Bret Bartlett retired from the Tampa Police Department at the rank of Captain with almost 32 years of service. Some of his assignments at TPD included the Commander of the Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Major Crimes Bureau, and Internal Affairs Bureau. He was the agency’s lead firearms instructor for

many years.

Bret remains certified as a firearms instructor by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, by the State of Florida as a firearms instructor for armed guards and private investigators, and by the National Rifle Association, both for civilian and law enforcement courses. He also certified as a Firearm Specialist by the IFSA.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Education (concentration in adult education) from Northwestern State University (Louisiana), and is an adjunct instructor for both the Hillsborough Community College and Pasco/Hernando State

College for basic recruit academies and for-credit classes.

He is a Florida-licensed Private Investigator and is the owner of Ex Umbra Defense Solutions, a Florida LLC that offers private investigations, executive protection, private security, and firearms training.