(Strategies for Officer Safety is recommended prior to this training)

Probation, parole and community supervision officers are killed and injured each year both in the office and in the field. During this dynamic 2-day training event, officers will learn tactics that can be applied in the office or in the field to increase their ability to successfully avoid or control serious incidents. In addition, officers will learn how to employ defensive tactics and use safety equipment in a manner that will minimize the risk of injury to both the officer and the aggressor.

Participants will learn control techniques that are effective and appropriate at all levels of the use of force continuum. These techniques are based upon the Natural Response Defensive Training (N.R.D.T.) that was specifically designed for probation, parole, and community supervision officers and are quickly learned, easily applied and retained, and effectively applied by officers of varying size, strength, experience, and age, irrespective of gender.

Upon completion of the Advanced Officer Safety Training, participants will be able to:

• Identify common risk areas specific to community supervision.
• Demonstrate appropriate application of defensive tactics at all levels of the use of force continuum.
• Demonstrate appropriate use of their authorized safety equipment within the Natural Response Defensive Training (N.R.D.T.) system.
• Demonstrate effective communication and application of N.R.D.T. system in a team situation.
• Articulate both verbally and in writing, the reasons for their use of specific defensive tactics techniques, based upon their use of force continuum.

(2 day training)

This program provides information for administrators regarding the safety issues confronting their officers today, and tools with which they can create effective staff/officer safety programs that also meet the legal guidelines established by the Courts. Many administrators have risen through the ranks of a department that has been fortunate enough not to experience any serious hazardous duty situations. Thus, coupled with the fact that no central repository exists for hazardous duty information or statistics, they feel there are not real threats to their officers. Given the numerous fiscal demands of the agency, safety training and equipment have given way to the everyday demands of the agency.

In this training, administrators will develop their individualized “roadmap” for safety training and equipment selection. They will learn the issues and considerations in tailoring policies and procedures for their agency. They will:

• Learn the Realities of How Parole, Probation, and Community Corrections Personnel are Killed or Injured in the Line of Duty
• Better Understand the Dynamics of Confrontations
• Learn the Five Steps for Developing Effective Safety Training
• Create Their Own “Safety Flow Chart”
• Outline Policies That Do Not Create a “Critical Hesitation” in Their Staff When Responding to a Threat
• Receive Numerous Examples of Policies and Procedures They Can Use in Their Agency
• Explore Safe Building and Office Design Options
• Learn How to Assure Their Safety Training Meets the Legal Challenge Of Being “Recent, Relevant and Realistic.”

Aggressive behavior is one of the most anxiety provoking, yet fundamental behaviors known to man. Increasingly, acts of anger, aggression and violence permeate our schools, public facilities and offices. For most individuals, attempting to deal with angry and aggressive individuals is a source of frustration, anxiety and fear. DEALING WITH AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR is a one-day training that separates aggressive behavior into four identifiable stages and teaches how to deal with each stage. Participants attending the one-day training will learn:

• How you react to anger and aggression
• The stages of anger and aggressive behavior
• Why people get angry
• Recognizing "Danger Behavior"
• Defusing aggressive behavior
• Surviving the physical attack

Each year the number of offenders under supervision with mental health conditions increases. While many of these offenders successfully complete supervision, a significant number of the offenders who have been involved with the killing of probation and parole officers, and mental health and social workers, have a documented history of mental health issues. This two-day specialized training will examine those incidents and provide specific steps officers can take to increase their safety while still providing effective supervision and treatment services.

Upon completion of this training participants will be able to:

• Identify and understand the basic diagnostic categories of psychiatric disorders.
• Recognize the "red flag" indicators of dangerous behaviors associated with mentally disordered offenders.
• Apply the color code of safety awareness, along with the indicators of aggressive behaviors.
• Describe and practice supervision techniques that calm aggressive behaviors and reduce risk of an attack.
• Plan and practice defensive strategies to defend against aggression.

There are many good defensive tactics programs available today however, many of the programs are designed for Police and do not take into consideration the diverse make-up of Parole, Probation and Community Corrections staff. This program looks at how Parole, Probation, and Community Corrections Officers are killed and injured each year, both in the office and in the field. It then provides tactics that officers can apply in these situations that will increase their ability to successfully avoid or control theses situations. During this dynamic training program, officers will learn how to employ defensive tactics, and use whatever safety equipment they normally have, in a manner that will minimize the risk of injury to both the officer and the aggressor.

Participants will learn control techniques that are effective and appropriate at all levels of the use of force continuum. These techniques are based upon the Natural Response Defensive Training System™ that was specifically designed for parole, probation and community corrections personnel. The techniques are designed to be quickly learned, easily applied and retained, and are effectively applied by officers of varying size, strength, experience and age, irrespective of gender.

This program is not designed to take away from, or replace, any defensive tactics training you may have previously received. The techniques are designed to add more tools to your toolbox, and provide you with techniques that, under stress, in a crisis, you can easily retain and effectively apply.

(2 day training : 50 - 100 participants. This training is appropriate for other allied professional agencies (Mental health, Social Services, etc). )

In the post 9/11 environment we have all increased our awareness of safety related hazards in our workplace. Yet, statistics show that terrorism is not the greatest threat. We are most likely to incur violence and attacks from our everyday clientele. This 2-day program provides information and ideas, appropriate for any public agency, on how to maximize workplace safety. From office design to safety procedures, we examine how to increase safety while keeping costs down. Whether new construction or modification of existing space, this program provides procedures, guidelines, and current devices that will enhance safety in the work environment.

By the end of Safe Office Design and Procedures, participants will be able to:

• Develop policies and procedures to enhance staff safety
• Plan and conduct their own in-house safety “audit”
• Create aesthetically pleasing, yet effective, access controls
• Establish effective emergency response procedures

(2 day training - Limited enrollment)

This program looks at the special issues surrounding searches conducted by parole, probation, and community corrections officers. This training provides the most current legal and tactical information regarding search and seizure. In day one of the course participants look at the legal and tactical issues surrounding search and seizure. Topics include:

• Plain View Doctrine
• Composition and Imposition of Search Conditions
• Establishing the Legal Basis for a Search
• Search Approval Considerations
• The Skill of Conducting a Search
• Pre-search Planning
• Gaining Entry
• Security Sweeps
• Dealing with Third Parties
• Effective Use of Law Enforcement
• Post-Search Activities
• Post Search Debriefing
• Evidence Storage
• Report Writing

In day two, participants are involved in live search scenarios during which they have the opportunity to practice the skills learned. Through hands-on participation and video review participants experience the numerous legal and safety issues inherent in conducting searches, and learn how to maximize the safety of all involved.

Upon completion of Safety in Search and Seizure, participants will be able to:

• Express the legal basis for conducting a search
• Develop a sound search plan
• Conduct a safe and effective search
• Demonstrate how to safely secure seized evidence

(4 day training)

In this training participants go through the program outlined above, and then learn the skills of training officers in the legal and safety skills of search and seizure. Like Safety Simulation Training, participants will learn how to conduct search related scenarios in a realistic and safe manner. They will also learn the skills of debriefing the simulations and responding to the numerous legal and tactical issues that arise.

(2-3 day training)

Regardless of how much classroom training an individual has received, one of the true measures of that individual's learning is whether or not he or she can apply what they have learned. The Safety Simulation Training program (SST) represents the latest in safety training concepts specifically tailored for community corrections agencies. This simulation-based training program takes officer safety training from classroom theory to a real world setting. SST is a comprehensive approach to safety training that developed as a continuation of our previously offered lecture and interactive training packages. The goal of SST is to provide current, practical safety training and to deliver this training using cost efficient, state-of-the-art methods and technologies. SST will provide agencies the opportunity for an ongoing dialogue regarding the latest safety issues and continued individualized training development.

After reviewing the philosophy, purpose and logistics of this program, participants are presented with various scenarios. These scenarios simulate field settings, office settings, and home contacts. The backgrounds for each of these scenarios were taken from actual incidents reported by state, federal and county probation and pretrial services officers. One should keep in mind that the goal in simulation-based training is to create as realistic a setting as possible for officers; strive for win-win situations in order to facilitate learning, and constructively critique an officer's performance without being judgmental.

This simulation-based program takes the next logical step in the development of sound and effective safety practices by allowing officers to "put it all together." Quite often, the result is the realization by officers that they still have much to learn. This dynamic training program meets the legal challenge of being “relevant and realistic.”

(3-4 day training)

Our Training of Trainers program provides agency trainers with a detailed and thorough model to conduct simulation-based training in their agency. Instruction is provided to trainers on how to:

1. Create as realistic a setting as possible for each scenario
2. Strive to create win-win situations in order to facilitate learning
3. Constructively critique performance while not being judgmental

As trainers will learn, it is during these debriefing periods that many of the objectives of the session are brought together. Successful debriefing sessions are critical to the success of any simulation-based program. Participants will learn how to effectively explain and discuss theories and concepts so that students have a framework within which they can assess a situation, decide on a course of action and then act.

However, even more than in a classroom setting, effective trainers are the key to success of the program. Just because a trainer is effective in presenting information does not mean they will have the skills to provide effective simulation training. This program provides those skills and teaches how to conduct Safety Simulation Training in a safe, positive, yet dynamic manner, maximizing participant skill retention.

(2 day training : 50 - 100 participants. This training is appropriate for other allied professional agencies)

Mental health and social workers deal daily with hazards and potentially volatile situations. A recent University study revealed that of 1600 workers interviewed 3.3% had been physically assaulted, 23% were threatened with assault and 50% were verbally abused. This 2-day training will examine the realities of how and when mental health & social workers experience hazardous incidents.

This training will provide information to identify, prevent, and respond to issues affecting worker’s safety, and will discuss:

• Liability issues
• The realities of how workers are killed & assaulted
• Strategies for survival
• Dealing with aggressive behavior
• Safety issues in handling emotionally disturbed offenders
• Office safety
• Field safety

By the end of Safety Strategies for Mental Health & Social Workers, participants will be able to:

• Describe the types of hazardous incidents that are most likely to occur
• Describe the three concepts of mental conditioning
• Respond, mentally and physically, to various types of hazardous situations
• Recognize danger behavior and the options for safe resolution
• Apply guidelines for dealing effectively with emotionally disturbed clients

(5 day training)

This five-day program provides a model staff/officer safety training program covering:

• Liability Issues Dealing with Aggressive Behavior
• Officer Victimization
• Office Safety Strategies for Survival Field Safety
• Use of Force Continuum
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
• Safety Issues in Working with Emotionally Disturbed Offenders

Participants identify the training content specific to their agencies needs and develop a section of the training program for presentation. Their activities during the instructor training include developing training goals and writing performance objectives, identification of desired skills and development of steps pertinent to successful demonstration of the skill, development of job task exercises, video taped demonstrations, role play situations, and other appropriate learning activities.

Participants will learn the Tell-Show-Do-Feedback approach to skills training. This approach is based upon the most current research in adult learning. This multi-sensory approach yields the highest retention rate by participants.

(2 day training)

Whether in the office or in the field, probation and parole officers deal daily with community hazards and potentially volatile situations. This 2-day training will examine the myths about how and when community corrections officers experience hazardous incidents. While this is not a hands-on defensive tactics training, this training will provide information to identify, prevent, and respond to issues affecting officer safety, and will discuss:

• Liability Issues Dealing with Aggressive Behavior
• Officer Victimization
• Office Safety Strategies for Survival Field Safety
• Use of Force Continuum
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
• Safety Issues in Working with Emotionally Disturbed Offenders

Participants’ Comments from Previous Trainings:

“I have been in this profession for sometime but this is the best and most informative safety training.”

“I realized that as a ‘seasoned officer’ I have let my guard down some.”

“The personal stories helped illustrate the concepts.”

“I really liked how you stressed that OUR safety is ultimately OUR responsibility!”

“Best workshop/training I have attended!”

“Very valuable training.”

“Excellent refresher.”

“I learned many new concepts.”

“Presenters - Dynamic!”

“Made me realize areas that I need to reevaluate and improve.”

“I will put more thought into my actions.”

(3 day training)

In many agencies officers are becoming more proactive in enforcement endeavors. This program is specifically designed for those officers charged with making arrests, conducting searches, working on special enforcement Task Forces or law enforcement partnership programs, or any officer that wants to receive the highest quality tactical training specifically designed for Parole, Probation and Community Corrections officers. In this program participants will receive instruction on the most current techniques and concepts in building entry, arrest techniques, and personal defense.

Officers will participate in:

• Defensive tactics
• Disarming techniques
• Simulation training
• Live fire training
• Simunitions instruction
• Use of force scenarios
• Tactical entry planning

Upon completion of The Tactical PO participants will be able to:

• Identify and appropriately respond to all levels of threat
• Plan a safe and effective building entry
• Safely take an offender into custody no matter what the level of resistance
• Conduct thorough building and residence searches
• Work effectively with other Law Enforcement agencies
• Develop safe and effective tactical arrest and entry plans