Undercover Academy
Police Applicant Background Investigations
PACE Background Investigations give your agency:
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Standardized Procedures
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Standardized Interviews
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Standardized Reports
The Police Applicant Background Investigation is the most important part of the new hire procedure. Applicants can pass physical tests and oral interviews with practice and preparation; however, the background investigation reveals an applicant’s true nature.
The background investigation process must be both thorough and standardized. Using the PACE investigation method, students learn a repeatable, comprehensive and standardized vetting process to help your agency select the best candidates.
Upon completion of the course, students are given access to the PACE Police Training online document library. This includes forms they can use to organize and streamline their background investigations.
PACE forms will help your agency develop complete and standardized documentation for each applicant and provide your hiring team with a thorough assessment of applicants’ strengths, weaknesses and character.
TOPICS COVERED:
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Creating a standardized process
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Release forms
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Sources of information
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Investigative and interview techniques
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Financial history analysis
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Online searches
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Social media examinations
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Necessary reference checks
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Applicant interview questionnaires
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Military service
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College verification
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ADA and hiring Police Officers
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Producing a clear and concise report
LENGTH OF CLASS: 8 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Note taking materials
Surveillance Techniques for Police
Surveillance is a Vital Skill. The use of untrained surveillance techniques leads to safety risks as well as loss of evidence. Surveillance is a valuable tool to incorporate into investigations that will aid in gathering evidence and successfully prosecuting cases.
Class Description: The PACE Surveillance Techniques class gives officers skills to surveil, track and locate suspects while remaining undetected.
This training teaches behind-the-scenes intelligence gathering, covert surveillance techniques, surveillance mistakes to avoid, safety considerations, and how to plan for the unexpected.
Students will participate in classroom instruction as well as live, on the road training scenarios to practice techniques learned in the classroom.
The PACE Surveillance Techniques class is based on the popular Undercover Academy "Surveillance and Team Tactics" class. Instruction has been modified to meet the needs of uniform and plainclothes officers.
Who Should Attend This Training? All law enforcement personnel that may need to perform surveillance such as patrol officers, detectives, task force officers, warrant officers, etc.
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
Basic Police Photography
This hands-on course is designed for police personnel tasked with photographing crime scenes and physical evidence. Attendees will be
taught skills to properly document a variety of crime scenes.
This class is focused on those with little to no experience using a camera or knowledge in photography. It would also serve as a review for those that have a fundamental understanding of manual functions,
shutter speeds and f-stops.
For students who want both photography and evidence collection training, please see the Basic Crime Scene Evidence Processing course.
TOPICS COVERED:
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How to maximize camera functions
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Procedures for photographing in different lighting conditions
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A variety of painting with light techniques
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How to use external flash
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Techniques for both 2D and 3D footwear impressions
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Implementation of scale to properly document evidence
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How to photograph fingerprints on various surfaces
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Best practices for photographing crime scenes and evidence
LENGTH OF CLASS: 16 hours
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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DSLR or mirrorless camera
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Blank camera card
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Tripod
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External flash
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Off-camera flash cord
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Flashlight
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Macro lens
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Cable release or manufacturer app on phone that can connect to camera
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Camera manual (if lost most manuals can be found on manufacturers’ websites)
INSTRUCTOR:
James Armstrong is a Senior Forensic Imaging Specialist with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab (WSCL) and member of the Crime Scene Response Team. James has also worked in commercial photography both as an in-house photographer and freelancer. James received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Basic Crime Scene Evidence Processing
This hands-on course combines the popular Basic Police Photography class with additional training in evidence collection at crime scenes.
The class is designed for police personnel tasked with photographing and collecting physical evidence at crime scenes. The class is geared toward those with little to no experience using a camera or collecting evidence. Students will use newly learned skills to process and document a variety of simulated crime scenes.
In this course, students will learn:
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How to maximize camera functions
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Procedures for photographing in different lighting conditions
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How to use external flash properly
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Techniques for both 2D and 3D footwear impressions
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Implementation of scale to properly document evidence
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How to photograph fingerprints on various surfaces
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How to dust and lift fingerprints
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Proper collection of biological evidence
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Best practices for collecting physical evidence
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Packaging techniques to preserve evidence
LENGTH OF CLASS: 24 hours
PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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DSLR or mirrorless camera
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Blank camera card
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Tripod
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External flash
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Off-camera flash cord
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Flashlight
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Macro lens
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Cable release or manufacturer app on phone that can connect to camera
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Camera manual (if lost most manuals can be found on manufacturers’ websites)
EVIDENCE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
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Black permanent marker
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Evidence tape
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Utility knife
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Magnifying glass
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Envelopes (paper and glassine)
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Crime scene scale and tape measure
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Rubber gloves
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Distilled water
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A variety of evidence collection bags
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Sterile cotton collection swabs with swab boxes
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Fingerprint collection kit (brush, powder, lifting tape, fingerprint cards)
Bundle All Four Undercover Drug Classes and Save 10%
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$716 for all four classes
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March 12, 2026: Undercover Drug Investigations
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March 13, 2026: Surveillance & Team Tactics
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March 18, 2026: Undercover Tactical Operations
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March 19, 2026: Undercover Surveillance Tactics
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8:00am to 4:30pm
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Hosted by the Waukesha Police Department
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1901 Delafield St., Waukesha, WI
