Our TRAIN TO BE SAFE Instructors
Chris Pope - Owner/Chief Instructor
Chris Pope is the founder and owner of Train to Be Safe Academy. Chris grew up in Northeast Ohio and currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is an active church member, a technology professional consultant and dedicated husband and father. Church, Family and Community are driving dedications for his life.
Chris has been passionate about firearm safety and training from an early age. Chris’ father was a decorated United States Army Green Beret and along with Chris' mother, instilled in Chris a sense of pride in service to country, self-reliance, service to others, as well as an understanding of the proper and safe use of firearms. His first experience with firearms was a gift of a .22 caliber hunting rifle from his father at the age of 12.
That passion has stayed with Chris, and is evident in the ongoing personal improvement and training that he has pursued for his own education. This is the source of knowledge that Chris has used to develop the curriculum of training and education offerings for his students. Train To Be Safe Academy is a constantly evolving and growing organization of trainers, facilities and educational offerings.
Current Certifications
· National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor :Pistol · Rifle · Shotgun · Personal Protection In The Home · Personal Protection Outside the Home · Refuse To Be A Victim · Chief Range Safety Officer
· NRA Advanced Pistol Instructor
· RangeMaster: Certified Instructor
· Glock: Certified Instructor
· Gunsite Academy: Pistol 150 Graduate
· SabreRed: Certified Instructor – Personal Safety Academy
· Glock: Armorer · Certified Instructor
· Smith & Wesson: Military and Police (M&P) Pistol Armorer
Other Accomplishments
· Chris an Endowment Member of the NRA
· Safety Director at the Marion County Fish and Game Association club and shooting range.
Chris has been passionate about firearm safety and training from an early age. Chris’ father was a decorated United States Army Green Beret and along with Chris' mother, instilled in Chris a sense of pride in service to country, self-reliance, service to others, as well as an understanding of the proper and safe use of firearms. His first experience with firearms was a gift of a .22 caliber hunting rifle from his father at the age of 12.
That passion has stayed with Chris, and is evident in the ongoing personal improvement and training that he has pursued for his own education. This is the source of knowledge that Chris has used to develop the curriculum of training and education offerings for his students. Train To Be Safe Academy is a constantly evolving and growing organization of trainers, facilities and educational offerings.
Current Certifications
· National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor :Pistol · Rifle · Shotgun · Personal Protection In The Home · Personal Protection Outside the Home · Refuse To Be A Victim · Chief Range Safety Officer
· NRA Advanced Pistol Instructor
· RangeMaster: Certified Instructor
· Glock: Certified Instructor
· Gunsite Academy: Pistol 150 Graduate
· SabreRed: Certified Instructor – Personal Safety Academy
· Glock: Armorer · Certified Instructor
· Smith & Wesson: Military and Police (M&P) Pistol Armorer
Other Accomplishments
· Chris an Endowment Member of the NRA
· Safety Director at the Marion County Fish and Game Association club and shooting range.
Joe Cruz - Senior Instructor
Joe has 10yrs experience in the United States Army where his duties included service in the Ranger Battalion and Light Infantry as well as in the Military Police Corps where he was assigned to Military Police Investigations. While in the army Joe was a defensive tactics instructor specializing in hand-to-hand combatives and has extensive Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training and experience.
Joe also has experience in civilian law enforcement as a former police officer in the state of New Hampshire, including training with the US Marshall's service.
In addition to being an NRA Certified instructor, Joe is a certified instructor for both Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do through the Japanese Ministry of Education with over 26 years of experience.
Current Certifications
· National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor: Pistol · Rifle · Shotgun · Personal Protection In The Home · Personal Protection Outside the Home · Refuse To Be A Victim · Range Safety Officer
Joe is also an instructor for Train To Be Safe · Defensive Handgun · Defensive Shotgun ·Defensive Carbine.
Joe also has experience in civilian law enforcement as a former police officer in the state of New Hampshire, including training with the US Marshall's service.
In addition to being an NRA Certified instructor, Joe is a certified instructor for both Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do through the Japanese Ministry of Education with over 26 years of experience.
Current Certifications
· National Rifle Association (NRA) Instructor: Pistol · Rifle · Shotgun · Personal Protection In The Home · Personal Protection Outside the Home · Refuse To Be A Victim · Range Safety Officer
Joe is also an instructor for Train To Be Safe · Defensive Handgun · Defensive Shotgun ·Defensive Carbine.