AUTHOR | SPEAKER | CRISIS RESPONSE PROFESSIONAL | INSTRUCTOR

Jeffrey J. Denning’s life has been shaped by action, service, and a commitment to helping others through their hardest moments. A former U.S. Army officer and police hostage negotiator, he has spent decades navigating dangerous situations—negotiating high-risk incidents, training officers in firearms and tactics, and protecting lives under extreme pressure. Along the way, he saw firsthand the toll that trauma takes on military veterans, first responders and their families. Determined to make a difference, Jeff earned advanced degrees in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Special Operations, combining tactical expertise with compassionate care. Today, he is a sought-after speaker, training instructor, and crisis response specialist who equips individuals and organizations to prepare for, survive, and recover from critical incidents—bringing hope, healing, and hard-won wisdom to those who need it most.

Operational Experience and Organizations

  • U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer – Military Police full-time SWAT team leader

  • Dallas Police Department – Patrol officer on 9/11

  • Diplomatic Security – Protected high-profile personnel during the U.S.-led "Roadmap to Mideast Peace"

  • Federal Air Marshal Service – Protected U.S. commercial aviation assets as part of elite federal counterterrorism operations

  • U.S. Army Reserves Commissioned Officer – Led troops in high-stakes environments, including in Iraq

  • Law Enforcement Veteran – Managed high-risk calls and crisis negotiations; Captain of award-winning shooting team

  • Firearms & Tactics Instructor – Trained thousands of law enforcement, military, and civilians in life-saving skills

  • Trusted by Agencies Nationwide –Worked with police and fire departments, military units, nuclear security personnel, and Other Government Agencies

  • Salt Lake City Police Department – Hostage negotiator, peer support leader, and detective with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Volunteer service

  • Utah CISM Team – Volunteer mental health professional and former Chair of the Board with Department of Public Safety, Bureau of EMS

  • Utah Attorney General's Office – Volunteer Reserve Special Agent

  • American Red Cross – Volunteer Disaster Mental Health professional

Mental Health & Crisis Response Expertise

  • Jeff has trained thousands of individuals in peer support, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention, including 988 crisis workers

  • Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Bridging psychology and real-world crisis experience

  • Master’s in Special Operations & Low-Intensity Conflict – Specialized in counterterrorism and irregular warfare studies

  • Utah Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team – Past Chairman of the board of 200+ volunteers

  • Peer Support & CISM Facilitator – Provides pre-incident training, critical incident intervention, and post-crisis support

  • Co-Founder of First Responders First – A Utah-based mental health company focusing on public safety professionals and their families

  • Advocate for First Responder Wellness – Dedicated to reducing burnout and strengthening individual and team resilience

Online Courses

Jeffrey J. Denning offers powerful online courses designed to equip first responders, businesses, and individuals with the tools they need to handle crisis situations with confidence. His training covers pre-incident preparation, acute stress management, critical incident debriefing, and post-crisis recovery strategies. Combining his experience as a SWAT team leader, Federal Air Marshal, and mental health professional, Jeff’s courses are practical, evidence-based, and immediately actionable — giving participants the knowledge and confidence to lead effectively, protect their teams, and safeguard mental health when it matters most.

Firearms Instructor

Jeffrey J. Denning is a nationally recognized firearms and tactics instructor with decades of hands-on experience training military units, federal agents, police officers, and civilians. As a former SWAT team leader and Federal Air Marshal, he brings real-world expertise to every course, teaching not just marksmanship but mindset, decision-making, and life-saving tactics under stress. His training focuses on safety, confidence, and precision — preparing students to perform when it matters most.

Influence and Audience

  • Professional Speaker & Trainer – Keynotes, workshops, and seminars on crisis leadership, resilience, and preparation

  • Published Author & Thought Leader – Books and articles on mental health, tactics, and spiritual growth

  • Media Contributor – Featured on CNN, ABC, FOX, and other national news outlets as a subject-matter expert

  • Organizations, businesses, or public safety agencies seeking a speaker, training instructor, and consultant

  • Organizations looking for mental wellness and resilience support

  • Media, press, and interviewers

  • People that are interested in his writings and books

Testimonials

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ “I always came away…better informed but also more able to see issues previously overlooked or ignored. His command of the language is of a high quality and he organizes and presents his thoughts in a clear, cogent manner.… I have very high regard for this man.” - Robert S. Patterson, Dean of Education, Emeritus, BYU

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ “I have reached out to Jeff on several occasions when I have run into a tough situation at work. Every time, Jeff has responded quickly with references or services for our people. Jeff has played a pivotal role in the success of our peer support team.” - Lt. Kevin Hunter, Salt Lake County Sheriff‘s Office

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ “He is truly one of the ‘best of the best.’ Jeff’s leadership capability is outstanding.… His people skills are outstanding.”- Dr. R. Craig Shakespeare, DMD

Contact Jeffrey Denning

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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of any organization, agency, or entity with which the author has been previously or is currently associated. The content presented here is solely the opinion and responsibility of the author and/or contributors and should not be interpreted as representing the official stance of the U.S. Department of Defense, any branch of the United States Government, including federal, state, county, or municipal organizations, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.