currently an FAA Certified Remote Pilot as well as the UAS Program Manager for her agency. Amelia has flown countless rescue and tactical missions for various agencies across eastern North Carolina and regularly instructs PSU's Search and Rescue for Drones course.
Allen has served 12 years in the United States Navy where he finished his career as a Chief Petty Officer specializing in Electronic Warfare. Allen has been a law enforcement officer for over a decade and is currently a Detective and Crisis/Hostage Negotiator in Georgia. He holds a master's degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University and is a certified drone pilot and active Drone Pro for the FAA Safety Team (FAAST). Allen serves as a Drone Operations advisor and has instructed for PSU internationally.
In the past 8 years, Donald has served in a variety of roles from SWAT Operator to Narcotics Detective. Donald specializes in undercover narcotics operations as well as urban and rural surveillance operations and is a licensed FAA UAS operator, overseeing his agency’s Drone Program. Donald has flown numerous missions including tactical indoor operations, narcotics surveillance operations, and search and rescue missions for various agencies and has instructed for PSU internationally. Piper regularly instructs Indoor Drone Tactics courses.
Upon earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Justin began his law enforcement career with the Greensboro (NC) Police Department. As a 13-year veteran, Justin has valuable experience as a seasoned Street Crimes detective and currently serves as a Corporal in the Patrol Division. Justin is a member of the SWAT team and an NC DOJ Rapid Deployment and Simunition Instructor. He instructs Indoor Drone tactics for SWAT operations.
Grant has over a decade of diverse law enforcement experience and has served with the Charlottesville Police Department and Augusta County (VA) Sheriff's Office in roles ranging from Motor Officer to Detective. Grant is passionate about integrating UAS systems into tactical operations to mitigate risk and currently serves as the Accreditation Manager, Drone Team Program Manager, and SWAT team operator.
Tim currently serves as the Director of Emergency Management for Bridgeport, West Virginia. Prior to Emergency Management, Tim was a decorated paramedic and rescue technician. Tim is currently working towards a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of Charleston. Tim holds a remote pilot certificate from the FAA as well as an Airplane Single Engine Land certificate with an instrument rating.
Before beginning his 27-year career as a Captain with the High Point (NC) Fire Department, Tom was a High School Teacher. He is a Team leader on the Water Rescue Team which also serves as the NC Regional Response Team using underwater ROVs. Tom is a FAA licensed drone pilot as well.
Jeremy is the POI and has served the Cobb County Sheriff's Officer for over 15 years. During his tenure, he has worked in various roles to include Fugitive Investigations, SWAT, and Bloodhound Handler. As an FAA Part 107 Pilot, Jeremy serves as the Drone Program Coordinator and has flown numerous missions for large events, SAR and tactical operations, as well as barricaded subjects.
Jason serves as the Director of Unmanned Aircraft for the Texas Department of Public Safety, with a wealth of experience from his 27-year tenure in military, civilian, & public safety aviation. Jason oversees over 300 remote pilots & unmanned aircraft while developing policies, procedures, & training standards for public safety agencies during disasters, and contributes as a voting member of the Texas Advanced Air Mobility Committee.
Eli specializes in Wildland Fire IR Mapping, Forestry analysis, Utility inspection, and GIS solutions. With a background in Environmental Science, Geography, Land Use Planning, and Wildland Fire, Eli excels in advanced sensors and applications. Overseeing over a dozen vegetation management crews, Eli also founded and manages the UAS Wildland Fire Cooperative for the State of Oregon, responsible for handling all UAS wildland fire data for state pilots and cooperators.
Chris served as a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems advisor to the United States Forces-Afghanistan and Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force-Levant as a defense contractor. He was commissioned as an Army Infantry officer, detailed to Military Intelligence, and qualified for Special Forces. He has completed assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Korea, and several other countries. He still serves. Chris is a licensed FAA Part 107 drone pilot
Steven boasts a 26-year law enforcement career and has worked in a variety of roles including investigations, evidence management, and digital forensics. He created his area’s drone unit with 25 pilots consisting of 10 agencies and ran oversaw training as the UAS manager. Steven managed multi-jurisdictional teams and investigated over 1500 cases in his career.
