When you talk with Paul Costa, you quickly realize that his commitment to the craft of defensive shooting and law enforcement isn’t a career—it’s a calling.
With more than 19 years in law enforcement and a lifetime spent chasing mastery, Costa now brings his experience and passion for training to the Safariland CADRE, a select group of professionals who embody the company’s mission: Together, We Save Lives.
From Patrol to Special Operations K9
Costa’s law enforcement career began almost by chance. While in college, a few close friends in law enforcement drew him into public service.
“Once I got in, everything I do, I try to do to the best of my ability,” he says. That mindset propelled him through patrol, specialized units, and eventually into the agency’s special operations K9 team — the most elite role available in his agency.
He now serves as a Special Operations Canine Handler and is deputized as a U.S. Marshal Task Force Officer, supporting federal, state, and local SWAT and tactical units. His operational purview includes high-risk warrant service, hostage rescues, fugitive apprehension, and complex terrain searches—all environments that demand precision, adaptability, and sharp decision-making.
Over his career, Costa has participated in thousands of tactical operations and earned numerous instructor certifications across disciplines like CQB, small unit tactics, night vision, combatives, and SWAT work.
Teaching with Purpose
Beyond the tactical realm, Costa is an accomplished instructor. Under Broken Arrow Defense Group LLC, he travels nationally to teach law enforcement, military, and civilian defenders who want to dive deeper into the craft of shooting and tactics. He’s also the first Walther Arms Pro Staff LE Instructor, bringing department-level training to agencies using Walther products.
His teaching philosophy is straightforward: mastery of fundamentals under stress. Rather than immediately layering in scenario-style training, Costa believes the path should start with building a surplus of mechanical skill—draw, grip, trigger, sight alignment—before introducing complexity.
“There’s no such thing as advanced shooting,” he says. “There’s only perfect execution of fundamentals under stress.” He argues that many training programs try to force realism too early, which disrupts skill development and leads to cautious, diminished performance under pressure.
Costa encourages mistakes in training, teaching students to push boundaries and learn from error without penalty—until perfection becomes the standard, not the goal.
Joining the Safariland CADRE
Costa’s relationship with Safariland evolved organically. As a longtime user of their holsters and gear, he first met Rhonda Stidham, Safariland’s Community Manager and leader of the CADRE and CORE programs, at Ohio Range Day. Their conversations led to an invitation into Safariland’s CORE program, and eventually to full CADRE membership.
For Costa, the honor is clear but also strategic. “I’m humbled and excited,” he says, “but the real opportunity is influence. CADRE gives me access to a broader market and the ability to help shape training strategies. Too often, agencies don’t train for deadly force encounters in a real way. This role allows me to push training that actually builds life-saving skill.”
He sees an essential synergy: Safariland crafts life-saving gear, but those products are only as effective as the users. “Quality products paired with quality training—that’s how we preserve life,” he notes.
Training Advice for the Next Generation
Costa’s recommendations for young officers or instructors are distilled, powerful, and no-nonsense:
- Shooting is shooting. Don’t overcomplicate it with what-ifs or hypothetical scenarios too early. Develop speed and accuracy first, then apply context.
- Focus on the fundamentals in training. There’s no such thing as advanced shooting, only perfect execution of fundamentals under stress. Encourage mistakes without penalty. If you penalize failure, shooters will play it safe. Growth comes when you push boundaries.
- Teach from where you’ve been. You can’t lead someone to a skill level you’ve never experienced. Walk the path first, then break it down for others.
He emphasizes that fundamentals—grip, sight alignment, trigger control, recoil management—must be internalized before introducing stress. Only then will performance hold under fire.
The Never-Ending Drive to Get Better Every Day
Despite a long list of accomplishments, Costa insists he’s not “finished” or “arrived.” Instead, he describes his career as a relentless quest for mastery—an ongoing journey rather than a destination.
“Perfection doesn’t exist,” he says, “but the pursuit of it keeps you sharp.” He is driven by a love of the craft, the community, and the opportunity to shorten the learning curve for others. His goal is to “round the corners” of the journey for students, delivering a more direct path to meaningful skill and confidence.
He caps his philosophy with a few mantras: “Stay humble. Question everything. Validate everything through your own training experience.” He adds, “You get exactly out of it what you put into it.”
Paul Costa’s induction into the Safariland CADRE marks an alignment of mission. For those who care about defending loved ones, mastering one’s craft, and ensuring that life-saving tools are matched by life-saving skills, Costa’s presence in the CADRE is a significant and welcome addition.
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