The C.A.L.M. Approach
Creation
Richard M. Smith, Jr.
President and Chief Consultant,
Con10gency Consulting
Creator of the C.A.L.M. Approach & Chief Instructor
Key Contributor, Monitor and Lateral Recovery Restraint
Richard M. Smith, Jr. is a former United States Marine who joined the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in September of 1989. He has been assigned to the Patrol Division, Training Academy, and the Tactical Response Unit. Most recently, he was a member of the Special Operations Unit, where he was assigned as a full time Hostage Negotiator and as the SAPD Tactical Medic Program’s Coordinator before retiring in March 2017. Richard has participated in hundreds of critical incidents, and has been the Primary Negotiator in many of those incidents.
Throughout his career Richard has developed and coordinated numerous programs, including:
-
Developer and Coordinator of the SAPD's Tactical Medic program, which employs officers with advanced training to provide life-saving medical care.
-
Developer and Coordinator of the Alamo Area Tactical Medic School, a 56 hour tactical medicine course in South Texas. Also developed and coordinated a 36 hour integrated response to active shooter course approved by both the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Education.
-
Partnering with the 100 Club of San Antonio, a non-profit geared toward supporting the families of fallen first responders, on development and coordination of life-saving curriculum offered free to area first responders multiple times a year.
-
Developing and implementing the Self-Aid/Buddy-Aid Program, which trained the entire San Antonio Police Department in tourniquet application and basic first aid.
In direct response to challenges facing law enforcement, Con10gency president and retired police officer of 27 years, Richard M. Smith, Jr., brought together subject matter experts in development of the C.A.L.M. Approach. Under his guidance, they created the response matrix and curriculum focused on Communication, Active Physical Control Maneuvers, Lateral Recovery Restraint, and Monitoring.
Contributors
Dr. Melissa Graham, Ph.D.
Director of Psychological Services, San Antonio Fire Dept.
Communication
Dr. Melissa Graham is a licensed psychologist who has dedicated her career to supporting first responders, veterans, and their families. She completed her residency and internship with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs before transitioning to work for the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where she functioned for nearly 20 years. During her tenure with SAPD, Dr. Graham initiated many innovative training programs, including crisis intervention training and the peer support program. Dr. Graham was a respected staff instructor at the SAPD Training Academy and was responsible for conducting pre-employment psychological screenings for prospective police applicants. Dr. Graham also provided therapeutic programs and clinical psychological services for officers and their families. Dr. Graham was a member of the SAPD Hostage Negotiation Team, where she was a subject matter expert, providing critical de-escalation guidance during rapidly evolving life-threatening events.
In May 2019, Dr. Graham was promoted to her current position, Director of Psychological Services for the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD). In this role Dr. Graham has designed new state-of-the-art training programs in support of firefighter needs, including post-incident stress debriefing (PSD) and firefighter wellness programs. In addition, she oversees the department’s crisis intervention training and peer support team, which she created. Dr. Graham continues to provide clinical therapy for firefighters and their families as well as pre-employment evaluations for prospective applicants.
In 2018, Dr. Graham was awarded Mental Health Professional of the Year for the State of Texas for her efforts on the Texas Crisis Intervention Team. She received her Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in July 2004 following her Masters in Community Counseling from the University of Oklahoma in 1998. Dr. Graham serves as the Psychological Services representative in several community action groups and on multiple conference planning committees.
Pete Hardy
Founder and President,
STW Krav Maga / 911 Self Defense
Active Physical Control Maneuvers
Pete Hardy is Chief Instructor at STW Krav Maga/911 Self Defense with more than 40 years of experience in the fitness industry, 15 of which he’s spent as a Krav Maga licensee. In addition, Pete has earned the following honors:
-
4th Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga
-
Certified NRA Pistol Instructor
-
Certified Krav Maga Train-the-Trainer
-
Contractor for the Alamo Area Council of Governments Law Enforcement Academy – Defensive Tactics Instructor
-
Contractor for the Department of Defense – Defensive Tactics Instructor
-
Founder of Dangerously Cute Women’s Self-Defense Seminars
-
Recipient of the Jefferson Public Service Award