Setting the Record Straight on a Targeted Campaign Against Armoured One
In March and April of 2025, Central Current, in partnership with the USA TODAY Network and students from Syracuse University, published two misleading and agenda-driven articles focused almost exclusively on former law enforcement officer Tom Czyz and the company he founded- Armoured One.
While framed as part of a broader “investigation” into police misconduct, it has become clear that these articles about Tom Czyz and Armoured One – and a third, reportedly still to come – are not about police misconduct at all. In fact, despite claiming to investigate law enforcement issues, the reporters have not published a single article on any other police department or officer. Instead, they’ve chosen to focus exclusively on a local business and its founder. This suggests a targeted effort to discredit a company, its leader, and the life-saving work we do. We believe it’s important to respond – not with hostility, but with clarity, transparency, and truth.
1. The 2005 Disciplinary Incident
In 2005, Tom Czyz received a two-week unpaid suspension for appearing in a photo with an arrestee – a white male repeat offender who had attempted to spit blood at officers. With no spit hood available, the individual’s shirt was pulled over his head to prevent contamination. While the photo violated department policy, it was neither abusive nor mocking, and the issue was handled professionally.
Tom accepted full responsibility, served his suspension, and used the experience to begin supporting jail ministry programs – an effort he continues to this day.
To compare this policy violation to the atrocities at Abu Ghraib is both misleading and a disservice to those working with integrity in law enforcement.
2. A Campaign We Were Warned About
We were warned by multiple individuals that an article maligning Tom Czyz and Armoured One was being planned, and that the effort was being led by a terminated former employee and his son’s classmates who work for that media group. Shortly after, in December 2024, that same former employee contacted us directly, confirming what we had been told: a media campaign was underway to retaliate against Tom and the company. It has been confirmed that this individual’s son is a classmate and a possible close friend of the student journalists writing the articles.
Despite being well-compensated during their time at Armoured One, this former employee struggled with chronic underperformance, misappropriation of company funds, and admitted to using drugs during work hours. Out of compassion, we chose not to pursue legal action. After their termination, they filed multiple false complaints – all of which were investigated and found to be without merit.
Since then, Armoured One has grown from 30 to nearly 100 employees. That growth is a testament to the strength of our team, products, culture, and our continued commitment to our mission.
Business owners and leaders know that not all former employees are disgruntled. But some are – especially those who believe the company couldn’t succeed without them. When it does, resentment can fuel false narratives.
If our company were truly unethical, why didn’t these individuals resign and have to be fired? Why were there no documented internal complaints? Why did these allegations surface only after their terminations, most of the time years later?
The answer is simple: these claims are not based in truth, but in resentment.
Our workforce includes law enforcement officers, military veterans, educators, tradespeople, and community leaders – individuals who have consistently demonstrated integrity, discipline, and service. To imply that this entire group is complicit in wrongdoing is not only false, it’s deeply disrespectful to the values they uphold and the work they do every day.
This is what we call the disgruntled employee agenda.
3. Clarifying Our Relationship with Hope Café and Matt Cullipher
We want to address claims regarding our relationship with Matt Cullipher, CEO of Hope Café and The People Project.
Tom Czyz has known Matt for years and holds him in high regard. Matt is a missionary-turned-nonprofit leader who has positively impacted communities locally and abroad, especially in Africa.
Armoured One has proudly donated to Hope Café and its mission, which includes food, shelter, education, and care for vulnerable populations. Months ago, Matt informed Tom that he had overheard someone claiming to be collaborating with Central Current to damage our reputation. He was told we were already aware and had legal counsel involved that Matt could speak to if he wanted.
Hope Café is doing remarkable work. If you’re local, we encourage you to visit, learn more, and support their mission.
How we helped build a school with the help of Hope Cafe and The People Project
4. Our Culture and Faith-Based Values
We anticipate the next article will question our culture and ethics – something several former employees warned us about after being interviewed by Central Current. Here’s the truth:
Armoured One is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturing company. We manufacture life-saving products right here in Syracuse, NY. We meet rigorous standards for employee training, safety, and quality control. This certification is not possible without being a legitimate manufacturer.
We are also a Christian-based company, and we’ve always been transparent about that before hiring staff. We offer optional Bible studies, occasionally play Christian music, and welcome faith-based groups into our building. Participation is entirely voluntary and clearly communicated during hiring.
Our values – faith, community, and compassion – are central to our identity. Disagreement with those values is a right, but it’s not grounds for misrepresentation or defamation.
5. The Truth About Our Christmas Party
It has been suggested that our Christmas party is “out of control, and misconduct happens there.” That is false.
Each year, we host a respectful, professional holiday celebration for our team and their spouses. Guests include attorneys, business leaders, religious figures, and local partners. Some have objected to the use of the word “Christmas” and to Christmas music being played in the building and during the party. That’s their choice, and they don’t have to go to the party – but we make no apologies for celebrating our faith and our mission with pride and integrity.
6. Manufacturing and Training Integrity
Allegations that we are not real manufacturers or that our installers are uncertified are entirely false.
- Armoured One is ISO 9001 certified (This certification is only given to manufacturers).
- Our installers are rigorously trained, tested, and certified.
- Installers who don’t meet standards are removed.
We’ve welcomed the media worldwide, elected federal, state, and local officials, and auditors into our facilities. We are proud of what we make here in America and how we make it.
7. Testing Innovation, UL Oversight, and ASTM F3561
Over a decade ago, we recognized that school shooting scenarios demanded new glass testing standards. Existing protocols didn’t reflect the realities of modern threats.
We helped develop the Shooter Attack Test, which:
- Fires 10 rounds from an AR-15 (5.56)
- Uses a 100-lb battering ram for forced-entry simulation
- Combines hurricane, ballistic, and forced-entry testing models
We co-founded FILTI, a testing lab that used our facility and conducted tests under direct paid observation by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
This Shooter Attack Test would go on to become ASTM Standard F3561, and it proved to be frighteningly predictive. In the 2023 Covenant Presbyterian School shooting in Nashville, the attacker used an AR-15 and fired 10 rounds of 5.56 ammunition into the entry glass – exactly the way our test was designed – to breach their way into the school and commit murder.
The FILTI team had created the ASTM F3561 method before that tragedy occurred. The breach tactic used in Nashville was not just anticipated – it was exactly what this standard was developed to defend against. If the F3561 method had been adopted and mandated across Tennessee schools as intended, there is no doubt that lives could have been saved that day.
Once ASTM officially adopted the standard, FILTI closed, and testing is now done with Intertek – having accomplished its mission: to change the standard so that schools could be better protected from modern active shooter tactics.
8. The NSSPA: Standards Without Influence
Armoured One helped launch the National Safety and Security Protection Association (NSSPA), a nonprofit that established minimum safety standards for schools – similar to fire codes.
Key Facts:
- Fully volunteer-run by numerous subject matter experts
- Hosted free educational events
- Standards adopted by national organizations
Though the NSSPA was later dissolved due to volunteer time constraints, its legacy lives on.
Setting the Record Straight
No organization is perfect. Armoured One has faced challenges, made mistakes, and grown. So has our founder and our current leadership. What matters is how we respond – with humility, honesty, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. God has shown us grace and we do our best to show it to our staff.
This is not an attack on Central Current or its contributors. We respect journalism. But when context is omitted or sources are biased, it’s our duty to respond – with facts. There may be individuals who hold seek vengeance against Armoured One or Tom Czyz due to past employment decisions. Presenting those perspectives on a news platform shifts the focus from objective reporting to personal commentary.
Numerous readers and partners have reached out, concerned by the personal attack they read in the first two articles. We share those concerns, and we offer this response with respect and sincerity.
A Final Word
One of the most offensive accusations made is that Tom Czyz and Armoured One are “getting rich from school shootings.” That is not only false – it is reprehensible.
No one questions when billion-dollar companies profit from school security hardware and doors. No one criticizes trauma surgeons for being paid to save lives.
We are a small business based in one of the poorest regions in America, growing responsibly while helping protect schools across the country. We’ve created jobs, reinvested millions into the local economy, generated significant economic activity, and most importantly – helped save lives. Had Central Current pursued that story, they would have uncovered the powerful national impact of a mission born in a struggling community.
Instead, we were met with speculation and selective storytelling urged by disgruntled, terminated staff.
We will not stop.
We will continue to protect schools.
We will continue to serve communities.
We will continue to grow our business and our team.
And we will stand by the truth.
Given everything questioned and presented so far, we are confident the current and future allegations are unfounded, unsupported by facts, and driven by terminated, disgruntled former employees.
Armoured One LLC
Disclaimer: This statement is offered in good faith based on publicly available information and firsthand knowledge. It is intended to clarify our position and correct the record in response to published media reports. We welcome continued discussion grounded in fairness, accuracy, and a shared commitment to truth.