Category Archives: Uncategorized

School Resource Officer ~ (SRO) Certification Course ~

This 2-day course is taught from over 25 yrs. LEO/SRO experience and will provide officers the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a competent SRO in the school environment. Being  an SRO is much more than just moving a police officer from a patrol position to inside a school building. In order to be SUCCESSFUL, School Resource Officers will have to recognize and make changes in their policing mentality, identify their new role, understand the value of available resources and requires specific knowledge of the critical rules and laws that govern school policing. Areas like Miranda, search and seizure, free speech and expression are considerably different in schools than anywhere else. Special populations (autistic and special needs) students, parent interaction, class presentation and many more subjects are covered.

This certification class is specifically designed for TWO DAYS and loaded with pertinent information, not stuffed with filler material simply to charge more for an extra day or three. Simply put, this is the best bang for your buck. Please compare to other SRO courses

 Core Topics

  • Building positive working relationships.
  • Search and Seizure in the school
  • Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Rulings (School).
  • SRO duties and responsibilities
  • E.S.C.A.P.E.- Active shooter guide for (Staff/student)
  • Trends: Cyber-bullying, e-cigarette (vaping), drug trends etc.
  • Strategies to work with autistic
  • Cube philosophy
  • Internet investigative tools (Google, Firefox).
  • Teaching tips and more…

Blog Entry from Scott Byington

On November 2, 2017 we presented two Heroin on Steroids classes in Sandy (Salt Lake City) Utah.  The back to back classes were full at 60 registrations each.  In attendance were patrol officers, narcotic agents, detectives, regulatory agencies, parole/probation officers, corrections, wildlife officers, Forest Service, AG’s office, firefighters, paramedics and more.  Many in attendance said they didn’t realize how dangerous these synthetic opioids are.  There was a lot of good discussion about several recent local cases.

 One of the paramedics said that over the last several months they are using multiple doses of naloxone, sometimes up to 4 doses, to revive heroin overdoses when historically it only took one.  He realized during the class that the patients most likely did not OD on Heroin and that it was probably Fentanyl.  All of the students left the class knowing when they encounter fentanyl they can do it safely.  The highlight of the day was watching the Cubs take the world series, congratulations Cubs and Chicago! 

Financial Intelligence~Terrorism Program

Course objectives :

This 2-day dynamic training program offers an unmatched experience for financial investigators. Enter the financial intelligence cycle and recognize its importance in illicit finance through the following:

  • Identifying the stages of terrorist activity, such as PPF (Planning, Procurement, and Funding), through the analysis of actual terrorist bank account records
  • Utilizing financial intelligence methods to recognize the radicalization process of a jihadist and the red flags that indicate an imminent threat of a terrorist act
  • Leveraging terrorist financing case studies that teach situational awareness techniques in analysis, critical thinking, and investigation skills
  • Examining the material and financial intelligence leads gathered from terrorist operational sites and understanding their impact on identifying the threat
  • Engaging in knowledge transfer sessions with CTF Investigators

Learning outcomes:

  • Be more proficient in financial investigation and the analysis of counter terrorist financing
  • Understanding how financial intelligence can be used in identifying and disrupting terrorist financing
  • Be able to develop financial intelligence to be used in a mission critical plan
  • Utilize financial intelligence in a reactive and proactive operation
  • Understand the typologies and trends of terrorist financing
  • Understand Charities and NGO and how they are used by terrorist organizations
  • Gain access to a unique reservoir of CTF material
  • Current IS, AQ & AQAP fund raising

Grahame White

Currently Grahame White is the Director of Analysis International a bespoke financial intelligence and analytics/training company with a global footprint and client base, across Military, Financial Sector and Law Enforcement. Analysis International is fast becoming recognized as the primary deliverers of the most effective Financial intelligence Training Programmes, with a client base that encompasses Financial Institutions, Regulators and Financial Services Providers across Europe.

Grahame is currently engaged in the development of the first and only Software programme with SAS that creates alerts after identifying Terrorist Cell Indicators within banking activity.  This software is designed to support the Financial Sector in its proactive intelligence effort against Islamic and other forms of Terrorism.

Former Head of European Operations for ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.

Grahame has a substantial network of contacts in the European AML regime having spent two years working closely with senior figures to support their staff and organizations on AML qualifications, training, and staff career development..

Previously a Detective at the National Terrorist Financial Investigations Unit at New Scotland Yard With substantial  Counter Terrorist Financing experience.

Designated financial investigator for Operation Crevice (The fertilizer plot), and 7/7 the suicide attacks on the London Transport Network. Holds a Master’s Degree in Fraud Management. Holds CAMS certificate.

Training Seminar Offered:

Financial Intelligence~Terrorism Program

 

Dr. Cipriano’s Blog Entry from New Mexico Training Site

What a phenomenal seminar we had in Crownpoint, New Mexico.  There were approximately 40 public safety professionals in attendance, predominantly law enforcement professionals, inclusive of police officers, police dispatchers, a chaplain, and a local pastor providing services to Navajo Nation and the various police departments within the Northwestern Part of New Mexico.  Focus of the seminar was on police stress, resiliency cultivation, suicide prevention/intervention, conflict resolution, and cultural sensitivity.  Several attendees participated in the table top exercise and discussion for utilizing stress abatement skills such as: ways to “reframe” (change) internal dialogue following a critical incident or series of critical incidents, the use of deep breathing, the use of visualization techniques, and the use of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) to name a few.

Suicide prevention and intervention tools were also provided and processed via  “dialing in” to particular triggering event(s) in understanding suicidality within the law enforcement population.  Embarrassment and/or humiliation is one of the top catalyst’s for suicidality, in particular suicidality within the law enforcement population.  Peer support and clinical and administrative support were some of the buffers identified, discussed and encouraged to obtain for respective departments and agencies.   To conclude, some of the unique cultural and origins of conflict within law enforcement were processed and reviewed.  They were illustrated for purposes of awareness along with proliferation of management tools in combating conflict as it arises.

Those that attended the seminar were encouraged to utilize the operational, behavioral, and clinical knowledge that was shared from such an esteemed group.  Look forward to seeing you in 2017!

Crownpoint Court

Scott S. Byington

SCOTT S. BYINGTON

Detective Scott S. Byington received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Logistics from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah  in 1998. Scott was hired by Layton City Police Department and graduated from Utah P.O.S.T. Police Academy in 1999. Scott began his career as a patrol officer until 2001 when he was assigned to the traffic division. Scott is a trained accident reconstruction investigator and Emergency Vehicle Operation instructor, he is currently the lead instructor for Layton PD.  Scott was transferred to the detective division in 2003 where he earned the Distinguished Service Award and a Unit Citation Award.  After serving the Layton City Detective Division for 7 years, Scott was assigned to the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force as their first pharmaceutical drug investigator. Scott has been recognized with several Citations of Honor from the Utah Narcotic Officer’s Association and Distinguished Service Awards from the Layton City Police Department.  He has dismantled multiple drug trafficking organizations including a white supremacy pharmaceutical DTO responsible for forging prescriptions and distributing well over 15,000 pills in a three month span.  Scott also identified and dismantled an Oxycodone drug trafficking organization operating in multiple states.  In 2012, Scott was selected by Rocky Mountain HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) as the Drug Enforcement Officer of the Year.

In 2013 Scott organized and was appointed President of the Utah chapter of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), he is the Sergeant at Arms for the Utah Narcotics Officer Association, and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Scott has provided pharmaceutical investigation training for the Utah Narcotics Officer Association, Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project, National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, United States Air Force and Army, National District Attorney’s Association, Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and continuously lectures at regional schools, hospitals, and clinics.

Seminar Offered:

Heroin on steroids: Fentanyl, W-18 and U-47700

Pharmaceutical Drug Crimes

Heroin on steroids: Fentanyl, W-18 and U-47700

This course was designed to educate first responders, administrators, detectives, narcotic agents, investigators, probation/parole agents and correction officers about the exploding trend of synthetic opioids. In jurisdictions already affected by illicit Fentanyl, W-18/carfentanil, and U-47700 this course has become mandatory.  If your agency hasn’t encountered these substances yet, you will!

The course covers what these dangerous substances are, what they look like, where they come from and how to protect yourself from potentially deadly contact.  The instructors will provide information on how to initiate and safely investigate cases involving these substances that are up to 1000 times more potent than other narcotics on the street.

 

This one-day course includes:

A description of pharmaceutical and Illicit Fentanyl and its analogs.

Concerns, issues and safety precautions for law enforcement, investigators and EMT’s. Identifying and protocol for labs/pill press operations.

Using informants and/or undercover officers during the investigation. Known sources and distribution methods.

Notes from Betsy & Dave Smith from Fayetteville!

20160912_0835331It’s been a busy fall for us so far this month!  Sgt. Betsy Smith spent September 6th with a group of Arizona dispatchers at the Mesa Public Safety Training Center teaching “Career and Officer Survival for Dispatchers.”  Both during class and at the breaks we discussed everything from the dramatic rise of officer ambushes to the possibility that our “911” systems can be hacked.  As the public safety dispatcher’s job becomes more complicated and increasingly scrutinized, training events like this one help our civilian personnel stay prepared and informed.

 

9337On September 12 & 13, Dave (“JD Buck Savage”) Smith and Lt. Col. Dave Grossman presented their two day “Mindset Bootcamp” at the Washington County Sheriff’s Department in Fayetteville, AR.  For those of you who have seen Col. Grossman speak, you know he talks about Port Authority Police Officer Chris Amoroso, one of the 37 Port Authority police officers killed that day as Islamic terrorists attacked the World Trade Center with highjacked commercial jets.  It’s been fifteen years since the September 11th, 2001 attacks in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, PA and the police officers who paid the ultimate price that day are still some of the finest examples of what Col. Grossman calls “sheepdogs.”

 

Sheepdog, warrior, guardian, however you see yourself, you know that if you’ve chosen to serve you must have a commitment to service. Dave Smith talks about the ethos, or “habits” of warriors.  Police officers who see themselves as warriors don’t make war, they prevent it.  Smith’s list of “Warrior Ethos” include Duty, Honor, Courage, Loyalty, Strength and Selflessness.  The anniversary of September 11th reminded us just how selfless those police officers and firefighters were who ran toward those burning skyscrapers while everyone else ran away.

 

9646In our Fayetteville “Mindset Bootcamp” we had a group of law enforcement professionals that included police officers, corrections personnel, parole and probation personnel, dispatchers, and forestry officers.  Many had been in shootings, a couple were still recovering physically and emotionally.  The atmosphere for this two day event is incredibly positive, affirming and informative for both the students and the instructors.  We hope to see you at one soon!

Blog Entry from Dave & Betsy Smith~ May 26, 2016

On the Monday following Police Memorial Week the Boise, ID police department hosted a two day “Mindset Bootcamp” featuring Dave “JD Buck Savage” Smith an82442d Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. The ninety attendees included state, county and local law enforcement officers from Idaho and Washington as well as parole officers, dispatchers, corrections personnel, educators and civilian employees from several police agencies.

 

Among the many topics discussed was the 36% increase in police officer deaths by gunfire and how to combat the “war on cops” that American law enforcement officers are faced with as the busy summer months approach82454.  As both Smith and Grossman teach, exemplary public service includes a sharp focus on officer safety.  At a time when police shootings often draw sharp criticism from the media, politicians and some community groups, officers must constantly focus on maintaining their “winning mindset” physically, tactically and even emotionally.  The discussion continued during the breaks and at meals, where ideas and philosophies were shared and debated.  If you haven’t yet attended one of these unique events, check our schedule or contact PG & TI to bring “Mindset Bootcamp” to your own agency.

Blog Entry May 24, 2016 from Rob Cipriano

Fantastic Seminar at Daytona State College—Managing Psychological & Behavioral Manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Military Veteran or Uniformed Officer    Date: 05/23/16  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/Daytona_State_College_Standard_Wordmark.png

By Robert J. Cipriano Jr., Psy.D., ABPP –Licensed Psychologist in Florida; Board Certified in Police & Public Safety Psychology (ABPP)

                                                                                                                                      

 

What are our initial thoughts surrounding someone who is diagnosed with PTSD?  This seminar at Daytona State College encompassed an in-depth discussion of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Signs and Symptoms of the condition, how the condition may manifest, how stigma and stress play a factor in triggering it, and how and what strategies appear to be successful for public safety professional(s) in the field in managing those who may suffer from it.  

The focus of training was on cultivating a more insightful appreciation regarding those who experience post trauma stress reactions & some of the challenges involved with problem solving in everyday life.  Pre-Deployment, Deployment, & Post Deployment challenges were discussed and processed.  A significant portion of the didactic was on discussing the dynamics surrounding suicide prevention/intervention along with threat assessment.  Communication tactics were highlighted, especially the use of primary level empathy, the use of open ended questions early on in dialogue, and the possible use of self-disclosure when attempting to build rapport.  PTSD is a condition of mistrust that manifests in anxiety based reactions; building trust via rapport is an important ingredient that can aid and facilitate that process.

The focus for the day was not only on educating the attendees, but attempting to generate a heightened level of insight into what some individuals and families experience via penetrating the “stigma dynamic” and  “normalizing” certain behavioral and psychological reactions that some individuals experience following a traumatic event.  I believe we were successful as a group in doing just that!