Get to Know Guardian
We share decades of hands-on experience to help your officers excel.
Our Mission | Guardian Training Solutions
In law enforcement, preparation can mean the difference between success and failure—and sometimes, life and death. When critical moments arise, officers must rely on their training, judgment, and ability to perform under pressure.
At Guardian Training Solutions, we believe effective training goes beyond simply teaching techniques. It requires developing the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to make sound decisions in high-stress environments.
Founded on the principle that better training leads to better outcomes, Guardian Training Solutions is dedicated to providing realistic, challenging, and practical instruction grounded in real-world law enforcement experience.
Our instructors bring extensive backgrounds in tactical operations, firearms, defensive tactics, and specialized law enforcement assignments. As active and former law enforcement professionals, we understand the demands officers face because we’ve experienced them firsthand.
Our mission is simple: to equip law enforcement professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to perform when it matters most.
We don’t train officers simply to complete a course. We train them to be prepared when lives depend on it.
Meet Our Team
Dan Lawrenz
Co-Owner & Instructor
Dan Lawrenz is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 2006 to 2010, including a deployment to Iraq. Following his military service, Dan spent seven years working as a personal trainer, developing a strong foundation in physical fitness, strength and conditioning, and performance-based training.
Dan has over nine years of law enforcement experience in the Kansas City metropolitan area, including six years as a SWAT operator. Throughout his career, he has served in Patrol and Training while also holding specialized responsibilities as a SWAT Ballistic Shield Operator.
In addition to his operational experience, Dan serves as an instructor for his SWAT team’s Defensive Tactics and Physical Fitness Programs. He has extensive training in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), incorporating practical, real-world applications into his instruction.
As Co-Owner and Instructor of Guardian Training Solutions, Dan is committed to providing high-quality, reality-based training that equips law enforcement officers and security professionals with the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to perform effectively in high-stress situations.
Ryan Brown
Co-Owner & Instructor
Ryan Brown is a veteran law enforcement professional with over 16 years of experience in tactical operations, leadership, and specialized law enforcement instruction. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in operational planning, tactical decision-making, and preparing officers to perform effectively in high-stress environments.
Beginning his law enforcement career in 2010, Ryan has served in Detention, Patrol, Training Division, Fugitive Apprehension, and Civil Division assignments. He currently serves as a Sergeant with a large law enforcement agency in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Since 2011, Ryan has been involved in Tactical Operations, progressing from operator to Tactical Team Leader. His operational experience includes high-risk warrant service, barricaded subjects, hostage rescue, close-quarters battle (CQB), and tactical planning.
Ryan previously served in his agency’s Training Division as a Lead Firearms Instructor, Lead CQB Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. His instructional approach emphasizes mastering fundamentals, sound decision-making, and developing the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in demanding situations.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri, where he also played collegiate football. His background in athletics, tactical operations, and leadership reinforces his commitment to discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
As Co-Owner of Guardian Training Solutions, Ryan is dedicated to delivering practical, reality-based training that bridges the gap between traditional instruction and the challenges officers encounter in the field.
Ryan’s mission at Guardian Training Solutions is simple: deliver professional, realistic, and demanding training that develops more capable, confident, and prepared law enforcement professionals.
Justin Morris
Instructor
Justin Morris brings 13 years of law enforcement experience to Guardian Training Solutions, with an extensive background in tactical operations, firearms instruction, defensive tactics, and officer development.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Justin rose to the rank of Sergeant and served as a SWAT Squad Leader, gaining valuable leadership and operational experience in high-risk tactical environments. He also held a full-time assignment within the Training Division, where he served as Range Master and Lead Instructor for both firearms and defensive tactics. In these roles, Justin was responsible for developing and delivering training designed to enhance officer proficiency, tactical decision-making, and operational readiness.
Justin also serves as an instructor for the Heartland Tactical Officers Association (HTOA), teaching both Basic and Advanced SWAT Schools and sharing his expertise with tactical officers from agencies throughout the region.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Royce Gracie, Justin brings a high level of technical knowledge and practical experience in grappling, control tactics, and close-quarters engagements. His combination of tactical leadership, instructional experience, and martial arts expertise allows him to deliver realistic, effective training rooted in real-world law enforcement applications.
As an instructor with Guardian Training Solutions, Justin is dedicated to developing capable, confident, and well-prepared officers through professional, performance-driven training.
Jon Guthrie
Instructor
Jon Guthrie is a United States Marine Corps veteran and experienced law enforcement professional with an extensive background in tactical operations, firearms instruction, and specialized law enforcement training.
During his military service, Jon served as both a Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader in the United States Marine Corps, completing multiple deployments and gaining valuable experience in leadership, tactical operations, and decision-making under pressure.
With over 11 years of law enforcement experience, Jon has spent more than eight years serving as a SWAT operator. He currently holds a full-time position within his agency’s Training Division, where he serves as a Firearms, Active Shooter Response, and Ballistic Shield Instructor, among other specialized instructional roles. Jon also serves as a mechanical and explosive breacher on his department’s SWAT team, bringing extensive operational experience to high-risk tactical environments.
As an instructor with Guardian Training Solutions, Jon combines his military leadership, tactical experience, and instructional expertise to deliver practical, reality-based training. He is committed to developing capable, confident, and well-prepared officers while emphasizing continuous improvement, adaptability, and sound decision-making under pressure.
Jon believes that effective instruction is a two-way process, recognizing that even the most experienced instructors have opportunities to learn from the officers they train. His dedication to professional growth and sharing real-world experience reflects the training philosophy and standards of Guardian Training Solutions.
Andrew Hawkins
Instructor
Andrew Hawkins is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and experienced law enforcement officer with a strong background in tactical operations, firearms instruction, and close-quarters battle (CQB).
Andrew served as a Sergeant in the United States Army Infantry, deploying to the Middle East, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Andrew has served as a Patrol Officer and as a full-time instructor in his agency’s Training Division, where he taught at the Police Academy. He is also a Firearms and CQB Instructor with extensive experience in tactical training and officer development.
For the past four years, Andrew has been assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. He also serves as a SWAT operator, specializing in breaching and ballistic shield operations.
At Guardian Training Solutions, Andrew draws on his military combat experience, tactical expertise, and instructional background to deliver practical, reality-based training that prepares officers for the challenges of high-risk operations.
Muhammad-Adel Naseer
Naseer is a highly experienced law enforcement professional with over 15 years of combined military and police service. A 9-year U.S. Marine Corps Infantry veteran, Adel completed three deployments in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve, where he trained foreign military partners in weapons and tactics. Transitioning to law enforcement, Adel has served six years in the Kansas City metro area as a SWAT team operator and drone operator. A certified firearms, patrol rifle, TASER, EVOC, and Advanced TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) instructor, Adel also holds armorer certifications for Glock and Smith & Wesson.
As an adjunct academy instructor, Adel specializes in tactical training, crisis management, and advanced law enforcement techniques, focusing on practical, real-world skills to prepare officers for the challenges they face in the field.
See our training in action
Want a taste of real-life training? Watch Kevin Cronister, an instructor at Guardian Training Solutions, teach the three fundamental shield techniques. These skills are the foundation of our Ballistic Shield Training course, which is designed for officers to become proficient with the shield and use it in their day-to-day duties.
Techniques you’ll learn:
- Splitting
- Lipping
- Strike-facing
Time is ticking. In law enforcement, quick decisions are essential to keep people safe. Slow reaction time or unpreparedness can lead to tragedy. Training like this Ballistic Shield course will help officers feel confident as they protect those they swore to protect!
