This course is designed to provide the operator, team leader and tactical commander a condensed decision-making model. The model takes Boyd's Cycle OODA Loop and examines how to make a legal, ethical, tactically sound and efficient decision focused on the preservation of life and safety for all concerned. The model is designed to create a synergistic relationship between operators, team leaders and command. The decision-making model transfers from the condensed time frame of the incident to the post-incident investigation, internal affairs investigation, civil and criminal court proceedings to explain and justify actions and decisions under situations which are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. Students will leave this class with the fundamental tools to apply the decision-making model to their team's tactical doctrine.

Steve Mescan is a veteran of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and is currently assigned to the SWAT Team's Tactical Operations Section. The section comprises subject matter experts that assist the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Command Staff personnel with strategic initiatives, planning, and tactical resolution contingencies as they relate to all police operations. Steve is the past president of the Pennsylvania Tactical Officers Association and currently serves on the NTOA Board of Directors. He is an instructor for the NTOA and co-authored the NTOA Team Leader Development Program. He has instructed numerous state tactical associations and has consulted as an expert to area SWAT Teams concerning SWAT operations. In 2009, he was part of a subject matter expert team that developed the tactical strategic plan for the G-20 Summit held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.