Our DNA
In 2020, we began NW Precision Training with a simple mission: To equip the people who paid for our training—the taxpayers—with current, relevant, police firearms tactics to save their own lives. We believe the investment of training the taxpayers have provided for us should not die with us, but rather, be offered to the people that deserve it the most. You. Due to the uncertain times we live in, new gun ownership has risen unprecedentedly in the past few years. With the heavy responsibility of gun ownership is the responsibility of obtaining real firearms training from people whose lives depend on it every day. The training that you receive from us is not simply someone’s “theory” as to how training should be, but real, practical training that keeps our police alive every day. In short, if you’re not being trained by the people who rely on this training to return to their families at the end of each day, you’re not receiving the best, most relevant training available. We train for a warriorship mindset and live by the motto: When we’re not training law enforcement, we’re training you.
Meet the Pros
SHAWN TROTTER
Owner/ Instructor
Shawn Trotter is a native Oregonian and a father of 5 daughters. He is an active-duty police detective in the Eugene Police Department, where he has served as a firearms instructor since 2006. He has the honor of serving alongside and being trained by some of the best firearms instructors in law enforcement. Within his law enforcement career, he found value in equipping people with truth and knowledge to give them the skills needed to improve their lives by taking charge of their own safety. He views the world through the lens of self-reliance when true change through violence of action is called for. He is a principally driven man who believes in the concept that a society equipped with the knowledge of appropriate action is, in turn, a polite society.
Scott Thomas
Lead Instructor
Scott enlisted in the US Navy straight out of Pleasant Hill High School, undergoing rigorous training at Naval Nuclear Power School before serving aboard the USS Tunny, SSN682, for three years. After instructing at the Naval Nuclear Power School for four years, he transitioned to a civilian nuclear plant for four years. Encouraged by a neighbor who was a respected Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant, Scott pursued a career in law enforcement, joining the Eugene Police Department. During his seven years as a Patrol Officer, he also served as a Field Training Officer and Fatal Accident Investigator. Scott later became an Auto Theft Detective and competed in local shooting events while serving in detectives. Promoted to Sergeant, he managed EPD’s training division and served as the Range Master, overseeing firearms training for multiple agencies at Short Mountain Range. After retiring from EPD, Scott joined the national Insurance Crime Bureau as a Special Agent, focusing on organized crime and fraud investigations. He remains active in firearms shooting sports, including IDPA competitions, and has been an NW Precision Training Lead Instructor since 2021.
Melinda McLaughlin
Instructor
Melinda has a 30-year background in personal protection spanning more than seven disciplines and including multiple weapons platforms. She served as a sworn deputy for more than 11 years on Lane County Sheriff’s Office patrol as a reserve, retiring in 2021. She is a former world-ranked motorsports racer and national magazine columnist. Melinda has 39 years of media and accredited public relations experience under her belt. Currently Melinda is Eugene Police Department’s public information director, where she has worked since 2006. She previously was the sole public information officer for Lane County and Benton County governments. With a background in broadcast journalism, Melinda has worked news media, public relations, advertising, intergovernmental relations, crisis communications, emergency communications, social media, professional sports, digital production, fundraising, and market research. Her career spans business, media, not-for-profits, professional sports, PR agency work, and government service. Melinda is a graduate of Ministry Training Institute. Melinda attended the University of Oregon’s Robert D. Clark Honors College, and graduated from the UO with a B.A. in Journalism in 1984. She was named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and Springfield-Twin Rivers Rotarian of the Year 1998-1999.