Gary J Gione BS Criminal Justice

Shihan Gary Gione, Head Instructor of Elite Defensive Tactics is a firm believer of the importance of Martial Arts and self-defense. He is now a retired Lieutenant after 20 years of service in the NYPD, and has been involved in the Martial Arts for 34 years.

He holds a Rokudan 6th degree black belt in the art of Kenpo Karate as well as the rank of Hachi-Kaidan 8th degree black belt in the art of Ju Jitsu. He is also certifiied in POLICE TACTICS JUJITSU and TAIJIQUAN. He has been inducted into the Kenpo Hall of Fame, Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame, Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Hawaiian Kenpo Hall of Fame. 
My accomplishments include:
Highly Decorated New York City Police Lieutenant, 20 years of Service
Bachelors of Science Degree Criminal Justice- John Jay College of Criminal Justice

- 1st Place 1980 Fighting Division Graduation Day Police Academy
- 1st Place (Gold Medal) 1985 Fighting Division New York State Police Olympics
- 2nd Place(Silver Medal)1987 Fighting Division New York State Police Olympics
- Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate
- 8th Degree Red and White Belt in Ju Jutsu
- 5th Level Kyusho Jitsu- Kyusho International

My training includes:
- Certified Personal Trainer-IFPA
- NYPD- Police Tactics Hand to Hand Training
- NYPD-ASP Baton Training
- NYPD- Organized Crime Control Course Graduate
- NYPD- Drug Detection Graduate
- NYPD/DEA/FBI- (H.I.D.T.A) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Graduate
- NYPD/DEA/FBI- (H.I.D.T.A) Advanced High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Graduate
- NYPD- Criminal Investigation Course Graduate
- NYPD- Surveillance / Counter Surveillance Training
- NYPD- Firearms and Tactics Training- NYPD Rodman’s Neck Facility
- F.B.I-   Warrant Execution Training
- NYPD- Basic Management and Leadership Course Graduate- Sergeant School
- NYPD- Advanced Management and Leadership Course Graduate- Lieutenants School
- NYPD- Disorder Control Training
- NYPD- High Speed Driver Training School Graduate
- George Thompson’s -Verbal Judo Course Graduate

Shihan Gione has appeared on MTV, ABC Sports, Manhattan and Westchester Cable Stations, Independent Films, the YES channel, and many NYPD training films. He has also produced 2 DVD's entitled “The Principles of Kenpo JuJitsu” and "Kyusho Gun Defense." He founded Elite Defensive Tactics 10 years ago based on his 20 years with the NYPD and his vast street experience of personally effecting or supervising over 5,000 arrests.  He has spent over 35 years practicing and teaching the Martial Arts. He has taught NYPD officers, Portchester, New York, Police Department’s  Tactical Instructors, Navy Seals, New York City and Westchester County Correction Officers, and has been a guest instructor at the Rockland County’s Sheriff’s Department.  He has also studied with the top instructors in the world and is always willing to share his expertise with anyone who is willing to train.