National Law Enforcement

Speakers Bureau, LLC


Expanded Course

Course Descriptions


     Prescription Drug Investigations

Diverting Pharmaceutical drugs from their prescribed and appropriate use is a major and growing problem for law enforcement.  For many drug abusers, pharmaceutical pain killers are their first drug of choice.  While many doctors provide honest care, too many write prescriptions for money.  How do you determine which is which?  Prescription pain pill addiction can lead to other cheaper illicit drugs, such as heroin.  The goal of this 8-hour class is to present an in-depth overview of various prescription substances, learn CSA & Drug Scheduling and discuss diversion techniques which law enforcement officers will likely encounter in their duties.  A basic understanding of how conspiracy laws can be exploited to further pharmaceutical investigations, how drugs affect the body and the evolution of addiction will be explored.  Students will gain knowledge of various methods of money laundering and maximizing asset seizures.  Included are investigative techniques to detect activity and apprehend violators, as well as an exploration into the evolution of addiction and how the body reacts to various pharmaceuticals.   Topics include:

            Prescription forgery & alteration
            Doctor shopping
            “Pill Mills”
            Mexican Pharmacies

 

     Report Writing & Courtroom Survival

A trial is about perception and persuasion.  How does a jury perceive you and can how can you persuade a jury?  The class is designed to prepare officers for rigors of cross examination by defense attorneys.  Confidence, professionalism and integrity are emphasized when exploring the common areas defense attorneys exploit to discredit officers.  This class will also demonstrate the greatest pitfall of police work, poorly written reports.  An officer’s ability to write reports is a major factor in a prosecutor’s determination to try, plead or even dismiss a case.  Making a million dollar seizure can enhance your career.  Losing it because of poorly written reports can end your career.  Officers are taught the importance of detailed report writing, note taking, and appropriate preparation for various court hearings relative to successful prosecutions.  Report writing exercises will enhance the students understanding and abilities.  Topics include:

            Proper Note & Report Writing
            Trial Preparation
            Appearance & Jury Appeal
            Presentation & Professionalism

 

     Complex Case Development & Expansion

This class will demonstrate how narcotic investigations focusing on successful dismantling of drug trafficking organizations and the seizure of their illegally obtained assets are developed.  How to turn a vehicle stop into a complex conspiracy investigation with a huge local impact will be explained.  An emphasis on conspiracy and money laundering will allow students to understand and develop complex cases resulting in an increase in asset seizures as well as an increase in defendant arrests. From the gathering of information to developing case files, to report writing to the preparation for trial and all that’s in between will be explored to assist new investigators as they prepare to initiate and successfully dismantle drug organizations.  Case studies will give actual examples of expanded investigations so students can compare their situations for similar tactics.  Topics include:

            Prosecutorial Coordination
            Conspiracy vs. Buy-Bust Cases
            Money Laundering
            File Management

 

 
     Asset Forfeiture Basics

This 8-hour class will demonstrate the greatest pitfall of police work, poorly written reports and understanding the law.  Making a million dollar seizure can enhance your career.  Losing it because of poorly written reports can end your career.  What can you seize and why can you seize it?  Improper actions can result in returned assets, or worse, bad case law.  Reports require just facts, while affidavits allow for conclusions and opinions.  Understanding and applying the law appropriately, in conjunction with the components of proper report and affidavit writing will be discussed and demonstrated with techniques that display professionalism and confidence.  Too often, common mistakes in writing make an officer look like a buffoon on the witness stand.  Complacency frequently turns into short-cuts that can result in acquittals, overturned convictions and returned seizures.  Report writing exercises will enhance the students understanding and abilities.  A comparison between state and Federal seizure laws will better prepare the students to determine which venue is best for their department.  Blocks on instruction include:

            Asset Forfeiture Basics
            Taking and Maintaining Notes
            Proper Report Preparation
            Affidavit Writing

 

     Undercover Operations

Once seen as the most glamorous role in narcotic cases, undercover operations are just another tool for successful prosecutions.  Times have changed, and an officer’s understanding of what can be accomplished through undercover work must be current.  This one day class will explain the safe techniques utilized for proper undercover operations resulting in asset seizures, ranging from operational plans, to contingency plans, to officer rescue techniques.  Cover stories, identification, and warning signs will be discussed.  Case studies will demonstrate proper and improper methods of undercover work, as well as common mistakes made by undercover officers.  Undercover work does not mean just buying dope; “any dope can buy dope.”  Working undercover is a matter of perception and persuasion.  The same techniques are necessary when testifying in front of a jury.  Knowing when to utilize which skills can be crucial.  Blocks of Instruction will include:

            Preparing for Undercover Operations
            Operational Plans & Liabilities
            Cover stories & Identification Issues
            Recognizing the Warning Signs

 

                        Combined & Condensed Classes

Any of the above One Day Classes can be offered alone, or condensed and combined.  For example, instead of One Day Classes on Undercover Operations & Informant Management, you could have a condensed version of each class in one day (4 hours of UC Operations & 4 hours of Informant Management).  Or, do one full day of Prescription Drug Investigations and a second day of two condensed classes.  Two days of instruction together would be priced less than two separate 1-day classes, so it’s much cheaper that way.

The Atlanta HIDTA frequently uses this idea.  They call it a Narcotic Investigator Tools Class, and it consists of 2-days with 4 classes being offered.  Other classes also available to include in such a class are these 4-hour classes:

 

     Basic Wiretap Investigations

Designed for law enforcement with limited experience in wiretap investigations, Basic Wiretap Investigations is a dynamic course designed to teach law enforcement officers proper procedures and techniques to conduct wiretap investigations.  This course will highlight the effectiveness of using wiretaps to identify, document and successfully prosecute narcotics trafficking organizations. Students will receive a basic overview of the laws pertaining to the interception of communications and legal guidelines regarding what kind of conversations can be intercepted.  This course will include a detailed discussion on a variety of topics, including current intercept technologies, the pre-wiretap investigation needed to obtain an interception order, the actual wiretap investigation during the wire, and how to properly manage and run the wiretap room.  The students will also learn investigative techniques commonly used to corroborate criminal information obtained during the wire interceptions.  Topics include:

            Investigative techniques and case development
            Consent Intercepts
            Organizing, managing and running the wire room and Investigation
            Surveillance Coordination

 

     Indoor Cannabis Cultivation

This 4-hour class is designed to provide investigating officers and support personnel with the basic tools necessary to detect, seize, prosecute and testify in indoor marijuana cultivation cases.  This course will cover cannabis horticulture, cloning and germinating plants, and cultivation equipment.  How to locate and investigate indoor grows will be discussed in depth.  Numerous case studies and investigations will be examined and critiqued.  Topics include:

     Growing Cycles of Cannabis
     Elements of Indoor Cultivation
     Safety Considerations at Raid Time
     Evidence Collection

 

     When the Bullet Leaves the Barrel

Every time an officer fires his weapon to defend himself or others, the body reacts.  This 4-hour class explains how the body physically reacts to stress and critical incidents.  Why some people “freeze” and others function, has nothing to do with fear; it’s the body’s natural response to an abnormal situation.  It is NEVER a good idea to provide a statement immediately following a shooting, yet most departments require it – WHY?!  Simple explanations to complex body functions, demonstrates how Police Officers respond to various life or death situations and assists in preventing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Topics include:

     Understanding Critical Incidents
     Post Traumatic Stress vs. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
     PTSD Inoculations

 

     Interviews, Interrogations & Debriefings

This 4-hour class demonstrates the differences between interviews, interrogations and debriefing, and when to use which one to obtain the information you need.  Designed to enable police professionals to enhance their ability to gain information and determine the truth through the interview, interrogation and debriefing process.   Skills are taught to enable detection of deception by analysis of non-verbal and verbal communication.   Body language, props and rapport building are just a few of the topics covered.  Other topics include:

         Recognizing Criminal Indicators
         Use of Recording Devices
         The Art of Listening


                                 Two day courses

     Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican drug traffickers pose the greatest threat to the United States today.  This 2-day class will include intelligence on Mexican trafficking organizations and the surge of violence on our borders.  The instructors will identify cartel hit men operations and cartel sponsored gang enforcement activities presently ongoing in the United States.  Further, an overview of the organizational structure of Mexican drug trafficking groups, identifying methods of operation, money laundering techniques, drug and money routes, cartel training facilities, enforcers, and the Mexican government strategy to deconstruct these organizations will be offered, as well as methods and investigative techniques to combat these dangerous traffickers and seize their illegally obtained assets.  Topics include:

            Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations
            Conspiracy Investigations & Case Expansion
            Informant Development & Debriefings
            Undercover Operations


     Interdiction and Seizure of Concealed Assets

The purpose of this course is to increase the officer’s awareness of possible criminal activity involving the transportation of concealed drug proceeds during “routine” vehicle stops and to train the officer in the proper techniques for a safe, proper and productive vehicle criminal interdiction stop.  Students are taught how to locate hidden compartments and electronic traps on vehicles, as well as learning the vehicle’s natural voids.  Instructors with unparalleled real life experience will equip the students with the abilities to quickly determine whether a vehicle’s occupants are involved in possible criminal activity and further investigations beyond that stop.  A combination of instruction and hands-on practical exercises involving multiple searches of a variety of motor vehicles to demonstrate vehicle natural voids and possible locations of concealed compartments will enhance student’s confidence and abilities.  Topics include:

            Natural Voids & Concealed Compartments
            Roadside Interviews
            Asset Forfeiture Basics
            Case Development
            Practical Exercises

 
           Task Force Officer Orientation

New TFOs are thrown into a system few can understand.  In addition to learning how the Federal judicial systems works, they have to learn how DEA works.  The many reports, policies and practices can be very confusing.  A typical TFO takes over a year to gain this basic understanding and begin to become productive TFOs.  This 2-day course gives up to 60 full-time Task Force Officers the benefits that DEA Special Agents receive during BAT training in Quantico, relative to Report Writing, Policies, Procedures and other necessary knowledge needed to function in the day-to-day investigative and forfeiture activities within a Task Force.  Students are provided with detailed handout containing report and form examples and shortcuts to make the transition to a Task Force Officer easier.  Topics include:

          Report Writing
          DOJ Deadly Force & Firearms Policies
          Documentation Requirements
          Informant Liabilities
 

      Advanced Informant Management

This 2-day advanced class provides proper guidelines to recognize, recruit, train, and safely manage informants. The student will also have a heightened awareness of various sources of information available to the investigator and will be aware of the need to develop and maintain good tactical and officer safety skills when working with informants.  Informants and sources, motivations for informant cooperation, recruiting informants, cooperation and contingency fee agreements, using informants to make undercover purchases, electronic surveillance and entrapment issues, controlling the informant and the initial informant debriefing process.  A practical exercise will emphasize the importance of proper informant contacts and debriefings. The following blocks of instruction are also included:
            Informant Recruiting
            Informant Documentation & Agreements
            Informant Contacts & Corroboration
            Informant Liabilities
            Informant's Role in Undercover Operations

 

                                                                                             3-Day Courses

      State & Local Supervisor School

This advanced 3-day, 24-hour class is specifically for supervisors of State & Local drug units who conduct narcotic investigations.  Multiple Instructors with specialized experience will address the common issues facing drug unit supervisors.  By demonstrating the importance of selecting, training and leading narcotic investigators, students will be best prepared for risk assessment and mitigation pertaining to enforcement operations.  The class will address liabilities of supervisors, developing and expanding narcotic and financial investigations, proper utilization of forfeited asset seizure monies, logistics on running a multi-jurisdictional task force with focus on ethics and leadership.  Supervisors will understand the importance of proper policy and procedure formulation and enforcement.  Additional topics include:

     Identify organizational aspects concerning enforcement operations
     Evidence Collection and Processing
     Informant Management and Documentation
     Operational Planning

 

Commercial Airline Interdiction

With TSA providing screening at each airport, smugglers & couriers are unable to transport drugs and money via civilian flyers.  This does NOT mean airlines are no longer used.  Drug Cartels are targeting airline employees, using them as couriers and facilitators for their illegal businesses.  While travelers are subject to intense scrutiny, airline employees have relatively unrestricted access to aircraft and luggage.  There are millions of dollars of drugs and drug proceeds each year being secretly transported across, in and out of the USA.  None of it is going through TSA checkpoints.  It is being secreted into luggage and onto aircraft directly, to be retrieved by co-conspirators at destination cities.  This course also explores the Drug Cartels, Case Development & Expansion, Courtroom Survival, Risk Avoidance & Liabilities, Search & Seizure, Airline Concealment Methods & Trends, Conspiracy and Recent Case Laws. 

 

 


2-Week State & Local Basic Narcotic Investigator School

This 80-hour course gives up to 70 State & Local narcotic Investigators the tools necessary to conduct complex and successful investigations focusing on maximum asset identification and seizures.  Regardless of experience level, every “Narc” should attend this school.  Courses range from Courtroom Survival, to Drug Identification, to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations, to Informant Management.  Nearly a dozen Instructors, with unquestionable expertise with DEA and within their particular fields, give students the ability and confidence to investigate any drug trafficking organization, with an emphasis towards integrity, professionalism, success prosecution, asset identification and seizure.  Other topics include:

          Report & Seizure Affidavit Writing
          Risk Management
          Asset Forfeiture Basics
          Informant Management
          Investigation Development and Expansion

          And much, much more...