Ryan Alternative Solutions Training
RAST provides law enforcement with use-of-force training and de-escalation techniques. The RAST Method© serves to improve traditional police methods during arrest and high stress encounters to achieve maximum safety for citizens while maintaining officer safety.
Core Tenets
Accountability
We expect to live in a safe and orderly society, overseen by a fair, trustworthy policing service.
Competency
Law enforcement skills must be practiced and routinely updated in order to maintain competency. RAST provides training and unique methods to enhance an officer’s application of these skills.
Training
RAST training, reinforced through monitored guidance, emphasizes alternatives to traditional police use-of-force training, improving trust within the community.
What we do
Minimal Force Training
We train police officers in minimal force and de-escalation techniques.
Education
We believe through proper education and training, officers make better decisions.
Cooperation
Our goal is to defuse confrontation and generate cooperation with the public.
Respect
People want to be respected. They have the right to know “why” and should be presented with options rather than threats.
Training Programs
We offer various classes in cultural diversity, crisis intervention, community policing and less-than-lethal defensive tactics (no choke holds).
Empathy & Professionalism
Properly trained officers are better equipped to respond with empathy and professionalism.
Our Team
Lester Ryan
Academics
Lester Ryan earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Rutgers University in 1988. He graduated the police academy and holds numerous instructor certifications in defensive tactics, handcuffing, pressure point control, and use of minimum force in affecting arrests. Lester is also a certified instructor in passive restraint control, behavior management and crisis intervention.
Professional Career
Lester retired as a decorated Sergeant from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office in 2014 after serving 26 years in law-enforcement. During his career, he served as a juvenile detention officer, a detective and supervisor. Lester oversaw thousands of criminal investigations in various fields, including homicide, insurance fraud, domestic violence, document fraud, terrorism, violent crimes and corruption, internal affairs investigations and child abuse.
Lester has been training law enforcement and security personnel for over 35 years. Over the past 12 years, he has provided training and consulting services to local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He has also trained school and hospital security personnel. Lester also holds a black belt in Japanese Aikido.
Training and Certifications
New Mexico Institute of Technology: Instructor Responding to Terrorist Bombings
FBI: Certified Instructor in Defensive Tactics and Handcuffing
Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT), Certified Instructor
Minimum Force Control (COTA), Certified Instructor
NJ Police Training Commission, Certified Firearms Instructor
Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT): Spent 9 years as a team member
Camden County Police Academy. Edged Weapon Awareness Instructor
Dignitary Protection: Trained by the Secret Service and the Environment Protection Agency (Georgia)
Department of Homeland Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction Certification, Threat Assessment Analysis
Department of Justice: Trained in Criminal Thinking Patterns De-escalation techniques (Denver Colorado)
Office of the NJ Attorney General: Interview, Interrogation
State Police, Certified Security Officer Instructor (SORA).
Logan Ryan
Additional Programs
Training Videos
RAST offers a wide range of innovative training tools, emphasizing The Ryan Method through a learning management platform.
Training courses can be offered live in-person or in remote video formats.
Course topics include:
- Minimum Force Training
- Street arrests and utilizing de-escalation techniques
- Situational awareness
- Responding to situations involving emotionally disturbed individuals
- Edged weapon response
- Tactical handcuffing
- Executing search warrants, suspect contact and effective evidence collection
- Officer weapon retention safety procedures
- Handling motor vehicle and pedestrian stops, ensuring citizen and officer safety
Consulting
RAST training and consulting services promote the establishment and development of ongoing communication and harmonious interaction between the community and law enforcement.
This in-person training format includes live role play for an enhanced training experience.
RAST consultation services provide law enforcement agencies assistance in management, police candidate selection and internal affairs investigations.