Gene Petrino
Gene Petrino is a nationally recognized security expert and retired S.W.A.T. Commander dedicated to helping people protect what matters most — their homes, families, and peace of mind.
With over two decades of law enforcement and leadership experience, Gene has served as an officer, sergeant, police academy instructor, and S.W.A.T. Commander for the Plantation Police Department in Broward County, Florida. His career also included work on specialized task forces focused on gangs, firearms, and burglaries, where he conducted surveillance and developed deep insight into criminal behavior and prevention strategies.
Gene holds a Master’s degree in Security Management and a Bachelor’s in Criminology, and he is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) — the gold standard certification in the security industry. He’s a graduate of the Command Officer Development Course at the University of Louisville and the FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy, reflecting his commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.
As the founder of Survival Response LLC, Gene now trains educators, office teams, healthcare staff, and public safety professionals in awareness and threat prevention. He’s a frequent media contributor, a highly regarded public speaker, and author of Guardian Awareness: How to Spot Trouble Before It Spots You.
Every article and product review Gene writes is informed by firsthand experience — combining tactical expertise, academic rigor, and a genuine passion for keeping people safe. When Gene speaks about home and personal security, you can trust it comes from real-world knowledge earned on the front lines.
Gene’s Credentials:
- Retired SWAT Commander
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
- M.A. Security Management
- B.A. Criminology
- Graduate, Command Officer Development Course, University of Louisville
- Graduate, FBI LEEDA Leadership Trilogy
- Trainer for educators, office teams, healthcare staff, and public safety professionals
- Contributor to national media on awareness and workplace safety
- Highly-regarded public speaker
- Author of Guardian Awareness: How to Spot Trouble Before it Spots You
In the News:
Gene has been featured in dozens of national news outlets, including:
Good Morning America
You’ll also find Gene’s home security expertise featured in:
You don’t need a badge to protect your family — you just need the right awareness, the right mindset, and the right guidance. And that’s where we come in.