Our Team
A PERSONAL PROTECTION TRAINING TEAM YOU CAN TRUST
We are an experienced, qualified, and inclusive personal protection training center serving Contra Costa County.
About us
Welcome to Split Second Response, where we are dedicated to providing the highest quality self-defense and personal protection training available.
At Split Second Response, we believe that everyone should have the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. That's why we offer a wide range of self-defense and personal protection training programs, including martial arts and personal safety classes, firearms training, first aid and CPR certification, security training, active shooter training, and more. Our expert instructors are committed to providing personalized attention and customized instruction to help every student achieve their goals and stay safe in any situation.
We are proud to be a leader in the self-defense and personal protection training industry and are dedicated to continuing our tradition of excellence in everything we do. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, we welcome you to join our community and start building the skills and confidence you need to stay safe and protected.
our staff: Martial arts | Firearms | First Aid | SECURITY training
Dr. Tim Calvin, Ed.D., MBA, CEO & Founder
Dr. Tim Calvin is the founder and CEO of Split-Second Response, Inc. Dr. Calvin began training in the martial arts in 1994 and founded the Conditioned Combat Response self-defense system. Dr. Calvin earned a 5th-degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, a 5th-degree black belt in Senkotiros Arnis, he is a Certified Level 2 Krav Maga Instructor, a certified Kickboxing Instructor, and a blue belt in BJJ.
Before teaching martial arts, Dr. Calvin was a police officer for 8-years. Dr Calvin worked for the Oakland Police Dept. for 2 years, working Patrol and as an Undercover Narcotics Officer. Dr. Calvin left O.P.D. and went to the Novato Police Dept., where he worked for 6-years. While at N.P.D., Dr. Calvin served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, ASP Baton Instructor, and on Novato's S.W.A.T. team.
Before venturing into a career in law enforcement, Dr. Calvin served 6-years in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a H.A.W.K. Missile Operator, shooting surface-to-air missiles. Dr. Calvin served during "Operation Desert Storm" and was honorably discharged as an E-5 (Sergeant).
Dr. Calvin has a bachelor's degree in business management from Western Governors University (WGU), an MBA from WGU, and a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Administration from Cal Baptist University (CBU).
Dr. Calvin is also a DOJ Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Instructor, a DOJ Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC) Instructor, a BSIS Firearms Instructor, a USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Instructor, an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, an NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO), an NRA Refuse To Be A Victim (RTBAV) Instructor, a BSIS Baton Instructor, an AVERT Active Shooter Instructor and Instructor Trainer, an American Red Cross and Health and Safety Institute (HSI) Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, an Axon Taser Instructor, an ASP Be Your Own Defender (BYOD) Chemical Agent Instructor, and an ASP Baton, Handcuffing, and Tactical Flashlight Instructor.
Jarell Calvin, Master instructor
Jarell Calvin is the Master Instructor at Split-Second Response. Master Jarell began training in the martial arts in 1997, earning a 5th-degree Black Belt in Conditioned Combat Response, a 4th-degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, a 1st-degree black belt in Senkotiros Arnis, and he is a Certified Level 1 Krav Maga Instructor.
Master Jarell is an AVERT Active Shooter Instructor and Instructor Trainer, an American Red Cross and Health and Safety Institute Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, and an ASP Be Your Own Defender (BYOD) Chemical Agent Instructor, and an ASP Baton, Handcuffing, and Tactical Flashlight Instructor.
Master Jarell has an Associate of Arts (AA) Degree in general education from Los Medanos College and he is continuing his education working on his bachelor's degree in business communications. Furthermore, Master Jarell is a former regional, national, and world champion (NBL) in fighting and forms and the captain of our amazing Demo Team, "Team SSR," which has performed numerous times for the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Discovery Kingdom, and at Great America.
Tiera Calvin, Sales Manager
Simu Tiera Calvin is the manager of our sales department. Tiera graduated from Liberty High School in 2023. Tiera is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in our Conditioned Combat Response System and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo. Tiera is the Assistant Captain of our Demonstration Team and has performed in numerous demos for the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Discovery Kingdom, and at Great America. Tiera is currently working on earning her certification in wedding planning and interior design.
Darius "DJ" Rackley, Firearms INSTRUCTOR
DJ is one of SSRs amazing Firearms Instructors. DJ is currently an officer with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and a veteran of the U.S. Navy where we served as a Navy Corpsman. DJ is also a USCCA Concealed Carry Weapons & Home Defense Firearms Instructor and an ASP Baton, Handcuffing, and Tactical Flashlight Instructor.