Steven R. (Randy) Watt

Steven R. Watt (Randy) is the President of SRW, Inc., (www.srwinc.us), a training and consulting business he started in 2008. SRW, Inc. provides Leadership, Business Development, Safety/Security, and Special Operations training and services to select client organizations. Current clients are Kord, LLC (Australia), ShotDot, LLC (Australia), Akirix, LLC, SIMX Ammunition, LLC, Accushape Armor, Inc., and Ogden City Corporation. Past clients of SRW, Inc. include the Swanson Tactical Training Center, Presidio Group, Northern Wasatch Association of Realtors, OSS Suppressors, LLC, ReadyMan (R.A.T.S.), LLC, Morgan and Weber School Districts, Zions Bank, numerous U.S. military and law enforcement agencies, and other local and national organizations. As a result of his expertise, several new products have entered the marketplace and significantly improved end-user safety and capability, and senior executive leadership at numerous organizations have become more effective in accomplishing their organization’s mission. Randy holds a Master of Strategic Studies Degree from the U.S. Army War College, a MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Police Science Degree from Weber State University, and is a graduate of Session 191 of the F.B.I. National Academy. Randy retired as Chief of Police of the Ogden, Utah, Police Department on January 15th, 2021, after serving for 4 years as Chief. Randy had initially retired from the Ogden Police Department in October of 2011, while serving as an Assistant Chief of Police, after having completed thirty-two years of service in a multitude of assignments and at all levels of supervision and leadership. In January of 2017, Randy was asked by city officials to return as Chief. Chief Watt is a recipient of various medals and commendations, including the department’s Medal of Valor (twice awarded). A long-time member of the Ogden/Metro S.W.A.T. Team, Chief Watt has extensive experience in tactical operations, ranging from high-risk warrant service to hostage rescues. Chief Watt is a nationally recognized expert in the field of law enforcement special operations and counter-terrorism. He has been involved with projects supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). In 2020, Randy received the Department of Justice’s top award for the nation-wide Safe Neighborhoods Project. Under his leadership and strategic planning, the Ogden Police Department reduced serious crime by 21% and violent crime by 17% over a 3-year period, numbers not matched in any other jurisdiction. As a result of his innovative approach to Intelligence-Based Policing, the Ogden Police Department’s Area Tactical Analysis and Real-Time Crime Center (ATAC/RTCC) was profiled twice by the Department of Justice as a model analysis center.
Randy is an expert witness on Law Enforcement use of force and counter-terrorism. He is a regular contributor and speaker on Active Shooter Response for a variety of clients. He is a lead instructor for the National Tactical Officers Association (N.T.O.A.) in a variety of S.W.A.T. Leadership and Terrorism courses, and is a regular presenter at the N.T.O.A. Conference, as well as at various state S.W.A.T. Association conferences and training events. He is the past author of the “On Leadership” column for the N.T.O.A’s Tactical Edge magazine. Prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, then-Lieutenant Watt, was co-chair of the Tactical Response Sub-Committee and spent three years studying terrorism, writing the tactical response plan for protection of the Olympic Games, and conducting security assessments for Olympic venues. Chief Watt has taught hostage rescue tactics and techniques to foreign military and police units and is a consultant to myriad local, state and federal tactical units. He is a Commissioner for the International Academy of Public Safety and is an instructor at Gunsite Academy in Paulden, AZ.
Chief Watt has extensive military experience and retired in September, 2015, as a Colonel in the Utah Army National Guard. His last assignment was to the Joint Forces HQ, UTNG. From June, 2011, to December, 2013, he was the Commander of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), commanding 2200 Special Forces soldiers located across 9 states. A Special Forces and Infantry branched officer with thirty-four years of Active Duty and National Guard Special Forces experience, he is a graduate of numerous Special Operations courses and schools. Randy is a Master Parachutist and Military Free-Fall Parachutist. Leadership schools include the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, Special Forces Qualification Course (Enlisted and Officer) Combined Arms Service and Support School, Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, and the resident U.S. Army War College. COL Watt commanded at all levels of Special Forces units, ODA, Company, Battalion and Group.
Colonel Watt’s combat service includes year-long tours of Afghanistan, 2001-2002, Iraq, 2006-2007, and Iraq again in 2010 through 2011. All assignments were leadership and key staff positions of special operations units. As a result of his service, he received the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, three Bronze Star Medals for meritorious service, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the G.W.O.T. Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three stars, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He was featured in the March, 2003, ABC television special Profiles From the Front Lines, and the August, 2003, issue of Men’s Health magazine. He is the author of “One Warrior’s Creed,” written during the closing days of his 06-07 Iraq tour.