Halo Defense Training & Tactics

Manuel "Manny" Espinoza

• Illinois Concealed Carry Instructor certified by State of Illinois

• NRA certified pistol Instructor

• Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor certified by
  Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)

• Shoot-house Instructor certified by Singleton International

• Law enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response
  (LASER) Instructor certified by
  National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT)

• 4E's Active Shooter, Civilian Response, Instructor certified by Tier 1 Tactical

• ILETSB/FEMA certified Field Force Operation

• Basic/Advanced Special Weapons and Tactics Course certified by Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System

• Less Lethal Instructor (chemical munitions, impact munitions and NFDD) certified by Watch House International

​

I am an active law enforcement officer of 18 years, currently assigned in patrol as Patrol Sergeant, in one of the larger departments in the St. Louis Metro East area. I supervise a patrol shift and qualify active/retired police officers with their firearms. I also train officers in several less-lethal weaponries.

​

In 2008, I was assigned to a local Tactical Response Team (TRT), where I began my training in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). In 2009 I joined a regional Special Response Team (SRT) comprised of approximately 40 tactical operators which serves 11 counties in Illinois. The SRT is a fully functional team that serves high risk search warrants, responds to barricaded/hostage incidents along with any other situation requiring specialized trained officers. I have taken part in numerous operations (ops) ranging from high risk search warrants to barricaded incidents. I also had the opportunity to take part in high profile ops, such as the Chicago NATO Summit 2012 and served as a "react team" during a protection detail for Vice-President, Joe Biden.

​

I am still an active member of the SRT team and serve as a ‘squad leader.’ As a ‘squad leader,’ I prepare and oversee training for the SRT several times a year and also develop and present op orders for high risk search warrants. I have attended: an 80-hour basic SWAT school; Advanced SWAT – Midsouth Institute Self-Defense Shooting, Advanced SWAT – Hostage Rescue; a Team Leader course, along with numerous WMD related courses. Further, I attended numerous live-fire Shoothouse training and monitored and evaluated the officers during the live-fire Shoothouse training.

​

I have been instructing the Illinois 16/8 Concealed Carry Course since early 2016 and have taught many different experience levels. I believe Halo sets itself out because all instructors are not only highly qualified in instructing how to shoot. We also teach when it is justified.

I have experience in large scale Active Shooter response training for both armed security along with civilian response. I have instructed a Concealed Carry refresher course for Law Enforcement so they could have a better understanding in Illinois Concealed Carry laws and I assist in instructing Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. I enjoy imparting my knowledge to my students so they can better them selves while providing them a tactical advantage.

​

Stay armed, Be safe and Continue to train!