Wayne Pugh

Winchester

Summary

Highly experienced California law enforcement professional with over 14 years of progressive experience in gang and narcotics investigations, firearms instruction, tactical training, and curriculum development. Proven leader with extensive experience building agency-wide training programs, authoring California POST-certified courses, and instructing law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians. Founder of a department-wide Training Cadre responsible for firearms, tactics, defensive tactics, EVOC, force-on-force, and scenario-based training.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

Owner / Lead Instructor

Primal Response Training Group

01.2019 - Current

Founded and operate firearms and tactical training company, delivering specialized instruction to military, law enforcement, and civilian clients.
Developed and instructed comprehensive courses in handgun, rifle, CQB, tactical movement, low-light operations, force-on-force, and scenario-based training to enhance participant proficiency.
Provided instructor development courses focused on decision-making, officer survival, and performance under stress, fostering skill advancement among trainees.

Detective – Gangs & Narcotics

Escondido Police Department

01.2016 - Current

Progressed through multiple specialized assignments within the department.
Conduct complex gang and narcotics investigations utilizing proactive enforcement and intelligence-led policing.
Plan and execute high-risk search warrants and enforcement operations.
Conducted proactive gang suppression operations targeting violent offenders and organized criminal activity.
Investigated gang-related crimes and maintained gang intelligence.
Develop confidential informants and conduct long-term criminal investigations.
Served as gang enforcement officer, focusing on reducing gang violence.
Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and provide courtroom testimony.
Participated in specialized enforcement details and coordinated multi-agency operations to disrupt organized crime.

Deputy Sheriff – Corrections

Riverside County Sheriff’s Office

01.2012 - 01.2016

Performed duties as a Correctional Deputy, supervising inmates, securing the facility, and ensuring the safe operation of a county detention facility.
Conducted inmate classifications, searches, transports, and incident responses to ensure proper inmate placement and safety.
Maintained safety and security through proactive inmate management and strict policy compliance to prevent incidents.
Prepared detailed reports, documented incidents, and coordinated effectively with sworn staff and allied agencies to enhance operational communication.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice

California Coast University

Santa Ana

Skills

Gang Investigations
Narcotics Investigations
Criminal Investigations
High-Risk Warrant Operations
Firearms Instruction
Tactical Training
Force-on-Force Training
Vehicle CQB (VCQB)

Scenario-Based Training
Defensive Tactics
Officer Survival
Leadership & Mentoring
Curriculum Development
California POST Instruction
Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC)

Accomplishments

Founded the Escondido Police Department Training Cadre.
Authored multiple California POST-certified training courses.
Developed agency-wide training programs in firearms, tactics, defensive tactics, force-on-force, and officer survival.
Instructor for military, law enforcement, and civilian students throughout California.