Retired Police Detective Corporal | US Marine Corps SNCO

Chris Grollnek

International Public Speaker | Media Contributor

Active Shooter Expert Chris Grollnek, M.S. is one of the nation’s leading active shooter prevention experts with over 30 years of experience in the study and application of protective measures in the military, police, and special purpose contracting. 

As the Founder and Managing Principal of the Active Shooter Prevention Project, LLC (ASPP), LLC, the benchmark of “Active Shooter Prevention,” Christopher Grollnek is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts regarding the phenomenon of active shooter incidents. 

Active Shooter Expert Chris Grollnek

About Chris

Active Shooter Expert Chris Grollnek (#activeshooterexpert) is a highly sought-after international public speaker, trainer, educator, writer, and director and has appeared in numerous documentaries. Active Shooter Expert Chris Grollnek also provides specialized consulting services to Fortune 500 companies and special events. Grollnek has testified about the Terrorism and Counterterrorism training needs of the United States and beyond before the U.S. Senate Ways and Means subcommittees in the Hart Senate office building in 2002. Leading up to his testimony before the U.S. Senate, Chris Grollnek was invited by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C. to provide insight to Ph.D. and Senior Executives Staff of the U.S. Government on subterranean training, complex curriculum development, and public lectures.

Although retired, Chris remains continuously sought for public speaking appearances, training seminars, assessments, and media consulting; reestablishing himself, Active Shooter Expert Chris Grollnek performs his work with a rich history in risk management, mitigation strategies, OSHA policy compliance, police best practices, policy, and security assessment programs. Focusing on cost-saving initiatives for security departments that generally run in the overhead and expenditure column, Chris has found cost-saving initiatives that show a return on investment year-over-year. These programs emphasize personal safety in public places while conducting risk management consulting to “C” Level Executives and Government Senior Executive Service professionals. Along with a team of highly experienced executives and former military officers, Chris Grollnek creates lasting value in ASPP, LLC services, specializing in Active Shooter Prevention, Domestic Terrorism awareness and mitigation, policy and script writing, and media appearances.

Chris Grollnek has earned numerous military and police certifications. As the former Secretary of the International Association of Undercover Officers, Inc., Chris maintains memberships in the National Tactical Police Officers Association (NTOA), Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA), and the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA).

Before the formation of Active Shooter Prevention Project, LLC, in October 2003, Chris Grollnek was sworn in as an officer of the McKinney Police Department and assigned to the reserve unit patrol division. In February 2004, Chris became a full-time officer, advancing quickly through the department. Serving in each division of the agency, Chris has an impressive background of police experience. Early in his career, Chris worked with the gang unit, illicit narcotic street interdiction. As a result, he was selected ahead of several peers and supervisors to work as an undercover narcotics detective in the highly coveted position. Following his tenure working undercover in federal and state prosecutions with a high caseload, Chris later transferred to the detective pool, working on both crimes against persons and property. In 2007, Chris Grollnek was promoted to Corporal, filling a sergeant billet for the patrol division power shift. Chris served with the department’s part-time Special Weapons and Tactics Team in nearly every position from 2005 through mid-2008 and again in 2009 through his retirement in September 2011. Chris held positions on the team, including permitter, entry team member, advanced tactics and firearms instructor, shotgun breacher, rural terrain tactics instructor, and training coordinator.

Additional achievements during Grollnek’s police time include oversight for subordinate officers throughout the department. As a certified investigator, Chris Grollnek graduated from the ILEA School of Professional Standards, Ethics, and Internal Affairs. In addition, Chris has been awarded multiple merit awards and unit commendations for his tireless efforts in community safety endeavors, including the Police Shield for bravery during a critical incident. Before joining the McKinney Police Department, Grollnek was a United States Marine. Chris Grollnek spent his final three years with the Marines as Reserve Battalion Operations Chief and Armory Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in San Antonio, Texas. Grollnek served in various capacities with the Marines, including Master Instructor, Weapons Expert, Senior Drill Instructor, and Close Combat Instructor.

Decorated for his military service, Chris Grollnek holds a Navy Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, 3 Navy Achievement Medals, and campaign ribbons and medals, along with seven expert awards for marksmanship with both the rifle and pistol. A University of South Carolina graduate, Chris Grollnek earned an Associate of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership Studies from the University of Maryland University College.

Active Shooter Expert and Public Speaker Chris Grollnek Training Seminar 2023
Active Shooter Expert and Public Speaker Chris Grollnek Training Seminar 2023

In March 2012, Chris Grollnek received his Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security with a 4.0 GPA, graduating with honors from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, in October of 2011, Chris Grollnek was inducted into the National Criminal Justice Honor Society in the Eta Theta chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma at the University of Phoenix, Inc.

Recognized for serving the community, Chris Grollnek has donated his time and energy to a wide range of philanthropic causes on a local, state, and national level. Over the years, Grollnek has volunteered at several Independent School Districts’ gang and awareness groups, the Nexus Recovery Center, Inc., the Texas Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and the First Preventers. Away from his work, Chris enjoys all manner of recreational activities, practicing digital photography and reading whenever possible. Along with his family, Chris Grollnek is retired and lives between Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

Testimonials

“The presentation was very captivating. Chris does a very effective job delivering key points about active shooter while maintaining a fun and lively atmosphere. Enjoyable and entertaining all at the same time. Our audience enjoyed the interactive nature of the presentation and the personal stories and experience given by Chris.” 

-Windell Mollenido, Executive Director IREM Orange County