| 2026 Law Enforcement Operations Conference and Trade Show |
| 1400 1800 |  | Attendee Registration SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Student check-in will occur in the Ryman Exhibition Hall 3-6 foyer on Saturday, August 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| 0900 1100 | | Incident Debrief: Canfield Mountain Active Shooter Incident SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Austin, Brent | Brock, Arek On June 29, 2025, multiple fire agencies responded to a woodland fire on the west side of Canfield Mountain, just east of the City of Coeur d'Alene, ID. While working the fire, an armed assailant ambushed three of the firefighters, killing two and gravely wounding the third. Active shooter calls went out from the firefighters onscene, triggering a large law enforcement response from Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County agencies as well as nearby Spokane, WA law enforcement agencies. Initial responding officers were met with gun fire from the suspect who had taken an elevated position in the tree line. An officer involved shooting occurred and the injured firefighter was evacuated. for the next 4 hours, multiple tactical teams worked on the recovery of the deceased fire officers as well as tactics to locate and arrest the suspect. Through the use of technology, the suspect was located deceased in the forest from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. | 1000 1800 | | Attendee Registration SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 7 hours - Instructor: Student check-in will occur in the Ryman Exhibition Hall 3-6 foyer on Saturday, August 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 1100 1700 | | Trade Show SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 6 hours - Instructor: Manufacturers and providers of equipment, products, and services used by police, fire, EMS, and other first responders are on hand to demonstrate products, provide information, and answer questions. Products such as apparel, firearms, body armor, rescue vehicles, footwear, technology and robotics, and thousands of other items will be available for viewing and handling. | 1300 1415 | | Mirrors & Misconceptions: Special Operations Culture in Modern Policing SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 1 hour - Instructor: Jolly, Taylor An engaging, presenter-led discussion examining the growing influence of Special Operations culture within modern law enforcement. This session challenges common assumptions, explores where practices align and where they diverge, and addresses the operational risks of misapplied tactics. Through interactive dialogue and real-world comparisons, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of mission context, training frameworks, and decision-making, creating awareness and filtering concepts and tactics. | 1430 1630 | | Redefining Reasonableness: US Supreme Court Guidance on Use-of Force Analysis SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Daigle, Eric A 2025 review by the United States Supreme Court has renewed national debate over the moment-of-threat doctrine and its role in use-of-force analysis. Traditionally applied to limit judicial review to the officer's perspective at the precise instant force is used, this doctrine excludes consideration of pre-threat conduct and tactical decision-making. This session examines the Court's evolving guidance on whether reasonableness must instead be evaluated under a broader totality of the circumstances framework. Attendees will explore how pre-threat indicators, officer jeopardy assessments, and tactical choices may factor into constitutional analysis, with direct implications for training, supervision, policy development, and post-incident review. The program translates emerging legal standards into practical guidance for real-world policing. | 1900 2100 | | Incident Debrief: Warrant Service Barricade and OIS with Sniper Resolution SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Embry, Alex In April 2025, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office SWAT team responded to assist patrol with a check for well-being and warrant service that resulted in shots fired at patrol officers from a residential structure. This prompted a full-team activation and necessitated efforts to rescue a patrol officer pinned down in an unsafe position. Although layered planning was applied to the problem and several avenues for resolution were sought, the incident ended with sniper interdiction and other officers engaging the suspect. |
| 0800 1700 | | School and Workplace Violence: Preparation & Response FULL SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: Francis, Richard | Martin, Kelly ***Must pre-register for this course. This course is limited to 24 students. | 0830 1000 | | Opening Ceremony SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: The Opening Ceremony will include a presentation of colors, the NTOA Annual Awards Ceremony, the Hall of Honor Ceremony, and a keynote presentation. | 1000 1700 | | Trade Show SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 6 hours - Instructor: Manufacturers and providers of equipment, products, and services used by police, fire, EMS, and other first responders are on hand to demonstrate products, provide information, and answer questions. Products such as apparel, firearms, body armor, rescue vehicles, footwear, technology and robotics, and thousands of other items will be available for viewing and handling. | 1100 1200 | | Business Meeting SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 1 hour - Instructor: This presentation is conducted by the NTOA Board of Directors and provides an annual update on the status of the NTOA. Anyone is welcome to attend. | 1230 1430 | | Redefining Reasonableness: US Supreme Court Guidance on Use-of Force Analysis FULL SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Daigle, Eric A 2025 review by the United States Supreme Court has renewed national debate over the moment-of-threat doctrine and its role in use-of-force analysis. Traditionally applied to limit judicial review to the officer's perspective at the precise instant force is used, this doctrine excludes consideration of pre-threat conduct and tactical decision-making. This session examines the Court's evolving guidance on whether reasonableness must instead be evaluated under a broader totality of the circumstances framework. Attendees will explore how pre-threat indicators, officer jeopardy assessments, and tactical choices may factor into constitutional analysis, with direct implications for training, supervision, policy development, and post-incident review. The program translates emerging legal standards into practical guidance for real-world policing. | 1500 1615 | | Own the Error, Lead the Fix: Tactical Leadership That Evolves SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 1 hour - Instructor: King, Brian This session challenges tactical leaders to confront a critical reality: mistakes that go unaddressed will be repeated, and repetition in high-risk environments carries real consequences. Focusing on accountability, adaptation, and continuous improvement, this one-hour presentation explores how leaders at every level can identify recurring errors, conduct honest and productive after-action reviews, and implement meaningful corrections that improve team performance. Attendees will learn how to foster a culture where mistakes are acknowledged without hesitation; feedback is expected, and lessons learned are turned into tangible changes in training, planning, and execution. The emphasis is clear: leaders who own errors and actively lead the fix create teams that evolve, while those who ignore them accept unnecessary risk. | 1830 2130 | | Welcome Reception SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 3 hours - Instructor: Kick Off the NTOA Conference in Style! |
| 0800 0945 | | Advanced Firearms Training/Rangemaster Certifications for Tactical Rope Operations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Cartaya, Eduardo Tactical rope operations are a nano-niche and frequently undertrained skill. The firearms component of such operations, as used to cover entries and exits from suspended positions, is an even less formalized skill, often with clouds of confusion, litigation-based fear, or just sheer absurdity surrounding it. This program addresses the true nature, benefits, and need of advanced firearms training from suspended positions, whether for an entry team, observation team, or sniper overwatch. Even more significant is the need to train and certify existing tactical firearms instructors to safely conduct training for these skills. Such courses of fire and drills carry with them unique risks, challenges, and considerations. This program will cover and demonstrate (on a hanging prop in the classroom) some of the techniques and considerations in a vertical rangemaster program. This curriculum, developed by the non-profit International Society of Tactical Rope Operators (ISTRO), is a reality and experience-based program that can be shared and expanded upon by agencies that currently have tactical rope programs and capabilities. | 0800 0945 | | Best Practices: Education and Training for the Police Sniper SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Lang, Mark This presentation will explore Best Practices for educating and training police snipers assigned to SWAT teams. Completing a basic sniper course is only the beginning of their career path and not the end. However, many snipers only receive basic certification and do not continue to develop their skillsets due to a myriad of excuses, including lack of funding, inadequate training, lack of training time, organizational culture and fear of failure. In conjunction with training recommendations from the American Sniper Association, we will discuss the different levels of training that should occur and identify when that training should take place during a police sniper's career. Basic, intermediate, and advanced competencies will be identified, helping attendees understand what to expect of a police sniper in 2026. This course is open to police snipers, sniper supervisors, SWAT Commanders and organizational leaders over SWAT. | 0800 0945 | | Structured Training & Leadership in Post Global War on Terror SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Howe, Paul 2026 NTOA Hall of Honor Inductee Well-known author (Leadership and Training for the Fight) and speaker, U.S. Army retired MSG Paul Howe, will discuss training and training validation in the era of YouTube. In the second hour, Paul will focus on leadership principles. It is important to understand the basics that work in both Training and Leadership. All too often, law enforcement looks for the flashy when tried-and-true, simple principles work. | 0800 1200 | | Building Your Tactical Patrol Officer Program SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Periatt, Chris Tactical patrol officers are regular patrol personnel who receive advanced training in tactical skills to more effectively manage high-risk situations and critical incidents. They serve as a vital bridge between standard patrol training and the specialized capabilities of SWAT teams. This enhanced training enables them to respond immediately to active shooter events, hostage situations, and other emergencies - providing crucial intervention until specialized units arrive. This presentation explores the role and function of a tactical patrol unit and how to design, develop, and implement a tactical patrol program within your agency. Instruction includes a PowerPoint presentation, group discussions, and tabletop exercises to facilitate learning and engagement. | 0800 1200 | | Recognition Primed Decision Making: Processing Visual Information for CQB SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Haselhuhn, Seth The presentation will begin with foundational mindset considerations, then move to cognitive skills for vision and recognition-primed decision-making. It will conclude with practical examples of CQB applications. | 0800 1200 | | Training for Transfer: Demonstrating Variability, Adaptability and Decision-Making SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Johnsgaard, Jeff See how teams are putting evidence-based training principles into practice to improve real-world performance, without adding training time. Learn how small, purposeful adjustments, not just more repetitions, can produce better outcomes, faster team alignment and improved adaptability under pressure in areas such as CQB, breaching, firearms and leadership. | 0800 1700 | | Edged Weapon Countermeasures SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: Wihongi, Jared | Bigbee Jr., Kenny | Clarite, Mark Must pre-register for this course. This course is limited to 40 students. | 0800 1700 | | Managing Critical Incidents FULL SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: McDuffie, Ralph Must pre-register for this course. This course is limited to 40 students. | 0800 1700 | | Tactical Mission Planning and Briefing FULL SPECIAL EVENT 2 DAYS Course Length: 16 hours - Instructor: Jahnke, Jason | Clement, Jeffrey ***Must pre-register for this course. This course is limited to 32 students. | 0800 1700 | | Using Exercises to Mitigate Operational Risk SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: Komondor, Gene In this presentation, students will first participate in an interactive session to become familiar with the process for designing and evaluating both discussion and operations-based exercises. Discussion begins with an analysis of learning objectives and the tasks to be evaluated. Using the results of the analysis, participants will identify the various core capabilities needed by personnel to respond effectively to an incident. Students will review excerpts from actual emergency operations plans and determine the type of training needed to perform according to those plans. Exercise objectives will be developed to create an exercise scenario. Students will then write exercise evaluation guides. | 1000 1200 | | Lessons Learned from the Debrief Podcast SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Becker, Jon The Debrief with Jon Becker has spent seven seasons in conversation with elite operators, commanders, and subject matter experts from the most demanding organizations on earth, accumulating over 1.5 million views and listens along the way. This class distills the most consistent and actionable lessons from those conversations into a framework any team or leaders can put to work immediately. | 1000 1200 | | Shots Fired, Truth Required: Managing Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Daigle, Eric Officer-involved shootings represent some of the most complex and scrutinized incidents in policing, requiring thorough, impartial, and legally sound investigations. This session examines the critical steps necessary to ensure investigative integrity from the initial response through administrative and criminal review. Attendees will explore scene management, evidence preservation, officer interviews, public safety statements, and the role of incident command in coordinating investigative activities. The seminar also addresses transparency, officer wellness, and policy implications that emerge from shooting investigations. Emphasis is placed on building investigative processes that withstand legal scrutiny, support officer rights, and maintain public trust following critical incidents. | 1000 1200 | | Sniper Team Leader SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Haugo, Gar Supervisors or snipers assigned to the role of Sniper Team Leader are responsible for a critical component of a tactical team. This seminar will cover topics relevant to effectively running a law enforcement sniper team/section. Topics covered will include safety, training, team management, deployment, and equipment selection. | 1000 1200 | | The Overlooked Option: Developing Tactical Rope Standards, Certifications, & Programs for Law Enforcement SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Cartaya, Eduardo This seminar covers the latest effort to establish law enforcement-specific standards for training and qualification in tactical rope operations, similar to those offered by IRATA/SPRAT for commercial rope access. It is useful to any agency with a current rope program or wanting to start one, as it addresses many of the administrative and legal speed bumps in doing so. Establishing a global standard that integrates advanced techniques from the cave rescue and arborist industries with tactical operations will greatly expand the options available to SWAT commanders during critical incidents. "Solutions" for tactical situations are seldom considered as such if they exist in a plane or dimension of ambiguity or a well-defined and legally edified program. | 1000 1200 | | Top 20 Tactical Principles for Law Enforcement: 1-5 SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Pearson, David This course is divided into four (4) presentations. Attendees may choose to attend any or all sessions, as each will focus on different elements of the Top 20 concepts - an in-depth exploration of principles that are foundational to the mindset, philosophy, and tactical considerations of today's law enforcement officers. The Top 20 concepts are essential for effective daily and critical decision-making. They apply to officers, supervisors, and managers across patrol and special operations, and are relevant to a wide range of incidents, including suicidal subject calls and crowd management events. Regardless of prior experience, participants will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of key topics such as: the Balanced Officer (warrior vs. guardian), soft skills, de-escalation, the OODA loop, tactical decision-making, safety priorities, officer jeopardy, opportunity, the Four C's, space and time, tactical pause, and scenario-based integrated training. These concepts are delivered through incident debriefs and video analysis to promote practical application and discussion. A focused segment of the course will address approaches to suicidal subject calls, demonstrating how many of the Top 20 principles intersect in real-world, high-stress encounters. By the end of the course, attendees will be better equipped to make informed, consistent, and defensible decisions using a structured five-step decision-making model, ultimately becoming more balanced and effective leaders in their agencies. | 1300 1445 | | Avoiding Disaster in the Tactical Environment and Beyond! SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Wall, Sandy | Klinger Ph D, Dr. David This session uses real-world examples and insights from social theory to explore why negative outcomes can occur in police work and operations. It examines what officers, supervisors, and organizational leaders can do to reduce these risks and improve decision-making. The focus is on strengthening tactical performance and building more effective, adaptive policing practices across agencies. | 1300 1445 | | Law Enforcement Drone Response to an Active Shooter Incident SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Lang, Mark This presentation will discuss the benefits of deploying a drone at an active shooter call in line with established NTOA Safety Priorities. Interior and exterior drone utilization after the initial active shooter(s) have been neutralized can be consequential for searching/clearing areas for potential improvised explosive devices and/or other asymmetrical threats. Active shooters once positively contacted can still be a threat to the public and first responders by means of explosive, radiological or biological terrorism. Drone utilization can provide real-time intelligence in identifying suspicious items on or near the shooter(s) and any vehicles involved. This presentation will provide thought-provoking concepts for command staff, SWAT, and drone pilots, as drones provide another valuable tool in responding to these incidents. | 1300 1445 | | Tactical Operations Liability - Legal Update SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Daigle, Eric One of the most critical tasks in law enforcement is the deployment of tactical officers to conduct high-risk operations. While the success of these operations requires extensive training and proper equipment, success also requires sound decision-making from the moment the decision is made to utilize a tactical response to a police event. The media and litigation may even scrutinize the decision after the fact. Much of the developing law can be found in reported federal court decisions. | 1300 1445 | | Training for Tactical Excellence: On Purpose, by Design SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Johnsgaard, Jeff Tactical teams must solve complex, rapidly evolving problems under extreme pressure. Yet much of SWAT training still relies on rote repetition, role players who offer little variability, and instructor-led correction. Those methods produce good performance in training but often fail to transfer to real-world operations with changing conditions. Training Tactical Excellence: On Purpose, By Design introduces a practical, evidence-grounded approach to designing, delivering, and debriefing training that builds operators who can adapt. Real examples will be shared from teams who have implemented a few small, purposeful changes without changing the syllabus and had operators report deeper learning. Team leaders saw improved field performance weeks later in unique and novel environments. Attendees will be presented with actionable tools for drills, coaching methods, AAR structures, and training design that they can implement on their next training day. | 1300 1700 | | Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices that Build Elite Teams SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Becker, Jon Great teams don't happen by accident - they are built through deliberate choices about culture, standards, and the people you surround yourself with. This class gives leaders a practical, field-tested framework drawn from decades of research inside elite military and law enforcement units, with nine proven practices and concrete tools you can put to work immediately - regardless of the size or mission of your organization. | 1300 1700 | | From Chaos to Care: Reunification and Recovery SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Francis, Richard | Martin, Kelly When a critical incident ends, the hardest work often begins. Reunification and recovery are the most emotionally charged, logistically complex, and frequently under-planned phases of crisis management, yet they define how students, families, employees, and communities remember the event. Too often, organizations rely on plans that just check a box and assume that law enforcement or the school system alone is prepared to handle reunification and recovery. Those assumptions collapse within the first minutes of an incident, leaving families, staff, and responders to struggle through avoidable chaos. | 1300 1700 | | Tactical Patrol Operations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Periatt, Chris | Embry, Alex | Ellis, Eric Tactical patrol operations involve specialized, high-risk law enforcement activities such as warrant services, barricaded suspect resolution, active assailant response, and hostage rescue, executed by trained teams to manage dangerous situations. These operations, often serving as a bridge between regular policing and SWAT, prioritize rapid, strategic response and specialized skills such as advanced tactics and weapons handling. This course examines the responsibilities and skill sets necessary for effective patrol operations. | 1300 1700 | | The Six Layer Concept: Tactical Threat Recognition SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Seese, Jay | Macioce, Gino The Human Terrain Mapping and Behavior Pattern Recognition (HTMBPR) program serves as a pivotal training curriculum designed to significantly enhance the capabilities of tactical officers across the spectrum of special operations, from intelligence gathering and mission planning to warrant preparation, tactical maneuvering and post-action review. The program's immersive Tactical Threat Recognition workshop focuses on real-world applications with a multifaceted framework for rapidly analyzing complex human behavior. Through interactive modules, officers learn to swiftly assess situational threats, identify anomalies, mitigate risks, and make well-informed decisions to de-escalate crises and neutralize dangers safely. | 1500 1700 | | Avoiding Disaster in the Tactical Environment and Beyond! SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Wall, Sandy | Klinger Ph D, Dr. David This session uses real-world examples and insights from social theory to explore why negative outcomes can occur in police work and operations. It examines what officers, supervisors, and organizational leaders can do to reduce these risks and improve decision-making. The focus is on strengthening tactical performance and building more effective, adaptive policing practices across agencies. | 1500 1700 | | Deployment Procedures for Snipers SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Haugo, Gar Deployment Procedures for Snipers provides police snipers with a basic understanding of how to successfully deploy into operational settings. | 1500 1700 | | Incident Debrief: Multi-Agency Hostage Rescue, Atchison, KS Jan. 2025 SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Beas, Christopher | Boyer, Ryan | Johnson, Brian On January 24, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, Atchison Police Officers responded to a call of an attempted break-in. A male subject, identified as Bryson A., kicked in the door at 508 N. 9th Street, Apartment 8, in Atchison, KS, and took Taylor R. Bonar hostage. Officers from the Atchison Police Department responded and were met with gunfire from Bryson. He then moved Taylor to Apartment 9. The Atchison Police Department activated its Special Response Team (SRT) and requested assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol SRT and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's High Risk Warrant Team (HRWT). | 1500 1700 | | Top 20 Tactical Principles for Law Enforcement: 6-10 SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Pearson, David This course is divided into four (4) presentations. Attendees may choose to attend any or all of the sessions, as each will focus on different elements of the "Top 20" concepts - an in-depth exploration of principles that are foundational to the mindset, philosophy, and tactical considerations of today's law enforcement officers. |
| 0800 0945 | | Contemporary Tactical Issues SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Ijames, Steve 2026 NTOA Hall of Honor Inductee This presentation will address contemporary tactical issues from a police command and supervision perspective. The block will identify key issues and areas where teams and team leadership are challenged today and offer pre-event strategies to identify and reduce risks for both officers and the agency. The issues will be addressed through actual case studies, with emphasis on a February 2026 incident resulting in the murder of two deputies and wounding of two others, in which the presenter was involved. Participants will leave with in-depth knowledge concerning the nature of the problems and processes that increase the probability of positive outcomes. | 0800 0945 | | Incident Debrief: An OIS Involving Above Ground Level and Interior Hallway Problem-Solving SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Townley, James | Howery, Josh This debrief discusses an officer-involved shooting from high-rise to high-rise in downtown Portland. The incident occurred on the 8th floor of a residential apartment building, where the interior team struggled with a lack of information, all while enduring rifle fire from the suspect's apartment. Evacuations, interior hallway tactics and deployment of sniper elements are all challenges that must be overcome. | 0800 0945 | | Optimizing Human Performance SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Owen Taylor, Parrish This presentation will educate participants on the skills framework and abilities of emotional intelligence, and how to apply these skill sets in personal and professional settings. Instruction and out-of-class exercises include brain-training techniques modeled by the US Department of Defense, as well as proprietary learning models to support a holistic approach to developing a healthy work/life balance. Direct benefits include improved decision-making and clarity of thought, specifically under pressure and amidst adversity. The indirect benefits of applying emotional intelligence skills include the ability to stay relaxed, respond flexibly, adapt to change, be optimistic, and engage in thinking skills during distressed emotional states, such as problem-solving or conflict resolution. | 0800 1200 | | Building a Patrol CQB Program SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Ellis, Eric | Embry, Alex | Periatt, Chris This presentation is designed to familiarize instructors who are interested in building a Patrol CQB program at their organization. Instruction will include how to present the need for this type of training to the administration for approval, and how to structure a progressive training program for officers. It will break down selection of CQB protocol and discuss phasing it into various learning stages via a stair-stepped progression. This will ensure safer patrol personnel and better SWAT candidates for organizations. | 0800 1200 | | Elastic Leadership SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Javidi, Dr. Mitch | King, Justin MAGNUS | ONE, offers the "ELASTIC Leadership, Weathered Strength" session as a unique half-day learning experience for leaders at all levels. | 0800 1200 | | The Six Layer Concept: Tactical Threat Recognition SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Seese, Jay | Macioce, Gino The Human Terrain Mapping and Behavior Pattern Recognition (HTMBPR) program serves as a pivotal training curriculum designed to significantly enhance the capabilities of tactical officers across the spectrum of special operations, from intelligence gathering and mission planning to warrant preparation, tactical maneuvering and post-action review. The program's immersive Tactical Threat Recognition workshop focuses on real-world applications with a multifaceted framework for rapidly analyzing complex human behavior. Through interactive modules, officers learn to swiftly assess situational threats, identify anomalies, mitigate risks, and make well-informed decisions to de-escalate crises and neutralize dangers safely. | 0800 1700 | | Supervising Patrol Critical Incidents SPECIAL EVENT 2 DAYS Course Length: 16 hours - Instructor: Thompson, Jon ***Must pre-register for this course. This course is limited to 40 students. | 1000 1200 | | Incident Debrief: Hamilton County 2024 Armed Barricade SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Ferguson, James | Barlow, Jacob | Cook, Donald In May 2024, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in Florida requested the Alachua County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team to assist in serving an arrest warrant as well as other court-related services. Days before the service, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office conducted extensive surveillance and, on May 15, 2024, served the court processes. The target subject barricaded himself in the residence and fired rounds at SWAT Team members. The subject ultimately exited the residence with a firearm, leading to a sniper engagement. | 1000 1200 | | NTOA Active Shooter Response Evaluative Standards: Purpose and Framework SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Norton, Travis Active shooter incidents unfold under uncertainty, incomplete information, and severe time constraints. Yet post-incident reviews often judge those responses against idealized models rather than the conditions that actually existed at the time decisions were made. This session introduces the NTOA Active Shooter Response Evaluative Standards and explains their purpose and framework. These standards are not operational doctrine and do not prescribe tactics. Instead, they establish guardrails for evaluating leadership decision-making, command presence, adaptation, and professional reasonableness during the Stop the Killing and Stop the Dying phases. | 1000 1200 | | The Violence of Action: A Study into the Causes of Death for Police Officers During the Execution of Warrants SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Rego, Francis This presentation will provide an overview of the tactics utilized by law enforcement over a 10-year time span, which resulted in the death of a law enforcement officer by felonious means. | 1000 1200 | | Top Tactical Principles for Law Enforcement: 11-15 SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Pearson, David This course is divided into four (4) presentations. Attendees may choose to attend any or all of the sessions, as each will focus on different elements of the "Top 20" concepts - an in-depth exploration of principles that are foundational to the mindset, philosophy, and tactical considerations of today's law enforcement officers. | 1300 1445 | | Columbine 27 Years Later: What Have We Learned? SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: DeAndrea, A J This session provides a comprehensive debrief of the Columbine High School shooting, examining the sequence of events, key decisions, and outcomes. Participants will explore both the lessons learned from the incident and the critical lessons that continue to be relevant in today's threat environment. The presentation emphasizes actionable insights for law enforcement, school administrators, first responders, and security professionals, highlighting strategies for preparedness, response, and post-incident management. Through analysis and discussion, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how past experiences can inform current practices in active shooter response, incident management, and the development of safer school environments. | 1300 1445 | | Contemporary Tactical Issues SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Ijames, Steve 2026 NTOA Hall of Honor Inductee This presentation will address contemporary tactical issues from a police command and supervision perspective. The block will identify key issues and areas where teams and team leadership are challenged today and offer pre-event strategies to identify and reduce risks for both officers and the agency. The issues will be addressed through actual case studies, with emphasis on a February 2026 incident resulting in the murder of two deputies and wounding of two others, in which the presenter was involved. Participants will leave with in-depth knowledge concerning the nature of the problems and processes that increase the probability of positive outcomes. | 1300 1445 | | Explosive Breaching: A Historical Perspective SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Frakes, Keith 2026 NTOA Hall of Honor Inductee. | 1300 1445 | | Operational Medical Detachment SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: McDuffie, Ralph With society facing ever-increasing violence and the subsequent increase in incidents involving critically wounded persons, law enforcement is being trained to advanced levels of casualty care and prepared to render closer to, if not at, the point of injury in a vast array of environments. Even with the strongest interoperability relations with fire rescue and emergency medical services, until scenes are secured, most will not respond into a direct or indirect threat environment. The Lake County Sheriff's Office (FL) has addressed this with the establishment of Operational Medicine Detachment, supporting emergency and non-emergency incidents. With 30 tactical medical responders, with scope-of-practice ranging from Tier 2 (T2) emergency medical responder, with enhanced skills-sets, to paramedic (T4), all are sworn law enforcement officers, including agency physician responsible for medical direction and oversight. | 1300 1700 | | Active Assailant Instructor SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Ellis, Eric | Embry, Alex | Periatt, Chris Active assailant/active shooter incidents continue to be one of the most chaotic events law enforcement deals with. They are also among the most critical tasks patrol will deal with. As trainers, it is imperative to continually evaluate nationwide trends to guide our training. This, in turn, must make us put a critical eye on how we constantly expand and modify the training our people receive. In this presentation, we will discuss how trainers can evaluate their current program and suggest best practices for operational overview, tactics, and scenario design to meet this ever-evolving threat. | 1300 1700 | | From Policy to Performance: Leadership & Management of the Tactical Firearms Program SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Wood, Paul | 1500 1700 | | Incident Debrief: Lake County (FL) Officer Killed in Barricade SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: McDuffie, Ralph This Lake County Sheriff's Office critical incident debrief will examine the case in which Master Deputy Sheriff Brad Link was shot and killed, and K9 Deputy Harold Howell was injured when they, along with other deputies, responded to a disturbance at a residence on Brookside Drive near County Road 439 in Eustis. A second ambush during the incident resulted in additional injuries to Deputy First Class Stephano Gargano. The debrief will address patrol and tactical decision-making, incident command, the role of the Tactical Operations Center, and the overall tactical response. It will also cover the investigative theory and findings based on evidence and the actions of the suspects before and during the incident. | 1500 1700 | | NTOA Active Shooter Response Evaluative Standards: Purpose and Framework SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Norton, Travis Active shooter incidents unfold under uncertainty, incomplete information, and severe time constraints. Yet post-incident reviews often judge those responses against idealized models rather than the conditions that actually existed at the time decisions were made. This session introduces the NTOA Active Shooter Response Evaluative Standards and explains their purpose and framework. These standards are not operational doctrine and do not prescribe tactics. Instead, they establish guardrails for evaluating leadership decision-making, command presence, adaptation, and professional reasonableness during the Stop the Killing and Stop the Dying phases. | 1500 1700 | | SWAT-Focused Human Performance Optimization: Practical Fitness, Nutrition, and Recovery Strategies and Tactics for Every Operator SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Nice, Mandy | Dulla, Joe | Joyce, Jill Few professions demand the level of mastery, grit and operational excellence demonstrated daily by SWAT and tactical operators. This session is designed to honor that expertise while delivering practical, science-based strategies that seamlessly complement the strong training foundations operators already have in place. | 1500 1700 | | The Tenets of PIE; Its Origins, Application, and Considerations as an Operational Philosophy SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: DeAndrea, A J Deputy Chief AJ DeAndrea (Ret.) held leadership roles during three school shootings that forever changed the fabric of American society and transformed law enforcement's response to active shooter incidents worldwide: Columbine High School, Platte Canyon High School, and the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) shootings. These pivotal events, along with extensive realworld experience, form the foundation of the P.I.E. Tactical Decision-Making Matrix, a framework now utilized by law enforcement agencies, school districts, and corporations worldwide to guide decision-making under pressure. | 1500 1700 | | Top 20 Tactical Principles for Law Enforcement: 16-20 SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Pearson, David This course is divided into four (4) presentations. Attendees may choose to attend any or all of the sessions, as each will focus on different elements of the "Top 20" concepts - an in-depth exploration of principles that are foundational to the mindset, philosophy, and tactical considerations of today's law enforcement officers. |
| 0800 0945 | | 22zero Healing the Hero SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Arnell, Pamela | 0800 0945 | | Drones for Dynamic Operations: Strategies & Standards to Gain the Tactical Edge SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Jones, Steven | Karlewicz, Chad This course builds on the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) and NTOA Tactical Operations Standard to move beyond foundational knowledge and into real-world tactical application with drones. Designed for both new and experienced SWAT drone operators, the class will explore how to effectively integrate drones into high-risk operations through proven strategies, structured decision-making, and standardized practices. Using practical examples and lessons learned, this session will challenge operators to refine their approach and maximize the tactical value of drones on every call. | 0800 0945 | | Field Supplementation and Hydration During Training SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Kennedy, Kelly This presentation covers the latest recommendations for packing food for training, preventing heat-related illness during training, and optimizing nutrition to reduce the risk of injuries caused by overtraining or underfeeding. | 0800 0945 | | The Violence of Action: A Study Into the Causes of Death fro Police Offciers During High-Risk Warrants SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Rego, Francis This presentation will provide an overview of the tactics utilized by law enforcement over a ten-year time span, which resulted in the death of a law enforcement officer by felonious means. This was a capstone research project that was submitted for the NTOA Command College. The goal of this presentation is to educate attendees on the risks inherent in certain SWAT tactics, the risk vs. reward trade-off, and to provide examples of tactics that have proven effective in keeping officers safe. | 0800 1200 | | Elastic Leadership SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Javidi, Dr. Mitch | King, Justin MAGNUS | ONE, offers the ELASTIC Leadership, Weathered Strength session as a unique half-day learning experience for leaders at all levels. In today's high-pressure policing environment, leaders inevitably pick up "rust/stress," the wear and tear from years of service, complex decisions, and operational stress. This dynamic and highly inspiring session introduces a bold, human-centered leadership mindset: embracing the rust not as a flaw, but as a sign of perseverance, experience, and resilience. This session is about the space few people see, the space beneath the badge, where identity is shaped, purpose is refined, and performance is either sustained or quietly erodes. Drawing from the MAGNUS ONE Science and the Elasticity of Identity Theory, developed by Dr. Mitch Javidi, this presentation equips law enforcement leaders with strategies to: 1. Recognize the hidden costs of leadership fatigue and drift. 2. Apply the proper cognitive stance to perceive, interpret, and react to situations. 3. Balance grit with empathy and adaptability. 4. Sustain leadership identity, emotional health, and organizational culture. 5. Manage competing demands and the impacts of compounding stress. 6. Stay resilient without becoming emotionally closed. 7. Enhance leadership capacity to produce meaningful outcomes. 8. Lead without sacrificing communication and connection. MAGNUS ONE Science is a research-based leadership and performance framework designed to help individuals elevate from "good" to "exceptional" by integrating identity, agency, and purpose into daily decision-making. It is grounded in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and real-world performance demands - particularly in high-stakes professions like law enforcement. The Elasticity of Identity Theory complements this by helping leaders recognize when their sense of self becomes rigid, fatigued, or disconnected from their purpose. It equips them with tools to stretch, adapt, and recover - without losing who they are. Together, these frameworks provide the foundation for this session, offering practical, science-informed strategies to help leaders navigate complex challenges while sustaining peak performance. Rust or stress is not something to fear or hide; it is something to manage, heal, and integrate. True leadership grit is not about impenetrable toughness; it is about elasticity, humility, and the ability to recover and grow while staying open. Participants will explore: 1. How to recognize leadership drift and accumulated rust before it corrodes decision-making. 2. Strategies to build the internal capacity to sustain high performance while remaining emotionally accessible and connected to others. 3. Ways to apply elasticity principles to protect personal identity and prevent burnout. 4. How to use "de-rusting rituals" and Small Positive Incremental Changes Over Time (SPICOT) to maintain daily leadership agility. This session will challenge attendees to reconsider traditional definitions of grit, toughness, and leadership armor, offering instead a sustainable leadership model that honors both strength and human connection. | 0800 1200 | | Incident Debrief: The Two Battles - Domestic Violence Homicide Hostage Rescue SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Gribble, Travis A hostage rescue debrief is where this presentation begins - the kind of call that tests everything an operator has been trained to do and some things they haven't. From there, the presentation expands on what the best operators know about performing under extreme stress and what a career spent in high-risk operations ultimately does to the people who live it. | 0800 1200 | | Looking Beyond the Viewport: Changing the Culture of the Dynamic Ballistic Shield SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Cipolla, Constantino | Lee, Eric This seminar, presented by Constantino Cipolla and Eric Lee - teammates and Ballistic Shield Instructors - will focus on the underuse and training deficiencies surrounding ballistic shields in law enforcement, particularly within patrol, investigative, and tactical team environments. This informative session draws on the real-world experience of two full-time SWAT operators, Cipolla and Lee, who have developed a structured, progressive training curriculum. Their courses include an introductory Ballistic Shield Operator - Level I and an advanced-level course, both of which incorporate live-fire training. The tactics, techniques, and methodologies taught in these courses directly align with CQB (Close Quarters Battle) practices widely adopted by law enforcement agencies. The presentation will also examine common pitfalls agencies encounter when selecting and purchasing ballistic shields that fail to meet operational requirements. Drawing from extensive instruction across Illinois, Cipolla and Lee will highlight how many agencies acquire shields that do not meet the needs of their officers or tactical teams. Furthermore, they will discuss how a lack of sufficient training - especially in live-fire environments - undermines shield effectiveness. The seminar will conclude with an overview of ballistic shield use in hostage rescue (HR) missions. The presenters will share insights from studies validated through both training and operational deployments, demonstrating that ballistic shields enhance mission safety without compromising speed or tactics. The seminar emphasizes that proper training and a solid foundation are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of ballistic shields in SWAT operations. | 0800 1700 | | Crisis Negotiations Skills for First Responders SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: Doering, Patrick | Hays, Rusty l. ***Must pre-register for this Course. This course is limited to 24 students. | 0800 1700 | | High-Risk Scene Management for Team Leaders/Supervisors SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 8 hours - Instructor: Lopez, Marco This classroom-based course prepares officers to respond decisively and effectively to high-risk, rapidly evolving incidents across open-air environments, vehicles, residential structures, and commercial settings. Instruction covers barricaded subjects, barricaded subjects armed, barricaded subjects with additional occupants, hostage situations, and incidents involving innocent bystanders. | 1000 1200 | | Beyond the Square Range: Developing Team-Based Firearms Training SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Wood, Paul This two-hour presentation explores training concepts designed to strengthen tactical firearms programs through team-based, practical range exercises. Participants will examine training methods that emphasize communication, muzzle discipline, and situational awareness - three critical elements for safely managing dynamic firearms training environments. The session will illustrate practical range exercises instructors can use to develop these skills while reinforcing safety, coordination, and instructor oversight during team-based training evolutions. | 1000 1200 | | Brain Health: Surviving Police Work SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Mahncke, Henry | Selleg, Jeff Neuroscientist Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of BrainHQ, will discuss the effects of experiencing trauma, which start on day 1 of police work, are cumulative over an officer's career, and have immediate and long-term impact on brain health. He will explore the latest research on methods to mitigate ongoing brain health stressors, including fatigue, lack of sleep, poor diet, depression, anxiety, stress, and other factors, as well as findings on better performance as a law enforcement professional and improved overall long-term health. | 1000 1200 | | Evaluation of Tactics for SWAT SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Ellis, Eric | Embry, Alex | Periatt, Chris One of the most critical tasks of SWAT leadership is developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the tactics utilized by the officers in their chain of command. These SOPs will determine both the safety and efficiency of operations. However, how we select these standards is often disorganized and lacks structure. This can lead to difficulty sustaining the use of a particular tactic and compromise training efficiency and officer safety. | 1000 1200 | | Incident Debrief: Georgetown, TX Gabriel View Hostage Situation SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Raley, Wyatt December 27th, 2022, patrol officers responded to 2700 Gabriel View in Georgetown, Texas. The caller, a 13-year-old female, advised that her step-father, who does not live at the residence, snuck into the house with a flashlight, wearing all black and a ski mask. The male had taken an adult female hostage. Dispatch also reported that the suspect had been in a standoff with a neighboring city over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Central Texas Regional SWAT team responded. The presenter will discuss how an Immediate Action Team confronted multiple challenges and the lessons learned during this incident. | 1000 1200 | | Resolving Burning Barricades: When the Structure Catches Fire SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Etzin, James Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams are deservedly known for not only being highly trained and specially equipped but also adaptable and resourceful during extremely dynamic situations. However, when a structure fire occurs during a critical incident, it adds a layer of complexity most SWAT teams are ill-prepared for, consequently leading to operational delays that make mission success that much more difficult to achieve. To counter such circumstances, this presentation will describe what extraordinary resources fire service personnel, apparatus, and equipment can be within tactical environments and how they can be safely and efficiently utilized to mitigate a variety of unconventional challenges. | 1300 1445 | | Drones Advancing Tactical Air Superiority: A New Era in Police Operations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Yeast, John This presentation introduces the concept of Tactical Air Superiority and the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into SWAT and tactical operations. Attendees will explore how to effectively deploy UAS to support high-risk missions, enhance situational awareness, and provide real-time intelligence. Instruction includes the coordinated use of multiple unmanned systems, including robotics, to support synchronized operational tempo. The course aligns with Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) and National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) standards, focusing on practical applications, team integration, and operational effectiveness. | 1300 1445 | | Field Supplementation and Hydration During Training SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Kennedy, Kelly This presentation covers the latest recommendations for packing food for training, preventing heat-related illness during training, and optimizing nutrition to reduce the risk of injuries caused by overtraining or underfeeding. | 1300 1445 | | Incident Debrief: Barricaded Suspect with Co-Habitants and Officer Down SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Grady, Douglas | Busch, Aaron The Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a disturbance call in which a suspect was reportedly threatening his father-in-law and possibly holding his family captive. A patrol officer arrived on scene and made contact with the father-in-law and other family members. Officers were advised that the suspect was heavily armed and holding his wife and three children inside the residence. The suspect later fired rounds at officers, striking one officer in the hip. More than 80 officers from multiple agencies, including the Oklahoma City Tactical Unit, responded to the incident. The Tactical Unit assumed command and coordinated with two additional teams to resolve the situation through a sniper-initiated assault, resulting in the suspect's death. | 1300 1445 | | Training Small Team Rural Tactics SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Vilander, Dana Approximately 97% of the United States is rural, yet many officers receive most of their tactical training in urban environments. Operations in wooded areas, mountains, deserts, urban-rural interface zones, and agricultural terrain require specialized skills and tactics. This course provides officers and deputies with practical techniques for small-team movement, search operations, suspect containment, and manhunts in challenging rural environments. | 1300 1700 | | Expectations for Exploring an Explosive Breach Capability SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Cherry, Christopher | Cherry Jr., Christopher This presentation will discuss expectations for establishing and managing an explosive breaching program, addressing common misconceptions about explosives, and understanding technical considerations in breaching charge construction. | 1300 1700 | | Looking Beyond the Viewport: Changing the Culture of the Dynamic Ballistic Shield SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Cipolla, Constantino | Lee, Eric This seminar, presented by Constantino Cipolla and Eric Lee - teammates and Ballistic Shield Instructors - will focus on the underuse and training deficiencies surrounding ballistic shields in law enforcement, particularly within patrol, investigative, and tactical team environments. This informative session draws on the real-world experience of two full-time SWAT operators, Cipolla and Lee, who have developed a structured, progressive training curriculum. Their courses include an introductory Ballistic Shield Operator - Level I and an advanced-level course, both of which incorporate live-fire training. The tactics, techniques, and methodologies taught in these courses directly align with CQB (Close Quarters Battle) practices widely adopted by law enforcement agencies. The presentation will also examine common pitfalls agencies encounter when selecting and purchasing ballistic shields that fail to meet operational requirements. Drawing from extensive instruction across Illinois, Cipolla and Lee will highlight how many agencies acquire shields that do not meet the needs of their officers or tactical teams. Furthermore, they will discuss how a lack of sufficient training - especially in live-fire environments - undermines shield effectiveness. The seminar will conclude with an overview of ballistic shield use in hostage rescue (HR) missions. The presenters will share insights from studies validated through both training and operational deployments, demonstrating that ballistic shields enhance mission safety without compromising speed or tactics. The seminar emphasizes that proper training and a solid foundation are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of ballistic shields in SWAT operations. | 1500 1700 | | Beyond the Square Range: Developing Team-Based Firearms Training SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Wood, Paul This two-hour presentation explores training concepts designed to strengthen tactical firearms programs through team-based, practical range exercises. Participants will examine training methods that emphasize communication, muzzle discipline, and situational awareness - three critical elements for safely managing dynamic firearms training environments. The session will illustrate practical range exercises instructors can use to develop these skills while reinforcing safety, coordination, and instructor oversight during team-based training evolutions. | 1500 1700 | | Evaluation of Tactics for SWAT SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Ellis, Eric | Embry, Alex | Periatt, Chris One of the most critical tasks of SWAT leadership is developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the tactics utilized by the officers in their chain of command. These SOPs will determine both the safety and efficiency of operations. However, how we select these standards is often disorganized and lacks structure. This can lead to difficulty sustaining the use of a particular tactic and compromise training efficiency and officer safety. | 1500 1700 | | Incident Debrief: Murdered in the Line of Duty: Sgt. Scott Heiman SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Greenwood, Timothy | Burkholder, Josh On September 28, 2025, Sgt. Scott Heimann was an element leader for small, Western Kansas Tactical Team at a barricaded subject call. The suspect had run his ex-girlfriend off the road, and was now refusing to exit his residence. Sgt. Heimann led a containment team on a scout of the rear of the structure. Finding no improved position, they returned to their previous location. After hearing a strange noise coming from the target structure, they advanced and used white light to check the backyard. Seeing nothing, they backed up, but a single, suppressed rifle round was fired from inside the structure. As officers reacted to the downed officer, command was advised that the suspect was using thermal optics. This debrief covers how the officers on the ground and at the command post reacted during worst callout in their team's history. |
| 0800 0945 | | Drone Integration Into Law Enforcement Operations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Oubre, Herbert | Karlewicz, Chad This presentation provides a comprehensive look at Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration into tactical law enforcement operations. It highlights real-world applications, decision-making processes, and the role of aerial intelligence in enhancing situational awareness, officer safety, and operational effectiveness. | 0800 0945 | | Incident Debrief: DV Barricade and OIS SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Anderson, Joel | Rincon, Maurice During the early morning hours of September 22, 2022, law enforcement from the Clallam County Sheriff's Office and the Sequim Police Department responded to a domestic violence assault. The suspect, who lived in a detached shop on the property, had struck his girlfriend in the head with an axe and threatened to kill himself. Officers attempted to contact the suspect, who fired at them from inside the shop. Additional law enforcement personnel responded, including members of the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team and Washington State Patrol Special Weapons and Tactics team. Over the course of several hours, the suspect fired dozens of rounds from inside the shop. Negotiators attempted to contact the suspect via cellular phone, loudspeaker, and robot; he did not respond. The SWAT team employed technology and less lethal tools to encourage the suspect's surrender. The suspect exited the shop holding a shotgun. He ignored repeated commands to stop advancing and drop the firearm. After being struck with a less lethal 40mm projectile, he pointed the shotgun directly at officers. Three team members shot the suspect, causing him to fall to the ground inches away from the firearm. The SWAT team devised a safe approach and provided aid to the suspect, who was deceased. | 0800 0945 | | Police Counter Ambush SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Morris, Robert This course is designed to educate and prepare police officers in the event of an ambush. | 0800 0945 | | The Violence of Action: A Study Into the Causes of Death to Police Officers During High-Risk Warrants SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Rego, Francis This presentation will provide an overview of the tactics utilized by law enforcement over a ten-year time span, which resulted in the death of a law enforcement officer by felonious means. This was a capstone research project that was submitted for the NTOA Command College. The goal of this presentation is to educate attendees on the risks inherent in certain SWAT tactics, the risk vs. reward trade-off, and to provide examples of tactics that have proven effective in keeping officers safe. | 0800 1200 | | Conducting an Assessment: Large Venue Operations SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Fishel, Chris This presentation examines the unique challenges associated with setting up plans for events at large venues. Topics include lessons learned from past events, observation and reporting techniques, Ground-Level Integrated Overwatch utilizing snipers and UAVs, and conducting comprehensive site assessments. The session concludes with classroom exercises that allow attendees to apply the concepts presented. | 0800 1200 | | Detecting A Cunning Opponent SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 4 hours - Instructor: Williams, Greg | Marren, Brian During the seminar, instructors will lead course participants through the foundational concepts, principles and skills of Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis (HBPR&A), an evidence-based behavioral profiling method designed to detect anomalous environmental and behavior cues associated with adversarial behavior. Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis, (HBPR&A) consists of a core set of concepts, approaches, methods and skills that collectively enhance participants' ability to understand what is happening around them, detect and act on anomalous behavioral and environmental cues, articulate facts and observable behaviors using a common operating language, and make decisions that are legally, morally and ethically defensible. | 1000 1200 | | Incident Debrief: Halloween Night Hostage Rescue SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Tencza, Brian | Wesolowski, Richard On October 31, 2024, the South Suburban Emergency Response Team was called to assist the Cook County HBT on a hostage rescue. A male suspect was holding his girlfriend and special needs daughter hostage. Cook County was on scene for approximately 10 hours. The offender repeatedly threatened harm to his girlfriend and daughter throughout our time on target. A deliberate hostage rescue plan was devised and implemented. Multiple explosive entries were utilized to gain access to the structure. Shots were fired by the offender, and a successful hostage rescue was conducted. | 1000 1200 | | SWAT Medic and Rescue Task Force Interaction During Active Violence SPECIAL EVENT Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Etzin, James In recent years, significant emphasis has been placed on collaboration between conventional fire departments, emergency medical services providers, and patrol officers or deputies to deliver warm zone care during active violence incidents. However, what contingencies exist when offender tactics, false reports of additional suspects, limited law enforcement availability, or other "curve balls" result in unreasonable delays in defining where hot zones end and warm zones begin? This presentation will explore contemporary strategies, tactics, and concepts - including the deployment of SWAT medics - to help bridge those gaps. The goal is to facilitate faster hemorrhage control, casualty extraction, and transportation to hospitals in dynamic and unpredictable environments. | 1000 1200 | | Training Small Team Rural Tactics SPECIAL EVENT THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DAYS Course Length: 2 hours - Instructor: Vilander, Dana Approximately 97% of the United States is rural, yet many officers receive most of their tactical training in urban environments. Operations in wooded areas, mountains, deserts, urban-rural interface zones, and agricultural terrain require specialized skills and tactics. This course provides officers and deputies with practical techniques for small-team movement, search operations, suspect containment, and manhunts in challenging rural environments. |