Professional Educators

Owner and CEO: Jeremy A. James, M.A., LLPC

Jeremy "JJ" James combines a distinguished law enforcement background as an honorably retired Detroit Police sergeant with clinical expertise as a Master’s-level psychotherapist at Harold J. Love and Associates (Southfield, MI). Drawing on over 20 years of instructional experience in both police and private sectors, he delivers comprehensive mental wellness education. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and maintains a verified profile on Psychology Today.

Lead Instructor: Corpl. Daniel Woods

Dan combines two decades of law enforcement experience with eight years of military service, having served as a Detroit Police Corporal and a U.S. Army veteran deployed throughout Central America. Backed by nine years of instructor experience, he is a nationally certified expert instructor specializing in high-stakes disciplines: Active Shooter/Threat Response, Advanced Trauma Care, Taser deployment, Precision Driving, and Defensive Tactics.

Instructor/Consultant: Mr. Darnell Blackburn

Darnell Blackburn is a Crime and Safety Expert and daily traffic reporter for WDIV-Local 4 Detroit. His career spans frontline law enforcement with the Auburn Hills Police Department and statewide oversight as a regional manager for Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Today, he travels internationally as a keynote speaker and instructor specializing in Cultural Competency, Implicit Bias, and De-escalation. He is the founder of PRAT International LLC, an adjunct professor, and a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Lead Instructor: Sgt. David Gonzalez

As the Defensive Tactics and Use of Force Coordinator at the Detroit Police Academy, David oversees and facilitates instruction across key operational areas, including Use of Force, Taser deployment, First Aid, Active Shooter/Threat Response, Advanced Trauma Care, and Defensive Tactics. A third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, David holds national instructor credentials in specialized tactical response and medical care.

Lead Instructor: Corpl. Sean Wayrynen

Sean is a 20+ year Detroit Police Department veteran with over 15 years dedicated to training officers as an academy instructor. Holding a Master’s in Business Management, he is a nationally certified instructor in Active Shooter/Threat Response, Advanced Trauma Care, Taser deployment, Precision Driving, and Defensive Tactics. Sean’s tactical expertise is further complemented by his service on the Mayor's Executive Protection Detail for the City of Detroit.

Adjunct Instructor: Mrs. Malky Cruickshank

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Adjunct Instructor: Mr. Isaiah Cumberland, M.A., LLPC

Isaiah is a Master's-level psychotherapist based in Ohio, specializing in corporate and athletic performance. A former collegiate athlete who competed at the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels for six years, he brings firsthand athletic experience to his clinical work. Isaiah is an active member of the American Counseling Association and is listed on Psychology Today.

Adjunct Instructor: Corpl . Steffon Whitaker