NEXT WATCH TRAINING GROUP
KEITH BARKER
Founder and CEO
As Founder and CEO of Next Watch Training Group, Keith Barker brings decades of real-world experience in law enforcement, training development, risk assessment, crowd management, and emergency preparedness. His leadership is grounded in discipline, professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to delivering practical training that helps organizations reduce risk, improve readiness, and respond with confidence when it matters most.
MORE THAN TWO DECADES IN COMMAND ROLES
ESTABLISHING CULTURES OF SAFETY
Keith Barker is the Founder and CEO of Next Watch Training Group, LLC, where he helps churches and organizations build safer, more prepared environments without compromising their mission.
With over 20 years of law enforcement experience in the Columbus Division of Police, Keith has served in key leadership roles, including Patrol Sergeant, Field Training Sergeant, and Recruit Training Sergeant—training and mentoring the next generation of officers.
He is an Adjunct Professor at Franklin University and holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Ohio Dominican University. As an OPOTA-certified instructor and CRASE trainer, Keith delivers practical, real-world training that organizations can immediately apply.
Through Next Watch, Keith equips organizations to enhance safety, strengthen preparedness, and protect people while preserving their mission and values.
SERVING AND PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
MISSION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AREAS
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Keith excels at directing complex field operations and leading high-performance safety teams through dynamic and high-pressure situations.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Keith identifies critical physical and digital vulnerabilities to build comprehensive defense frameworks for corporate and non-profit clients.
CREDENTIALS
Keith brings decades of experience in law enforcement, recruit training, field training, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and scenario-based instruction. His credentials include service as a police sergeant, OPOTC Basic Training Instructor, CRASE Instructor, U.S. Army veteran, adjunct professor, and a master’s degree in criminal justice.
EVENT PROTECTION
He implements scalable safety protocols for large-scale public gatherings to ensure seamless attendee security and emergency flow.
TRAINING DESIGN
He creates immersive, scenario-based learning modules that bridge the gap between theoretical safety and real-world field application.
RAPID INTERCEDE
He provides expert guidance on first-response tactics and emergency communication during life-safety events and active threats.