David H. Leflet

David H. Leflet holds a master of science degree from Michigan State University, where he majored in security and criminal investigation. After graduation, he joined the Dade County Public Safety Department, now called the Miami-Dade Police Department. With the MDPD, Leflet was a member of the Hostage Release Team (sniper) and the Special Response Team (team leader). Leflet was a state-certified defensive tactics instructor most of his career, holds advanced black belts in karate and juai jung karbo, and shot distinguished expert with revolvers and Colt.45 ACP semiautomatic pistols. Before he retired from Dade County, Leflet executed several hundred break orders, which authorized a forcible entry if necessary, and participated in dozens of deadly confrontations involving knives or guns, including several cases where he did empty-handed knife or gun disarms. He spent the last few years of his Dade County career in the Training Bureau, during which time he developed computer-based training programs for law enforcement.

Curtis L. Porter served in the U.S. Marine Corps and saw combat action during the Gulf War. During his tour of duty in Kuwait, he was a platoon sergeant in charge of a Marine combat unit, and he received medals and commendations for devotion to duty, courage under fire, and uncommon valor during combat operations. It was during the Gulf War that Porter started developing the handgun techniques that later evolved into the Porter method. These techniques are the direct result of using a handgun as his primary weapon when conducting numerous building searches in Kuwait, and he carefully organized and refined these techniques when serving as a Marine small-arms instructor. After leaving the Corps, Porter worked as a police officer and continued to refine the Porter method.