Meet our instructors
Lead Instructor:
Brenin DeOliveira is a former law enforcement officer with over 17 years of service (2008–2025), and the founder of BJJ COPS, the largest police defensive tactics program in the United States. Throughout his career, he trained and mentored officers across the country, focusing on realistic survival skills, control tactics, and mission-focused discipline.
An accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Brenin has earned titles such as the Delariva Cup, Massachusetts Open, and Dragon’s Lair Absolute Championship, and competed internationally at elite levels. He is a black belt under the renowned Francisco “Toco” Albuquerque, of the Carlson Gracie lineage, and currently coaches at BTT Jax.
Blending street-tested law enforcement experience with high-level BJJ, Brenin is known for his no-nonsense leadership and commitment to officer readiness. His work has inspired a generation of police professionals to train with purpose, courage, and control.
Lineage: Carlson Gracie → Francisco “Toco” Albuquerque → Brenin DeOliveira
Assistant Instructors:
Wilson Goveia - 10 years as a Law Enforcement Officer, Florida State Law Enforcement DT instructor, Firearms instructor and SWAT operator/sniper. 10x UFC Veteran, MMA Fighter, 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Ricardo Liborio and American Top Team Pembroke Pines gym owner. Hailing from Fortaleza, Brazil and fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida, Gouveia is often considered to be the most talented fighter in American Top Team above high caliber fighters such as Thiago "Pitbull" Alves and many others.
Eddie Pagan - He is a seasoned 26-year law enforcement veteran, skilled in high-risk situations and a SWAT team operator in Coral Gables. With eleven years as a Special Agent for the DEA, he’s extensively trained in law enforcement procedures, firearms, and emergency response. His expertise includes conflict resolution and crisis prevention. Eddie is also a Field Training Officer, Team Leader of the Coral Gables SWAT team, and experienced in undercover operations. He holds certifications as a Firearms, Force on Force, and ASP Baton Instructor, and is a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu trained under Michel Porfirio of the Carlson Gracie Jr. lineage. He is also a Gracie Survival Tactics Instructor, educated in DEA Money Laundering protocols, Combat Rifle by Special Forces’ Bob Keller, and is a Defensive Tactics Instructor at Miami Dade School of Justice.
Dylan Royce - Active Law Enforcement Officer. No Gi Pan Am and American Nationals Medalist. 12X Superfight Winner for Fight to Win Promotions. Ranked Top 20 in the World at Master 1 Black Belt for IBJJF. Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology.
Luigi Fioravanti - Active Law Enforcement officer, 3rd degree black belt under Ricardo Liborio, active bjj competitor, 9X UFC veteran, 8X M-1 Global veteran a professional kickboxer and Marine Corps Infantry with 1 combat tour in Iraq.
Mike Reitmann - Active Law Enforcement Officer of 10 years, Force On Force Instructor, Current full time SWAT Officer and Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Nick Walters (second degree Black Belt under Master Luiz Palhares).
Pete DeProspo - Active police officer, Current SWAT operator, and instructor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in department’s police academy. BJJ black belt under Gabriel Gonzaga, instructor in jiu jitsu class as well as starting a jiu jitsu for law enforcement class for local agencies.
Mike Smith - NY Law Enforcement since 2011, now in Special Ops and SWAT. NYS DT instructor, BJJ brown belt at Fat Cat Jiu Jitsu under Anthony Vetro, and head of Law Enforcement training at Fat Cat BJJ.
Jesse Cohen - He is currently an investigator with the Westminster, CO Police Department, where he also serves as an arrest control and defensive tactics instructor. He is a published author and regular contributor to Police One. Training since 2008, he holds a 1st Degree black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr. and has over 15 years of experience as a BJJ instructor. As a veteran competitor and medalist in IBJJF, F2W, Grappling Industries, and Grapplers Quest, Jesse has years of experience teaching a diverse range of students, including police officers, military personnel, first-day white belts, and world-class competitors.
Mario Reyes - Active California law-enforcement officer, over 15 years. SWAT operator for over 12 years. SWAT Assistant Team Leader and sniper. California State certified Defensive Tactics Instructor. Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under 8th degree coral belt Master Joe Moreira.
Alessandro Ferreira - Active Law Enforcement Officer, California State Law Enforcement DT Instructor, Alessandro Ferreira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt/ MMA fighter 15-2, Gracie Worlds Absolute Champion, Worlds Champion, SF Open champion, Cesar Gracie Academy BJJ instructor, BJJ 3rd degree Black Belt under Ryan Gracie/Juliano Pedritta.
Ashley Cummins - Active Law enforcement officer, 10th Planet brown belt under Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez and professional MMA with over 30 fights. Ashley was a 2x title contender and ranked top 10 in the world in MMA in her weight class. Ashley is a certified California State DT instructor and also teaches DETAC at two police academies.
Oscar Magana - Active Law Enforcement, L.E. DT instructor, Special Operations Team use of force advisor, active BJJ competitor, instructor and BJJ Black belt under professor Thomas Cronin/Carlson Gracie. He originally began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a way to increase his grappling knowledge as a law enforcement officer. This career enhancing move quickly transitioned into a great appreciation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a passion to continue his grappling education and skill set.
Marco Michels - Active Law Enforcement officer, owner, instructor for RED 9 International and BJJ COPS firearms head instructor, a well knowledge instructor that focuses on the fundamentals of shooting with over a decade of experience in teaching firearms.
