Strategies to Combat the Nutritional Link to Officer Safety, Health, and Wellness

Michael is the Fitness Wellness Unit Supervisor for the Texas Department of Public Safety. At TX DPS, Harper oversees all fitness testing and assessments as well as an entire unit dedicated to helping officers and employees maintain their health, fitness and nutrition through targeted programs and initiatives. Prior to TX DPS, as former Associate Director and Strategy Leader for First Responder and Military Programs for The Cooper Institute, he assisted agencies throughout the U.S. & internationally in their quest to make themselves and their colleagues fit for duty and fit for life. Beyond first responders and military programs, Michael has significant experience in curriculum development, editing and delivery of health and fitness related content. He has also presented at regional, state and national conferences as well as regular dissemination through scholarly publications, including peer reviewed research articles, and online content. Michael has presented throughout the U.S. as well as internationally on a regular basis. This last year, he presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) mid-year conference in Chicago, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), Public Safety Commission over TX DPS, multiple agencies throughout Texas as well as in Minnesota, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Oklahoma.  Prior to this classroom, Harper started his career as an Assistant Strength Coach at Texas Tech University before moving on to become Head Strength Coach at Tarleton State University. Outside of competitive athletes, Harper has worked with beginners and a plethora of individuals in between as he successfully opened a Boot Camp style gym in Frisco, TX.   Michael received his Bachelor degree from Howard Payne University and Masters of Education in Health & Physical Education from Tarleton State University plus maintains significant practical learning as a competitive collegiate as well as endurance Ironman athlete.  Helping reduce the prevalence of heart attacks and other health disparities in law enforcement through health and fitness is very personal to Harper. That alone, just might have made an impact in the early death of his dad who suffered from the #1 killer in the U.S., a heart attack.  

Hometown: Austin, Texas   Credentials/Certifications: Master Level Peace Officer. Advance Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Instructor. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center - Certified Law Enforcement Fitness Training Coordinator & Law Enforcement Arrest Control Tactics Training Coordinator. Cooper Certified Law Enforcement Fitness Specialist. United States Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. Functional Movement System (FMS). Mechanical Advantage Control Holds (M.A.C.H.) Instructor; M.A.C.H. Close Range Subject Control (CRSC) Defensive Tactics Instructor. SPEAR System Instructor; SPEAR Control & Arrest Instructor. Field Training Officer (FTO). Taser Instructor. Pepper Ball Delivery System Instructor. Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) Instructor. Armament Systems & Procedures (ASP) Baton Instructor. Reality Based Training (RBT) Instructor.  Education: Captain Davis received his Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science Degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University. Captain Davis completed credentialed fitness & Law Enforcement education and training from the United States Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs, Colorado), the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Glynco, Georgia) and the Cooper Institute (Dallas, Texas). In addition, over 34 years of practical programming as a competitive athlete trained by world class coaching. Additionally, Captain Davis is a graduate of the DPS Leadership and Command College. Captain Davis possesses as a Master Peace Officer and holds an Advance Instructor certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.  Experience/Expertise: Captain Davis is currently in his 32nd year in the Criminal Justice career field. He began his career serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police Officer. After receiving his Honorable Discharged, he then worked as a Federal Police Officer for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police, the Attorney General's Office in Internal Security and Investigations, and the University of Texas at Austin Police Department as a Police Officer/FTO/Instructor.  For the last 18 years, he has been serving with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the following capacities: State Trooper Texas Highway Patrol; and Agent Executive Protection Bureau (Formerly the Governor's Protection Detail). Currently, Captain Davis serves as the Department's Academy Training Coordinator for the following units: Fitness Wellness Unit, Arrest Control Tactics Unit, Operational Medicine Unit and the Trooper Training Unit assigned to the Training Operations Division. Professional SME Testimonials:  * Committee on Homeland Security: Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers: Preparing America's Law Enforcement to Protect the Homeland  Subcommittee: Oversight, Management, & Accountability (116th Congress) Washington D.C. 2019.  * Texas Public Safety Commission Board (2012-2019).  * Bureau of Justice - Officer Safety Wellness Committee. Washington D.C. (2020).  * Texas Legislative Bill Proposal and Development. (2013/2015). Professional Speaker/Lecturer: Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT: Texas Police Chiefs and Command Staff Leadership Series - Sam Houston State University). International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP: Annual and Mid-Year Conferences. IACP State Police and Provincial Academy Directors Conferences (SPPADS). FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA: Wellness/Resiliency SHIELD Training for the Leadership Institute (Supervisor/Command/Executive). Texas Police Chiefs Association. Boards/Committees: * Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research National Law Enforcement Advisory Board. (2010-2016) * Physical Readiness Testing Committee. (2010-2017)   Professional Awards: 2012, the 'Unit Citation' Award 2012, 'Life Saving' Award 2015, 'Chair' Award  1988, 'Leatherneck' USMC Award