Undercover Academy
Undercover Drug Investigations
Undercover investigations demand specialized skills and safety protocols that go beyond the standard training provided to most Law Enforcement Officers. This comprehensive training course is designed to guide Officers through every phase of undercover operations, ensuring they are prepared for the unique challenges of this line of work. The instruction covers everything from initiating a relationship with a confidential informant to providing credible testimony in court.
Course Objectives
Participants in this training will develop proficiency in the following areas.
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Managing Confidential Informants:
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Officers will develop the ability to oversee and enhance the productivity of confidential informants, ensuring their cooperation and effectiveness throughout investigations.
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Conducting Safe Undercover Operations:
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The course teaches methods for organizing and executing undercover and controlled drug purchases while prioritizing safety for all participants.
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Maintaining Undercover Identity:
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Strategies are provided for controlling situations without compromising the Officer’s undercover persona.
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Planning Search Warrants and Buy Busts:
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Officers learn to carefully plan and implement search warrants and buy busts while minimizing risks to themselves and others.
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Maximizing Drug Seizures:
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The training includes techniques for leveraging minor arrests to facilitate larger drug seizures, thereby increasing the overall impact of each operation.
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Documenting Undercover Actions:
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Officers are instructed on the proper documentation of their activities in detailed reports, which are essential for both operational integrity and future legal proceedings.
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Effective Courtroom Testimony:
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The course covers the skills required for providing clear and convincing testimony in court, supporting the integrity of the investigation.
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Physical and Mental Well-Being:
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Special attention is given to preserving both the physical and mental health of Officers engaged in undercover work.
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Post-Training Resources
Upon successful completion of the Undercover Drug Investigations class, students receive access to the online Undercover Academy document library. This resource includes all necessary forms and documents, helping Officers efficiently organize and streamline future investigations.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Note taking materials
Add these companion classes for the total undercover training experience.
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Surveillance & Team Tactics
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Undercover Tactical Operations
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Undercover Survival Tactics
Surveillance & Team Tactics
Undercover investigations require the coordinated efforts of a team. The Surveillance and Team Tactics class has been designed specifically to address the critical skills necessary for covert operations in a team setting.
Importance of Trained Surveillance Techniques
Using untrained surveillance methods can create safety risks and lead to the loss of valuable evidence. Effective surveillance is an essential investigative tool that not only aids in gathering evidence but also plays a vital role in the successful prosecution of cases.
Skills Developed in the Course
This class provides officers with the practical skills to surveil, track, and locate suspects without being detected. The training covers a range of competencies, including behind-the-scenes intelligence gathering and covert vehicle surveillance techniques.
Training Components
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Instruction in covert surveillance methods
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Identification of common surveillance mistakes and how to avoid them
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Emphasis on safety considerations during operations
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Strategies to prepare for unforeseen challenges
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Communication skills for vehicle surveillance operations
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Techniques for both static and dynamic vehicle surveillance operations
Practical Application
Students will participate in live vehicle surveillance training scenarios. These exercises provide opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Working collaboratively, students will practice following multiple suspects through a series of challenging scenarios, reinforcing teamwork and tactical skills.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Undercover vehicle or unmarked squad
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Driving exercises will have two Officers per vehicle
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Officers from the same department may share a vehicle
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Your personal vehicle will work, but you will be driving it for exercises
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GPS unit is recommended. Your cell phone will work but you will use data.
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Binoculars (optional)
Undercover Tactical Operations
This training program is designed to provide Law Enforcement Officers with practical experience in the most commonly used tactics by undercover units. Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to select appropriate force options, plan tactical operations, execute them safely, and evaluate risks involved in a variety of scenarios.
Key Tactical Operations Covered
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Buy Busts
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Vehicle Take Downs
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Search Warrants
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Room Clearing
Training Objectives
The primary goal of this training is to equip officers with the skills necessary to conduct tactical operations efficiently and safely. The curriculum emphasizes risk assessment, operational planning, and effective execution of tactics in dynamic environments.
Major Topics Addressed
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Avoiding "Blue on Blue" shootings
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The Undercover Officer's responsibility during the arrest
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Planning for safety and efficiency
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Recognizing risk versus reward
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Arrest team areas of responsibility
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Transitioning from arrest team to investigative team
Practical Exercises
Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to plan and perform numerous tactical maneuvers. These exercises are designed to reinforce the concepts covered, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in realistic scenarios and develop teamwork skills essential for undercover operations.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Empty duty belt or holster
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While not mandatory, if you have specific tactical gear you wear for these type of operations you are encouraged to bring it
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Undercover vehicle or unmarked squad
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Your personal vehicle will work, but you will be driving it for exercises
Undercover Survival Tactics
The survival tactics covered in this class are tailored to address the challenges faced by law enforcement officers working undercover. The curriculum is designed to provide practical skills for defensive and firearms situations, particularly those that may occur in vehicles or other confined spaces.
Defensive Tactics
Students will be trained to understand the critical role that distance plays in tactical decision-making.
The course covers physical countermeasures for situations where an undercover officer may be threatened.
Techniques for weapon retention are emphasized to ensure that officers can maintain control of their firearms in close-quarters encounters.
Gun stripping techniques are practiced to disarm suspects effectively.
The instruction includes suspect stabilization methods specifically for combat within vehicles. Training exercises involve utilizing non-projectile air-soft equipment to safely simulate real-world scenarios.
The "Verbalize-Stall-Act" principle is integrated with physical defense skills, teaching officers how to communicate, delay, and take action as needed during high-risk confrontations.
Firearms Tactics
This firearms training addresses the challenges of utilizing concealed weapons.
Students learn how to draw and fire from various concealed carry positions, adapting to the constraints of undercover work.
The curriculum includes drills for firing from different seating positions, simulating the realities of vehicle-based operations.
Safe re-holstering techniques are highlighted for unconventional carry positions that officers may encounter while working undercover.
The training ensures that officers can safely utilize and secure their firearms in challenging environments.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Undercover handgun and holster
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Body armor
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200 rounds of ammunition
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Eye and hearing protection
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Undercover vehicle or unmarked squad
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Your personal vehicle will work, but you will be using it for exercises
Online Predator Investigations
Online Predator Investigations demand specialized skills that go beyond the training provided to most law enforcement officers. This course is designed to equip officers with comprehensive knowledge and capabilities, guiding them through every step of the investigative process—from creating an undercover online persona to presenting evidence in court.
Course Objectives
Participants in this training will develop proficiency in the following areas.
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Establishing an Undercover Online Profile:
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Officers will learn the methods and considerations involved in creating and maintaining a believable undercover identity to interact with suspects in online environments.
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Identifying Online Predators:
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The course covers techniques for recognizing individuals who pose threats to others online, enabling officers to detect predatory behavior effectively.
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Communication Strategies:
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Officers will be trained to communicate with online predators in a manner that gathers evidence while preserving their undercover status.
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Maintaining Undercover Identity and Controlling Situations:
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The curriculum emphasizes strategies to control investigative scenarios and sustain a convincing undercover role throughout interactions with suspects.
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Risk Management During Suspect Meetings:
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Officers will learn to assess and manage risks when arranging and attending meetings with potential suspects.
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Conducting Surveillance:
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The training includes instruction on effective surveillance techniques to monitor suspects’ activities and gather additional evidence.
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Safety During Search Warrants:
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Participants are taught procedures to enhance safety when serving search warrants related to online predator investigations.
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Utilizing Computerized Evidence:
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Officers will discover how to maximize the benefit of digital evidence collected during investigations.
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Documenting Undercover Actions:
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The course provides guidance on proper documentation of all undercover activities, ensuring accuracy in investigative reports.
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Effective Courtroom Testimony:
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Officers will gain skills for presenting evidence and testifying confidently in court regarding their investigation.
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Physical and Mental Well-Being:
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Strategies are offered to help officers preserve their physical and mental health throughout the investigative process.
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Conforming to ICAC Standards:
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All investigative actions are aligned with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) standards to ensure best practices are followed.
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LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
Add these companion classes for the total Online Predator training experience.
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Surveillance & Team Tactics
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Undercover Tactical Operations
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Note taking materials
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Prior to class students need to have an undercover Gmail account set up. This will be the Gmail account you will use to set up your undercover profile and download apps.
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While not required, a work cell phone dedicated to undercover investigations with administrative rights to download apps.
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If you do not have a dedicated undercover phone, you can create one with an old cell phone reset to factory settings. This phone should be dedicated to undercover work only and never used for personal use.
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While an undercover cell phone is not required to attend the class, having one will allow the student to download investigative apps in class.