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The Board of Directors at No Belt Required is dedicated to empowering law enforcement and first responders through the transformative benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts. Committed to fostering resilience, discipline, and confidence, our leadership team works tirelessly to support those who serve and protect our communities. With a shared passion for service and martial arts, the Board ensures the organization’s mission is upheld: equipping first responders with the tools they need to thrive both on and off duty.

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Benefits of No Belt Required

Empowering Law Enforcement & First Responders Through Continued Defensive Tactic Training with The NBR Community

Mental Health

No Belt Required is committed to supporting first responders in their well-being journey. Our program provides a dedicated space for decompression and mental wellness, fostering a community where officers can share experiences and access resources to navigate the unique challenges.

Confidence

No Belt Required focuses on building your confidence through hands-on training in defensive tactics and de-escalation techniques. By seamlessly incorporating these practices into our programs, we ensure that you not only acquire valuable skills but also gain the confidence to apply them effectively.

Community

At No Belt Required, we foster a community of motivated officers and staff committed to self-improvement and community betterment. Our programs offer opportunities to engage in team building, problem-solving, and networking, allowing you to collaborate with individuals from diverse departments.

Training Officers and Agents From...

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Join The NBR Community

Elevate safety for officers and citizens alike! Join No Belt Required now to boost your skills through repetitive defensive tactics for effective de-escalation. Take action and enhance safety together!

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Copyright © 2024 No Belt Required. All Rights Reserved.

Mike Pelton
Board Member

Michael Pelton started his martial arts background prior to becoming a Police Officer. He wrestled all four years in high school and during the off season also took judo classes. After graduating high school he became an assistant High School Wrestling Coach for two years where he attended coaching clinics, some including olympic gold medalist Dan Gable. These clinics helped him to become a better teacher, instructor, and coach.

In 2002 Mike started his law enforcement career and has since served on two law enforcement agencies during his 19 year career giving him the perspective and knowledge of multiple agencies. He began with the Sheriff’s Department in 2002 where he served as a patrol Deputy in both the San Xavier and Green Valley districts. In 2005 he lateraled to the Tucson Police Department. During his career with TPD he served as a patrol officer in Team 4, bike patrol in Teams 2 and 4, and what is formerly known as Downtown Division. While in bikes he was involved in graffiti detail and worked with the violent crime task force in Team 4. He was one of the founding officers for the Downtown District. He served as a class counselor at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement training center and now is currently working there as a class officer helping to prepare recruits to graduate from the academy.

During his time with TPD he has been a Field Training Officer, General Instructor, Driving Instructor, and has had extensive experience at the academy. During his career he has been selected as recipient of the Southern Arizona First Responders Life Saving Award, TPD Life Saving Award, Unit Medal, and the Citation of Excellence Award.

Officer Pelton continued his journey into martial arts by extending his skill set into jiu-jitsu, getting to the level of purple belt and continuing to hone his skills by regularly participating in martial arts classes. The repetitive training during these classes are the reason why throughout his career he was able to use minimal force to take suspects into custody in many situations. As he nears the end of his career as a police officer, he wants to give back to officers and community members by helping to keep them safe through the NBR program which was designed to accomplish this exact mission.

Josh Beren
Board Member

Josh Beren was born and raised in Tucson, AZ where he grew up, went to high school, and lived until attending the University of California at Berkeley. He currently splits time between Arizona and California where he’s attending Antioch University Los Angeles’ Masters in Clinical Psychology program with an emphasis on Trauma studies.

Josh began his martial arts education as a child in Tucson where he took Kenpo Karate for 2 years before transitioning to Judo. In Tucson, he trained with ex U.S. Olympic alternate Steve Owen until he moved to California for college where Josh captained the Cal Berkeley Judo team and continued his training with, and earned his black belt from, ex U.S. Olympic coach Willy Cahill.

Josh is now a Niddan (second degree black belt) with over 23 years of Judo experience, training with and learning from the best people he could find. UFC Champions, Olympians, World Sambo Champions, Jiu-Jitsu World Champions, Navy Seals, Military Special Operators, Secret Service, Police, SWAT, Sheriff’s, and more. Josh has also taught and coached Judo at almost every level, from young kids to college students, from teaching adults to coaching at the World Masters. Josh is always learning and, in addition to Judo, he has started Brazilian jiu-jitsu and currently holds a blue belt. He currently trains at least once a week as a way of maintaining and growing his skill set as well as engaging in physical and mental self care.

Josh is the first to admit there are a lot of people more skilled and knowledgeable than he is when it comes to martial arts, but the reality is that most of those people are busy competing and running businesses. That leaves a gap when it comes to qualified individuals setting up vital community based programs. Josh hopes to give back the invaluable lessons and knowledge the martial arts, and the martial arts community, have given to him.

Josh has trained in rooms filled with first responders his whole life. First responders taught him how to defend himself and how to protect others. Now it is Josh’s turn to pay that knowledge and effort forward. The creation of the No Belt Required program and its mission of making communities safer for first responders and community members through continued martial arts education is something he is passionate about and truly honored to be a part of.

Brendon Brumitt
Board Member

Brendon Brumitt has been an avid martial artist since the age of 6 years old. His journey began with Taekwondo and Karate classes provided at the YWCA/YMCA after school program. In his teenage years, he ventured out to Japanese Jujutsu and continued to train Karate as time permitted. Upon joining the military, he continued his Jujutsu training in Japan and eventually obtained his 5th degree black belt. Upon completion of his time in the military, he returned to the US and opened his own Japanese Jujutsu training group and continued to teach and train. In 2005, he returned to Japan and began competing in Judo and training in mixed martial arts. During that time, he competed in MMA, Judo and Combat Submission Wrestling. He returned to the US again in 2014 and began training in Judo and eventually transitioned to Brazilian Jujutsu.

He joined the Navy in 1996 and was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan from 1997 to 2000. Once he was discharged, he began college and was eventually hired by the Tucson Police Department in 2001. He was assigned to Midtown Patrol and worked midnights. During his time on midnights, Brendon spent much of his time taking part in and assisting in narcotics and violent gang investigations. Brendon resigned his commission in 2005 and returned to Japan with his wife. There, he worked as a teacher and taught English and assisted with P.E. and other subjects. In 2014, his family decided to return to the US and he was rehired by the Tucson Police Department and spent the first few years in patrol. Since that time, he has been assigned as a field trainer, lead police officers and a zebra officer working in felony apprehension. In 2016, Brendon became an AZPOST general instructor and eventually became an instructor for high risk stops, defensive tactics and physical training. In 2018, Brendon was promoted to detective and in 2019 he was transferred to the Gang Investigative Unit. He is still an avid DT,PT and high risk stop instructor for the department for both the basic academy and advanced officer training.

During his time as a police officer, Brendon has been in numerous critical incidents and has frequently needed to use force. He attributes his mental resiliency and physical preparedness to constant involvement in martial arts training. It has guided his mindset, physical conditioning and outlook on situations as a police officer. In 2018, Brendon was in a use of force incident with a subject armed with a butcher knife at close quarters and was able to neutralize him without using weapons and was able to come out of the incident unharmed. He attributes that to his extensive martial arts training for physical and mental preparedness. Brendon is motivated to provide an environment for officers to gain a similar level of competence and confidence in their physical skills to help them survive their careers physically whole. He also believes that the repeated conflict rehearsal that regular martial arts training provides will allow officers to maintain their mental health through stress inoculation in a controlled environment. Brendon is eager to help build the No Belt Required program as the head coach in charge of training and curriculum to help officers remain whole throughout their career and to help provide professional and resilient officers to the public of Tucson.

Tim Beithon
Board Member

Tim started Jiu Jitsu in 2015 and has competed in nationwide tournaments multiple times at every belt level and has competed in several local super fights.

Tim’s favorite past time is traveling and while traveling he enjoys training Jiu Jitsu at different schools and taking privates lessons from some of the highest level instructors in the sport. Tim has trained in New Zealand, China, France, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Holland and Japan, as well as countless gyms around the United States.

Jiu Jitsu is not only a hobby and past time but a passion to pass along the knowledge he has gained to others.

Tim joined NBR because I believe that it is quintessential that LEO’s and First Responders know a form of combative to stay safe while they are serving the community. Tim loves the idea of teaching Jiu Jitsu specifically in order to help his community.

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Repetitive defensive training and regular stress inoculation are key components of professional policing and modern de-escalation training.

Scientific research has shown that it takes around 10,000 repetitions for a new movement, or skill, to become muscle memory — to become a true part of an individual’s skill set.

The program’s mission is to provide expert repetitive defensive tactics training to incorporate proven de-escalation tactics and habits into active duty police officers.

No Belt Required will track your progress with every single move and every single class on your journey toward 10,000 repetitions and 10,000 hours.

Dr. Jessica Huff
Board Member

Dr. Jessica Huff serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati, where her expertise bridges academia and law enforcement practice. As a National Institute of Justice Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (NIJ LEADS) Academic, she collaborates with police agencies across the United States to assess and enhance training programs, implement violence reduction strategies, and evaluate emerging technologies. Her work embodies a commitment to using data-driven solutions to improve public safety and law enforcement effectiveness.

Among her many contributions to the field, Dr. Huff co-authored the groundbreaking, peer-reviewed study that was the first to demonstrate the positive impact of martial arts training for police officers. The study revealed that such training not only reduces the use of force in the field but also decreases the likelihood of injuries for both officers and civilians. This research underscores her dedication to fostering safer and more effective policing through innovative and evidence-based approaches.

Jennifer McMahon
Board Member

I am a passionate advocate for No Belt Required (NBR), emphasizing its critical role in saving lives—not just for First Responders but as a vital step in building public trust and fostering greater awareness. By equipping individuals with lifesaving skills and promoting accountability, NBR strengthens the bonds between communities and those sworn to protect them. This work is about more than skills; it’s about promoting unity, encouraging collaboration, and advancing a culture of collective safety. Together, we can empower individuals, enhance community resilience, and pave the way for stronger, safer communities.

As a Senior Advertising Executive with over 20 years of experience in the television and digital media industry, I have built a career at the intersection of strategy and creativity. My professional journey has been shaped by leadership roles and a commitment to service, including board memberships, most recently alongside Past Emeritus SAACA. Outside of my work, I am a dedicated parent to two teenagers who keep me on my toes with their high school activities and club sports. These experiences have further fueled my passion for fostering meaningful connections and advocating for initiatives like NBR that inspire positive change in our communities.

Roxanna Rivera-Pelton
Board Member

My name is Roxanna Rivera-Pelton, and I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Arizona’s College of Education, where I serve as an instructor and site coordinator. I teach undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Elementary Education, combining my passion for teaching with a commitment to shaping the next generation of educators. My dedication to education extends beyond the classroom, fueling my belief in the importance of training first responders in skillsets that not only protect them but also enhance community safety.

The No Belt Required program holds a special place in my heart. As the wife of a retired police officer and the daughter of a former sheriff’s deputy, I have seen firsthand how critical these skills can be. Martial arts played a pivotal role in saving my husband’s life during a dangerous encounter on duty. His ingrained training enabled him to protect himself, avoid the use of deadly force, and most importantly, come home safely to his family—a gift we will always cherish. This program has already made a profound difference in the lives of first responders, their families, and their communities, and I am honored to contribute to its continued impact.

Everardo “Reuben” Nunez
Board Member

Everardo “Reuben” Nunez, retired Marana Police Chief, is embracing life as a civilian after dedicating 40 years to law enforcement. Throughout his distinguished career, he remained committed to enhancing officer safety and community trust, a passion that continues to guide him in retirement. His extensive experience and leadership have made him a strong advocate for programs that prioritize both officer well-being and public safety.

As a proud supporter of No Belt Required (NBR), Reuben played a pivotal role in bringing the program to the Marana Police Department, making it one of the first agencies to adopt this innovative training initiative. He witnessed firsthand the positive impact NBR had on his officers and the community they served. Now, as he enjoys retirement, Reuben continues to champion the program and its mission to equip first responders with the tools they need to stay safe while fostering stronger relationships with the communities they protect.

Dale Funk
Board Member

Dale Funk is a former police officer turned tech nerd with a knack for solving everyday problems through innovation. He’s the driving force behind multiple tech startups—ranging from a web design agency and a digital business card SaaS to a real estate prop tech venture. Outside the tech world, Dale has devoted over 15 years to training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other various martial arts, proving that discipline and perseverance are at the core of everything he does.

Dale strongly believes in No Belt Required’s mission and is passionate about everything it has to offer—from building a supportive community to empowering individuals through martial arts. Whether on the mats or behind the scenes, he’s committed to helping others discover the transformative power of discipline, resilience, and self-improvement.

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