About ARC Tactical
ARC Tactical is a corrections-focused training, consulting, and expert-witness company committed to preparing officers and agencies for the realities of correctional environments. Founded in 2016, ARC Tactical provides instruction in use of force, defensive tactics, dynamic cell extraction, prisoner transport, court operations, emergency response, de-escalation, team tactics, restraint systems, and instructor development.
ARC Tactical is active throughout the United States and internationally, having trained professionals from more than 300 agencies across 44 states and four countries.
What sets us apart is our exclusive focus on corrections. Our programs address the unique legal, operational, and human challenges faced by jail and prison professionals. Every course combines current legal standards, proven tactics, realistic scenarios, and practical decision-making so students understand how, when, and why to apply their skills.
Our instructors bring decades of frontline, supervisory, academy, and instructor-level experience into every classroom. Because no two agencies operate exactly alike, our training can be adapted to each facility’s policies, staffing, equipment, and mission.
We believe effective training must be realistic, repeatable, defensible, and immediately applicable. ARC Tactical develops confident officers, capable instructors, stronger teams, and safer correctional organizations prepared to perform under pressure when the stakes are highest for staff and inmates alike.
Meet the Cadre!
Tim Fasnacht
Tim Fasnacht is a corrections leader, instructor, consultant, and court-recognized expert with over twenty years of law enforcement experience. He serves as Owner and Executive Director of ARC Tactical and Director of Training for Safe Restraints Inc., delivering corrections-focused instruction throughout the United States and internationally. Tim previously served as a corrections academy commander, corrections sergeant, correctional officer, Field Training Officer, detention programs coordinator, and reserve police officer. He has provided more than 3,500 hours of instruction and developed corrections academy curriculum. His specialties include use of force, defensive tactics, firearms, de-escalation, cell extraction, emergency response, prisoner transport, court security, restraint systems, and instructor development. Tim is a Master Defensive Tactics Instructor, Master WRAP Instructor, firearms instructor, Taser instructor, CERT instructor, Blue Courage instructor, and ABLE instructor. He also provides expert analysis and testimony in correctional use-of-force litigation and has consulted for government agencies, correctional organizations, schools, churches, hospitals, and law enforcement partners.
Robert Ellsworth
Director of Training
Robert Ellsworth is a corrections professional with 23 years of criminal justice experience and a commitment to training, service, and professional development. Their career includes service as a corrections deputy, warrant officer, Field Training Officer, Critical Response Team leader, court transport coordinator, and lead defensive tactics instructor. They possess extensive instructor training in defensive tactics, firearms, Taser, patrol tactics, use of force, ground survival, weapon retention, impact weapons, crisis intervention, tactical medicine, and high-risk transportation. Their teaching approach combines current law, practical experience, and proven training methods to develop confident, capable professionals who can perform safely and effectively under pressure.
Tim Higgins II
Director of Operations - West
Tim Higgins is a professional corrections instructor with more than two decades of experience in maximum-security operations, emergency response, staff supervision, development, and use-of-force training. His career includes service as a correctional officer, correctional deputy, corporal, sergeant, assistant shift commander, Field Training Officer, CERT squad leader, Master Operator, and defensive tactics instructor. Tim holds instructor certifications in defensive and arrest-control tactics, use of force, cell extraction, room and building clearing, mob and crowd control, firearms, Taser, OC aerosol projectors, the SPEAR System, and scenario grading. He delivers practical, experience-based instruction focused on officer safety, leadership, sound decision-making, and professional accountability.
Joshua Ryle
Director of Operations - East
Josh Ryle is a corrections professional and instructor with more than two decades of experience in correctional operations, emergency response, court security, inmate transportation, staff development, and use-of-force training. He serves as a Training Division Sergeant, developing and delivering instruction for correctional personnel. His career includes assignments as a correctional officer, jail deputy, Field Training Officer, chemical agents instructor, Jail Operations corporal, and Courts Complex deputy. His instructor credentials include defensive tactics, C.O.R.-Tactics, chemical agents, less-lethal munitions, firearms, Taser, CPR, restraint systems, de-escalation, and correctional emergency response tactics. He delivers realistic, practical training grounded in accountability and officer safety.
Gary DeBeeld
Director of Emergency Medical
Gary DeBeeld is a corrections professional, firefighter, EMT, and medical instructor dedicated to helping others develop lifesaving skills. He began his career in 2000 and became a volunteer firefighter and EMT in 2006. Gary has served as a lead corrections medical instructor since 2007, teaching first aid, CPR, AED, and tactical medical response. He is a certified instructor through the American Red Cross and American Heart Association and earned federal Tac-Med Instructor certification in 2018. Gary co-founded Trifecta Training & Consulting, combining self-defense, firearms, and first aid instruction for law enforcement personnel, businesses, professionals, and civilians committed to protecting lives.