Northeast Counterdrug Training Center

COURSE DESCRIPTION 14 APR 2016

Northeast Counterdrug Training Center

Course Descriptions

1) BASIC NARCOTICS INVESTIGATOR

This course provides students with an overview of the narcotics investigation process. Topics will include most current constitutional drug law, commonly abused drugs, confidential informants and sources, investigative strategies, undercover operations, marijuana grow operations, clandestine methamphetamine labs, evidence collection and admissibility, searches, children living in dangerous drug environments and liability issues. This course will be accomplished entirely in the classroom. Although the course is complete in itself, attendance is recommended as a primer for those wishing to attend TOP GUN courses. This course is also directed towards the officer with limited or no experience for Narcotics Investigation.

INSTRUCTOR PREQUESTIES- Provide a resume/curriculum vitae (CV), minimum of education of a B.A. (or equivalent) degree from a nationally accredited college/university in the concentration relating to the course of instruction OR a minimum of five (5) years of field service with a law enforcement or relevant organization in the field relating to the course, Minimum of (8) years of field service with a law enforcement agency or course related agency, Minimum of one (1) year of training experience related to the field of instruction.

2) CELL PHONE USE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS

This course is a detailed introduction to how cell phone data can be used by investigators to enhance drug trafficking investigation. Instruction will cover use of historical communication data (records), real-time surveillance options, physical cell phone forensics considerations and solutions that all law enforcement personnel should know. Legal issues about how to obtain and use this data will be covered as well as surveillance operations considerations, company specific considerations, courtroom presentation issues and other related matters. At the end of this course, students will have a very thorough understanding of what is possible with communication data in narcotics investigations, the several primary categories of available data and how to determine the servicing companies for communications devices and accounts.

3) COURTROOM TESTIMONY IN NARCOTICS CASES

This course is designed to improve your skills in testimony, to increase your awareness of the court system processes and guide you to better understand your important role which will increase your ability to be successful. One of the most important tools often overlooked during the training cycle of law enforcement officers throughout their career is how to win in court. Those involved with investigative and enforcement activities should be aware that successful law enforcement initiatives do not end at the conclusion of an investigation, arrest and/or issuance of a traffic citation. In fact, the investigation, arrest or citation is only the beginning stage of many, in what appears to be a never ending legal process. It is only at the end of this entire process that includes and encompasses the totality of the prosecution, defense and trial phase of a case that results in a conclusion for the officers involved.

4) DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Participants in this course learn about domestic terrorist groups, how to recognize indicators relating to domestic terrorism and funding through narco-terrorism. Students explore law enforcement’s roles and responsibilities in combating domestic terrorism. Officer safety issues relating to domestic terrorism are also covered.

5) DRUG CASE PREPERATION AND ANALYSIS

This course is a scientific, investigative tool used to analyze written and/or oral statements taken from a person of “interest”. That person need not be the suspect of criminal activity but alternatively, it works equally well with statements from victims, complainants and/or witnesses since the ultimate goal is to identify the truth. And because there is no initial “one on one” contact with the person it eliminates or holds to minimum biases, prejudices and preconceived judgments that oftentimes affect an investigators judgment. FSA systematically determines the use and omissions of specific words, phrases, content, grammar and other identifiers to determine a truthful, balanced statement. A person’s own words will ultimately and unwittingly betray them as they provide indicators of deception through their hidden clues of: “omissions”, “improper changes in language”, “lack of commitment” as well as identifying close and distant relationships to other person’s, objects and events. These and many other indicators are made obvious and readily identifiable to the trained investigator. In advanced applications, statements can also be converted into numbers whereby they are subjected to a mathematical formula resulting in three numbers to determine a balanced statement. Attendees are further challenged to perform verbal analysis through the viewing of actual videotaped oral interviews to support the effectiveness of FSA. To further reinforce their proficiencies and understanding of these concepts attendees are assigned individual homework.

6) DRUG IDENTIFICATION

The course will educate and supply information regarding the preliminary field identification of illegal and diverted legal drugs, as well as associated paraphernalia to law enforcement personnel. The course should serve as a tool and aid in the identification of drugs, aimed at the reduction of usage an illicit sale. The course provides for definitions of basic drug terminology and the scheduling of drugs based on Controlled Substance ACT (CSA). Information will be provided on the chemical make-up of controlled substances as well as the manner in which they are produced for human consumption. This course of instruction will describe the manner in which the controlled substances are introduced into the human body and physical reactions caused by the use of dangerous controlled substances.

7) DRUG INTERDICTION AND CONDUCTING THE COMPLETE TRAFFIC STOP

This course is designed for veterans and newcomers alike. It focuses on the relationship between traffic enforcement and drug interdiction enforcement. Specific techniques are covered to assist officers in detecting drug trafficking activity. Students will receive extensive instruction in roadside interviews which include hands-on training with vehicles equipped with aftermarket installed false compartments used to conceal drugs, money, and weapons. Students will also participate in mock roadside interviews in an effort to detect deception.

8) FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR COUNTERDRUG STRAGEGIES

This practical grant writing course will provide the participant with the fundamental skills needed to develop financial planning strategies for grant funding for the development of policing strategies and grant programs for the reduction of drugs and substance abuse, drug related crime and violence. The course will provide the tools needed to research, develop, write and submit successful grant proposals. The participant will be presented with the concepts of grant development, the components of a grant, how to research and identify funding sources, and how to develop and submit a complete grant proposal. To gain maximum benefit from this course, all participants must come to the course with a project idea or a specific request for proposal. At the completion of the course each participant will have the tools and knowledge to assist the department in the planning, development and funding of grant related programs and projects.

INSTRUCTOR PREQUESTIES- Provide a resume/curriculum vitae (CV), minimum of education of a B.A. (or equivalent) degree from a nationally accredited college/university in the concentration relating to the course of instruction OR a minimum of five (5) years of field service with a law enforcement or relevant organization in the field relating to the course, Minimum of (8) years of field service with a law enforcement agency or course related agency, Minimum of one (1) year of training experience related to the field of instruction.

9) Detecting Misleading Behavior in Narcotics Investigations

This course focuses on identifying and developing confidence in understanding the various ways and methods persons utilize to deceive police officers. Through practical application, students utilize various methods to develop skills necessary for detecting verbal, nonverbal, and written modes of deception. Through a series of lecture and practical-based programs, students learn to detect deception and avoid common pitfalls. This interactive class is superbly suited for the new investigator or patrol officer. By learning to professionally identify misleading words, phrases, and non-verbal behaviors, the student gains confidence and skill in redirecting a person’s words to obtain a confession. Confidence is further gained when students practice their new-gained skills during actual interrogations in a class setting. The experienced law enforcement instructor uses actual case investigations and scenarios to reinforce the skills necessary to prepare for a successful criminal prosecution. Through this unique interactive class, the officer and investigator learn that being deceptive isn’t easy at all.

10) INDOOR MARIJUANA INVESTIGATIONS

This course is designed to equip investigating officers and support personnel with the training necessary to detect, search and seize, prosecute and testify in indoor marijuana grow cases. Covered in this class will be an in depth study of cannabis horticulture, the equipment required to grow indoors, indoor growing techniques including sensimilla cultivation and carbon dioxide enrichment. Methods to locate and investigate indoor grows will be discussed in depth. Search warrants, thermal imaging, scene search and seizure, and court testimony are also included a number of case studies and investigations will be examined and critiqued.

11) INDOOR MARIJUANA OFFICER SAFETY

This course is designed to teach or recertify investigating officers and support personnel to safely enter and dismantle indoor marijuana grow operations. Class attendees will be provided with an Advanced Indoor Marijuana Grow Training Manual on CD.

12) INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION IN NARCOTIC CASES

This course is designed specifically for law enforcement officers. The focus of this training is to prepare investigators to conduct court preferred methods of interviewing and interrogation techniques. This is accomplished by incorporating non-verbal and behavioral analysis (body language) as well as grammatical clues to support truth and deception.