MISSION

    The Arizona Tactical Officers Association has been established to advance the education and professionalism of law enforcement officers involved in Emergency Response functions through the exchange of ideas and information relating to tactics, techniques and to further the networking and interrelation of departments and personnel. It will also provide information about the activities to the Arizona Chiefs of Police Association and other interested Governmental units.

    ABOUT US

    The creation of the Arizona Tactical Officers Association stemmed out of a conversation at the Peoria Police Department Firearms range back in 2009. The goal was to create an organization that would address the needs of tactical officers across the state. With the help and commitment of 12 different agencies and a dozen volunteers, ATOA created as a professional organization to advance the SWAT community in Arizona.

    Since its creation, ATOA has allowed members to exchange, share, and discuss operational information, lessons learned, equipment issues, and training opportunities with tactical officers across the state. In keeping up with the ATOA’s mission to enhance operational capabilities, it has provided free training to all members of the association. A wide range of topics are covered by ATOA, to include, three sniper-related training events, TEMS, low light tactics, AR15/M16 armorer’s course, SWAT defensive tactics and night vision/thermal imaging courses and much more.

    The association started small and has since grown to an estimated 1,000 members and we are proud of the work we are doing for tactical officers across Arizona.

    Join Now!

    ATOA Leadership

    SGT. DOUG SCHOLZ - PRESIDENT

    Sgt. Doug Scholz was one of the founding ATOA board members and has been the serving as the President for the last 8 years. He is a Sergeant with the Chandler Police Department and has been with the Department since 1996. He is currently assigned to the Special Operations Support Bureau as the full time SWAT Coordinator and Training Supervisor. He has been a member of this team for over 20 years and a team leader for the past 15 years. Doug is also an adjunct instructor for the National Tactical Officers Association and teaches the Less-Lethal and Chemical Munitions courses, as well as, the SWAT Team Leader course. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

    Contact Doug at [email protected]

    DEPUTY CHIEF JON BRAMBILA - VICE PRESIDENT

    Deputy Chief Jon Brambila is Vice President of ATOA. Currently, he works for the Prescott Police Department, where he has dedicated 25-years of service. Of those 25-year, 15 have been dedicated to tactical operations as a team member, assistant team leader, team leader, and team commander. He has served as an ATOA board member since 2010. In addition to his role as Vice President, he has also served as the North Region Representative and Secretary.

    Contact Jon at [email protected]

    LT. EVAN BECHER - SECRETARY

    I was hired by the Surprise Police Department in 2007. During my time with the City of Surprise, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in several different roles. As I promoted and took on new roles, none replaced my passion for SWAT and tactical community. Early on in my career, I was selected to join our department’s CNT team. Although my time on CNT was short, it provided me with an amazing perspective on critical incident resolution. I joined our department’s SWAT team in 2011 and have been involved with the team ever since. During my time on SWAT, I became one of our department’s first explosive breachers and played a primary role in the implementation of the practice. My path on the team progressed throughout the years, becoming a team leader as a sergeant and ultimately a team commander when I promoted to lieutenant. I currently supervise the department’s Tactical Support Division, which, encompasses SWAT.

    As a member of the ATOA for over a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to see it grow and develop into what it is today. If elected to the position of treasurer, I would support the association’s continued growth and relevance in the tactical community, locally and nationally.

    Contact Evan at [email protected]

    Alva Photo

    DEPUTY PHIL ALVA - TREASURER

    I have 20 years law enforcement experience, I have spent the last 15 years with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, where I have served as a Deputy, Field Training Deputy, Detective, and Recruit Training Deputy. I have 16 years experience in SWAT starting with Safford Police Department as a Sniper and have been apart of the Pinal Regional SWAT team since 2010. I have spent time as a Sniper, Operator and Team leader and still currently serve as a Sniper for the Pinal Regional SWAT Team. I have been apart of ATOA since 2018 first serving as Eastern Regional Rep, and recently was elected ATOA Treasurer in 2022.

    Contact Phil at [email protected]

    SGT. SETH BIGALOW- TRAINING COORDINATOR

    Seth Bigalow is currently a Sergeant with the Peoria Police Department. He has been a part of the Department SWAT team since 2009. Seth has been an active member of the ATOA since its inception and was recently appointed by the Board to serve as the Association Training Coordinator.

    Contact Seth at [email protected]

    CHIEF DEPUTY MATTHEW THOMAS - VENDER COORDINATOR

    Chief Deputy Matthew Thomas is a 26-year veteran of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Chief Thomas served in various positions throughout his career at the Sheriff's Office to include motors, narcotics, and patrol. He was also a member of the Pinal Regional SWAT Team from 1997 to 2014 and 2016 until his promotion to Chief Deputy. He is a dedicated member and active participant of the ATOA board.

    Contact Matt at [email protected]

    REGIONS

    NORTHERN ARIZONA [email protected]

    Contact: SGT. KEVIN MURIE
    Coconino County
    Navajo County
    Apache County
    Yavapai County

    SOUTHERN ARIZONA [email protected]

    Contact: SGT PAT HILLIKER Pima County SO
    Pima County
    Cochise County
    Santa Cruz County

    CENTRAL ARIZONA [email protected]

    Contact: SGT. BRIAN ESPERUM - Phoenix PD
    Maricopa County

    WESTERN ARIZONA [email protected]

    Contact: VACANT
    LaPaz County
    Yuma County
    Mohave County

    EASTERN ARIZONA [email protected]

    Contact: OFC. BRYAN MARTINEZ - CASA GRANDE PD
    Gila County
    Pinal County
    Graham County
    Greenlee County

    SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

    BREACHER

    VACANT
    VACANT

    [email protected]

    SNIPER

    VACANT

    VACANT

    [email protected]

    EOD

    VACANT
    VACANT

    [email protected]

    GRENADIER

    VACANT

    VACANT

    [email protected]

    TEMS

    Casey Lopez – Chandler FD
    Scott Garzuizi – Honor Health

    [email protected]

    CNT

    Ben Wetzel- Phoenix PD
    Jeff Carrion- Goodyear PD

    [email protected]

    K9 SWAT

    VACANT
    VACANT

    [email protected]

    COMBATIVES

    VACANT

    VACANT

    [email protected]

    TESTIMONIALS

    The ATOA SME boards have provided our team resources and expertise that have advanced our response capabilities in every aspect. We frequently reach out to gain insight into training curriculum, opportunities, and operational practices that have grown our Sniper and TEMs programs. Each year the annual ATOA conference provides our team has the opportunity to grow our networks, develop new practices and procedures, and identify equipment and technology that expands or improves upon our ability to provide tactical response services to our community.
    Lt. Mark Filler
    Surprise Police Department
    I joined the ATOA to be part of an organization dedicated to serving its membership. Our shared goals and interests, within tactical police operations, affords us a tremendous amount of training and experience that can benefit all.
    Sgt. Anthony Cardinale
    Gila River Police Department
    After being a member of ATOA for many years, I knew that it is one most respected and progressive tactical associations in the country. I joined as a board member to help contribute to the future of the organization so we can continue to grow and give back to the law enforcement community.
    Sgt. Nicholas Alamshaw
    Scottsdale Police Department
    In the SWAT world, there is no greater value than that of a network of other tactical officers to train with, collaborate with, and to learn from. The ATOA provides me with that network and gives me the advantage of having tactical officers from SWAT teams around the state and region that are all part of the same organization.
    Chief Deputy Matthew Thomas
    Pinal County Sheriff's Office
    ATOA has served as an excellent resource in providing the Peoria Police Department with access to low-cost training classes and top-notch instructors. ATOA has brought excellent debriefs and learning opportunities to Arizona and has helped us maintain a high quality of service to our citizens.
    Sgt. Jeff Carrion
    Peoria Police Department
    1000

    MEMBERS

    118

    LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

    65

    CITIES

    15

    COUNTIES

    OUR PARTNERS

    The Arizona Tactical Officers Association proudly partners with these organizations.