Peaceful Warrior Training Group (PWTG) is made up of numerous instructors/first responders who have real life experience responding to actual active shooter events.
Smart.
Life Saving.
Effective.
The PWTG Instructors have studied, researched and trained across the country with active shooter experts, victims and academic researchers to formulate the PW Active Shooter preventative techniques, incident response and tactics along with active shooter first care methods that have been battle field tested for saving lives.
PW Training Group classes are a complete active shooter all you need to know – prevention, response and minimizing the aftermath effects.
Experience that makes a difference
we show you how TO Move with a Purpose
We reinforce decision making through practical exercises and scenarios that enhance your ability to identify and enact an appropriate response.
We don’t just tell you to run, hide, fight.
Organizational Trainings
Click on the courses below to learn more. To request one or more for your group, or inquire about custom training courses, please contact us.
Peaceful Warrior Training Group offers a variety oF organizational trainings
Peaceful Warrior Training for worships sites, entertainment venues and retail businesses is adaptable.
- All size congregations
- Multiplex movie theaters
- Live performance venues, indoor and outdoor
- Large malls to standalone retailers
For Your Congregation, Customers & Employees
Peaceful Warrior Training for schools is adaptable to all ages and grades.
- Childcare centers
- Kindergarten through 5th or 8th grade
- Middle schools
- High schools
- Colleges and universities
Please get in touch to get started or discuss how we can customize a program targeted to the unique needs of your school and staff.
For Your Congregation, Customers & Employees
Peaceful Warrior Training for hospitals/medical facilities, professional offices, and city/state government sites includes training for:
- Hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, mental health offices/complexes, and other medical facilities
- Professional office buildings, suites, floors and departments
- Government public service providers that are small and contained or expansive
For your Employees, Patients and Visitors
Peaceful Warrior Training Group will work collaboratively with your leadership to enhance the following areas for your organization:
- Prevention strategies
- Communication pathways and initiators
- Response strategies in organizational, individual, and personal life
- Creation and enhancement of time barriers
- Roles and responsibilities before, during, and after the crisis
- Accountability
- Reunification – Getting your people back with their loved ones
For Your Cooporation
With PWTG, you're not just getting a training program; you're gaining access to a team of seasoned experts with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, military, and security.
Our instructors bring real-world experience to the training room, providing invaluable insights and expertise.
Expertise & experience
MEET THE TEAM
MIKE BOLENDER
Mike Bolender retired from the Oak Creek Police Department after 32 years of service. His last assignment was as the Operations Captain, overseeing the Patrol Division and the Communication Center. Mike has been a Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and an Operations Captain. Mike has been a use of force trainer for 30 years and holds 26 different use of force instructor certifications. He has served as a Use of Force Instructor and established and led the Oak Creek Police Department Use of Force Training Unit for 30 years.
Mike Bolender has responded to two active shooters. The first active shooter was in 2004 at Comfort Suites as one of Oak Creek’s SWAT Team Leaders, his team eventually took the subject into custody after he killed several people, took a hostage, and barricaded himself in a hotel room. The second was at the Sikh Temple, in which Capt. Bolender was tasked with being the incident commander, overseeing operations and response to the shooting at the Sikh Gurdwara.
Mike has spent 15 years on Oak Creek’s Emergency Response Unit (SWAT Team), 10 of which as a SWAT Team Leader, in which he planned, participated, and led hundreds of narcotic search warrants, barricaded subjects, hostage situations, and protest/riot operations. Mike was also a SWAT Tactical Commander overseeing the Oak Creek Police Department SWAT Team, giving him over 25 years of SWAT and tactical experience. Mike has served as a member of the honor guard, field training unit, and numerous other law enforcement units.
Mike is an Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Instructor (ALERRT) for law enforcement and civilians. Mike has taught across the country to civilian and first responders, sharing his experiences and research. Mike has trained in numerous martial arts and continues to this day, including boxing, Muay Thai, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Chin Na (joint locks), and received his black belt in Kempo Karate. Mike received his Master’s Degree from Marquette University in Administration of Justice along with a certificate in Leadership.
PW Training Group Founder & Active Threat Instructor
Jack Rehn
Jack is a retired 25-year veteran Fire Lieutenant Paramedic from the City of Oak Creek (WI). He has been a paramedic and active SWAT Medic for over 10 years. Jack is a founding member of the Oak Creek (WI) Fire and Police Department Tactical Emergency Medical Support Unit (TEMS), the first TEMS Unit to be credentialed by the State of Wisconsin. He instructs police recruits in First Care / Buddy Care through Milwaukee Area Technical College police academy.
PWTG - Emergency Medical Services Senior Instructor & First Care Instructor
Joel Batemen
Joel Bateman brings 27 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years with SWAT, where he served as team leader for 15 years. He was involved in the Comfort Suites active shooter attack and the Oak Creek incident in 2004. Joel’s extensive background in high-pressure situations and leadership makes him an invaluable asset in active threat response and training.
Active Threat Instructor
Jason Kelley
Jason retired in 2022 after serving 26 years at the Beloit (WI) Police Department. He was assigned to the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT Team) for 25 years and held positions from Operator to finishing out his career as the Commander. Jason was the primary firearms and tactics instructor for the Beloit Police Department and Tactical Operations Unit. Jason has been involved in the Active Shooter response arena for over 20 years. He instructs nationwide for PW Training Group, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), and C3 Pathways in Active Shooter response and incident management. In 2015, Jason co-founded the Trauma Preparedness Center at Mercy Health in Janesville, WI, and instructs Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS), Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE), Mass Casualty Trauma Care (MCTC), Rescue Task Force (RTF), Workplace Casualty Care (WPCC), Classroom Casualty Care (CCC), Sportsman Casualty Care (SPCC) and Therapeutic Alternatives in Crisis Training (TACT). He was a co-founding member of the Wisconsin Active Threat Integrated Response Conference (ATIRC). Jason co-authored an article titled “Contained Threat Escort Tactics”, which inserted Fire/EMS into an Active Shooter Event (ASE) under to protection of law enforcement personnel and was published in the National Tactical Officer’s Association’s quarterly magazine, The Tactical Edge in 2001.
Active Threat Instructor
Ben Kessel
Ben has spent 19 years in EMS, continuing his professional education as a Physician Assistant, and currently practices in Emergency Medicine in Kenosha. In 2011 he was among the first PAs in Wisconsin recognized with specialty board certification in Emergency Medicine. Ben is the Assistant Medical Director for Kenosha County EMS, a Tactical Paramedic with the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department TEMS team, and a regional EMS educator. His experience as an instructor ranges from providing annual refresher training to multiple EMS services, to serving as Regional and Training Center Faculty for multiple American Heart Association disciplines, as well as a course coordinator and instructor for tactical medicine certification courses through the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. His background in providing a wide variety of care ranging from EMS, sports medicine, and ED critical care have helped shape his unique approach to teaching concepts of prehospital medicine.
Ben’s interest in operational medicine began while serving in the US Navy, which included deployment in 1999 to the Persian Gulf. While performing Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations in support of Operation Southern Watch, he became acutely aware of the challenges involved in initial injury management and technical rescue considerations in austere environments. His interest in field medicine continued into his transition to a civilian EMS career as an EMT-Basic in 2000, followed by later certification as a Firefighter and Paramedic in 2005. In 2008, Ben completed graduate studies as a Physician Assistant, and entered clinical practice, becoming one of the first PAs in the nation to be recognized with specialty certification in Emergency Medicine in 2011. In 2012, he founded the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Emergency Medical Support Team, where he continues to function as a Tactical Paramedic.
In addition to his technical certifications, Ben has earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Medicine, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. His experience as an educator includes Regional and Training Center faculty instructor certification in all American Heart Association disciplines, teaching as a Wisconsin Technical College EMS Instructor, course coordinator for all National Association of Emergency Medical Technician tactical medicine disciplines, and as a regional EMS conference presenter and lecturer. He continues to serve as Assistant EMS Medical Director for multiple EMS services in Kenosha County as well as a consultant for several law enforcement agencies and private industry.
Active Threat Instructor
Assistant Medical Director, Kenosha County EMS/TEMS
Department of Emergency Medicine, Froedtert South
Steve Harlow
Steve Harlow instructs PW’s Managing Aggressive Behavior and Verbal De-escalation Courses. He has a vast amount of experience and knowledge gained as a 30-plus year trainer and law enforcement officer who has trained those from every career and walk of life. Steve Harlow has been an instructor with PW Training Group since its inception. Steve has created and honed the PW Verbal De-escalation and Managing Aggressive Behavior Training along with its Security courses and its Active Shooter Preparedness and Response Training.
During Steve’s 31 – year law enforcement career he has responded to hundreds of life-threatening, high-stress situations which gives him a unique perspective to teach these courses. After retiring from the City of Glendale, Wisconsin Police Department Steve has continued his law enforcement career and is now an Ozaukee County Sheriff Department member working as a Court Services Officer.
Steve instructs Police recruit level and in-service level courses at Milwaukee Area and Waukesha Area Technical Colleges. He also serves as a security consultant for numerous area businesses and hospitals specializing in subject control principles and communication skills development. Steve is also a member of the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice Training and Standards Tactical Advisory Committee (2000 to present)
Active Threat Instructor
Paul Marik
Paul Marik began his career working undercover straight out of the academy. He is currently a Lieutenant Commander with Pleasant Prairie (WI) Police and is in charge of the detective bureau. Paul has been in law enforcement since 1994 and is the senior trainer for the department. He holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. He is an instructor in Firearms, Defense & Arrest Tactics, Use of Force, Honor Guard, Active Shooter and he holds a master instructor status in Tactical Response and Scenarios. Paul is a Certified Force Science Analyst and a Critical Risk Management Expert. His background consists of undercover narcotics, SWAT, School Resource Officer (SRO) and active threat (shooter). He has given several lectures on terrorism, school safety, violence and today’s youth, sexual predators, and a parent’s guide to keeping kids safe. During his time as an SRO, Lt. Marik was pivotal in helping create many of the procedures that the Kenosha Unified School District still uses today for lockdowns and active threats. Paul is a lead instructor and a highly valued member of the Peaceful Warrior (PW) Training Cadre. Paul has assisted PW Training Group in its creation of a three pronged holistic active threat program to provide would be “victims” with lifesaving preventative measures, in depth response alternatives and “First Care” – Trauma treatment for the innocent bystander so communities might “never again” have to deal with the horrific outcomes of an active threat/shooter. Mike and his Team created a three pronged approach to Active Shooter Events which no other program in the country contains.
Active Threat Instructor
Lisa Reid
School Deployment Team Director / Instructor - Lisa has been a School Psychologist in the Oak Creek-Franklin Jt. School District (OCFSD) since 1994 and the District Safety Coordinator since 2020. She was a co-founding member of the OCFSD’s District Safety Team and District Threat Assessment Team. Lisa was instrumental in developing the district's comprehensive Threat Assessment Guideline and Student Safety Lessons that are used for all grade levels. She is a certified instructor for the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), teaching Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and Verbal De-escalation techniques to school personnel. Lisa is also a member of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the state, trained by Wisconsin's DOJ - Office of School Safety.
PW Training Group - School Deployment Team Director / SSAVEIM Instructor
James Smith
Jim Smith is an accomplished public safety professional with over 30 years of experience as a leader, instructor, investigator, curriculum developer and uniformed police officer in high-crime urban environments. He possesses a wealth of experience. Mr. Smith is an experienced criminal investigator as well as a former fulltime civilian background investigator for a major urban law enforcement agency.
Mr. Smith has previously served in US State Department, Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Missions as a United Nations Peacekeeper. Mr. Smith had responsibility for ongoing investigations into War Crimes committed in Kosovo including location of suspects and their apprehension. He was then assigned as an International Police Investigator for the US Department of State serving in Pristina for the European Union (EU) rule of Law mission in Kosovo.
Upon completion of these deployments he was assigned at the Jordanian International Police Training Center in Amman, Jordan He was tasked with overseeing curriculum development & delivery of Defensive & Arrest Tactics and Police Mobile Operations. While serving there as a US Department of State unarmed representative he and many of his colleagues were assaulted by an active shooter (AS) while on base at work. This event has resulted in deep insights into the realities that a civilian will encounter during A.S. style attacks. He has joined Peaceful Warrior Training Group and shared his training expertise, knowledge and experience to enhance and expand the PW program and its lifesaving tactics and concepts. Jim will share personal real life experiences, information and ideas that may well preserve life and limb should the unspeakable happen to seminar attendees.
Active Threat Instructor
Jay Darin
Jay retired in October 2024 after 28 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Jay retired as the Assistant Team Leader for the FBI Milwaukee Field Office Special Operations Group. Before that assignment, Jay was the Training Coordinator for the Milwaukee Office, where he was in charge of the active shooter program, special events, and the FBI National Academy. Jay was assigned to the Chicago Field Office from 1996 to 2005, where he worked primarily gang/drug crime on the FBI/Chicago Police Department Joint Task Force on Gangs (JTFG). Upon his transfer to Milwaukee, he was assigned to the Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Drug/Gang Task Force. Jay was the FBI case agent on numerous high-profile gang investigations and received numerous awards and commendations, including the “2011 Investigation of the Year.” Jay has been an FBI Firearms Instructor since 1999, an FBI Tactical Instructor since 2010, and an ALERRT Active Shooter Instructor since 2013. Jay received his EMT Basic and SWAT certifications in 2003. As the FBI’s Active Shooter Coordinator for the State of Wisconsin, Jay built, coordinated, and managed a statewide active shooter response training program for both first responders (Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS) and civilians. In 2016, Jay founded the annual Wisconsin Active Threat Integrated Response Conference (ATIRC). He was the Chairperson for that conference for seven years and grew it into the largest first responder conference held in Wisconsin. Jay is on the Board of Directors and serves as the Treasurer for the Wisconsin Active Threat Training Association (WATTA). In addition, he currently instructs nationwide for ALERRT, C3 Pathways, and The I Love U Guys Foundation. Since 2013, SA Darin has trained more than 7,000 first responders and countless civilians in active shooter response tactics and active shooter incident management. SA Darin has taught nationally and even internationally, leading a team of FBI personnel who provided active shooter response training to law enforcement officers in Brazilia, Brazil, in September 2019.
Active Threat Instructor
“Mike was a highly responsive partner throughout the planning and execution of our [workplace violence prevention] training program. He took time to learn about our organization and policies and was very flexible with our scheduling needs. Mike is professional, passionate about educating others, and truly a pleasure to work with.
“Our employees left his training feeling empowered and better prepared to respond to an active shooter event or other emergency. Mike shares his breadth of knowledge and experience in a way that is engaging, realistic and memorable without using fear as a training tool. It is with confidence and enthusiasm that I recommend Mike and the Peaceful Warrior Training Group to any organization looking to educate and prepare itself for the unthinkable. The information and techniques Mike provides are invaluable.”
- Valerie Milne, SPHR Senior Generalist, Human Resources, Park Bank
“I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Mike Bolender at the School Resource Officers’ Conference in Appleton, Wisconsin. Outstanding and informative are the words that immediately resonated with me in describing his presentation. Michael’s passion for his work and his vast knowledge was quite evident throughout his presentation. The information he presented gave administrators and school resource officers pertinent information to develop emergency plans for their schools. After the tragedy at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, there were many lessons learned, one important lesson is that schools need emergency plans and staff members need training in the event that an emergency should occur. On Any Given Day the unthinkable can occur and we must be prepared. We owe it to our children!”
- Frank DeAngelis
Principal Columbine High School 1996-2014
The training they provide is relevant, tailored to educators and conducted in a way I feel maximizes mental and muscle memory. [...] Some of the training included physically confronting a trainer in a red man suit. I would overhear some teachers say things like ‘he is huge, how am I going to stop him’. Shortly after I would observe the same small frame teachers use the skills they learned to not only confront the trainer but attack and attempt to disarm in an effort to allow for the students to evacuate. I would see the teachers flush with confidence. [...] It was emotional to know these educators may need to step into harms way to keep my children safe in the event it is needed. These teachers now have some tools and more importantly the mindset to face this danger. I hope it never happens but I’m confident the Peaceful Warrior Training Group is saving lives.”
- Aaron Hackett
School Resource Officer
“I have attended many conferences and seminars in regards to Active Shooter. It’s not an easy topic to listen to, and even harder to present on because of the sensitive nature of it. The Peaceful Warriors approach was very informative and told it like it was. [...] This was by far the most in depth training I’ve ever received on the topic, and truly left me feeling more confident than I ever have been. [...] They mix in a perfect amount of humor in the way they present and state facts. It may seem small to some, but this delicate balance is incredible in which they keep it serious enough for people to stay engaged, but have enough humor interjected at appropriate times that lifts the mood when things can get heavy, which they can easily do and participants can get overwhelmed by. These guys know their stuff, and I would recommend then to anybody without a second thought or hesitation.”
- Paul Bisciglia
Uline Security Coordinator
“Today I was prepared to learn about violence in the workplace. What I wasn’t prepared for was the brutal reality of real life stories. I met an individual who not only knows how to teach people to respond and survive horrific events but he also has lived through events that plague our world today….acts of terror. His passion for empowering people to act on instinct is inspiring. He has seen the horror and the aftermath and Because of this terribly sad life experience, this man, this organization is making a huge impact on changing the way we think, act, react, and protect our families, friends, and communities. [...] Thank you for sharing your stories, your experience, your heart, and soul. When you experience Peaceful Warrior training you experience incredibly brave people who want one thing…..for you to be empowered by knowledge.”
- Twila Hurst, PWTG Trainee
“Comprehensive training that was provided in a measured, non-sensationalized way. Capt. Bolender and his team balanced the fine line of helping staff to understand the reality of active shooter situations without causing unnecessary worry or anxiousness. I came away with a much better understanding of what unfolds in these situations and how to respond appropriately.”
- John Marzion
Math Interventionist
“It was powerful to hear the weapons being discharged right outside the classroom. It’s very realistic and I am better prepared if the situation ever occurs in my school. This active shooter training was the most realistic that I have ever been through in all my years in the classroom. The students and staff were left with a better sense of how this scary situation might sound and feel.”
- Don Petre
High School Math Teacher
“Extremely relevant, powerful and empowering training opportunity. The knowledge and skills provided through this workshop are not only necessary to safeguard our students and staff but also increase the collaboration and respect between our school district and our police department.”
- Marcia Riopelle, School Psychologist
“Mike and his staff provided expert, real life training and demonstrations on how to handle an active shooter. This training is second to none and has provided me with the knowledge and skill to prepare myself for an active shooter event, which in the end is to keep the students and staff safe. I would highly recommend it to any school district or business.”
- Paul Bastian
Middle School Physical Education Teacher
“I have to say that I really appreciate the active shooter training that Capt. Bolender has come up with. You often think that it will never happen to you, but you can’t bury your head in the sand and pretend bad things don’t happen in the world. No one wants to think about it. In the past, shootings at schools did not happen with the frequency that they are today. Capt. Bolender uses common sense & a realistic approach to active shooter training. He made it interesting & while he spoke I could picture situations & thought about what I would do in these situations. What I appreciated most was that he did not talk down to us “non-law enforcement” people. Capt. Bolender was open to any questions & you could see how passionate it was for him. He is a father & you could see that he created this program from the heart. I left the training feeling more confident that if something would happen I have at least thought of different scenarios & would try to do the right thing. I would definitely like to take anything else he offers. Sadly, in our society today we need more programs such as this.”
- Pat Roemer, Teacher
“The Hear Something, Say Something program and our school district active shooter training brings school safety to the fore front of everyone’s mind. This program has offered teachers and administration hands on training in the case of an emergency while also changing the mind set to “when” not “if” to be sure that everyone is best prepared when faced with safety issues. As an administrator, I have seen the anxieties that this training has relieved in staff as they learn they are not helpless, but rather the first that can make a difference. We are in education to make a difference in people’s lives, when teachers hear they can be the difference whether someone lives or dies, they want to step up. This training has given everyone logical and precise advice and hands on practice to prepare for that moment. It is imperative that school districts realize the importance of school safety and take steps to ensure each student is safe everyday they walk through the schools doors.”
- Annalee Bennin, Principal Oak Creek East Middle School