This course was developed to assist officers new to conducting drug investigations, or as a refresher for officers returning to drug units, who want to become familiar with drug investigations and current trends. The course is designed to assist in providing a solid foundation of investigative techniques from which officers can safely and ethically conduct drug investigations. Officers are given current and relevant information on Drug Identification, Informant Handling, Consent Searches, Operations Planning, and Controlled Purchases. Policies and procedures differ from agency to agency and this presentation is a general overview, created to not conflict with your department operating guidelines in drug investigations.

Who Should Attend: This course was developed to assist officers new to conducting drug investigations, or as a refresher for officers returning to drug units, who want to become familiar with drug investigations and current trends.

Course Objectives:

The course is designed to assist in providing a solid foundation of investigative techniques from which officers can safely and ethically conduct drug investigations. Officers are given current and relevant information on Drug Identification, Informant Handling, Consent Searches, Operations Planning, and Controlled Purchases. Policies and procedures differ from agency to agency and this presentation is a general overview, created to not conflict with your department operating guidelines in drug investigations.

Day 1

Basic Drug Identification and Trends

Topics include the identification of illicit street drugs, common terms, nomenclature, prices, weights, clandestine lab, and the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act. The physiological effects of illicit drugs will also be covered. Officers will also discuss current local and national drug trends.

Intelligence Gathering

Officers will learn what information sources are available to them and how to use that information to initiate proactive drug investigations.

Operations Planning

Officers will be instructed on the safe planning of operations such as covert surveillance, controlled purchases and raids. Topics such as de-confliction and operational secrecy /security will also be covered.

Voluntary Consent Searches

An often misunderstood and under-utilized tool by drug investigators, consent searches can be the start or finish of many successful cases. This course will cover proven, legal and ethical techniques used to successfully conduct consensual encounters.

Day 2

Confidential Informant Handling

The use of Confidential Informants, although a powerful tool in drug investigations, can quickly become a liability to the case. Officers will be instructed on the proper and ethical handling of informants, the varying motivations, and the risks associated with the use of informants.

Controlled Purchases

Officers will be instructed on the basic mechanics of a safe and ethical controlled purchase of illicit drugs. Officers will learn the hazards associated with controlled purchases, the advantages and disadvantages of using an undercover officer.

Case Study

A variety of actual narcotics cases will be broken down step-by-step from the initial stages through to prosecution.

Day 3

Court Preparation

In the last several years there has been a shift in which juries, judges and prosecutors view drug investigations, the credibility of informants and the “CSI” effect on evidence. Officers will be instructed on the importance of accurate and ethical documentation, testimony and evidence presentation.