Operational Surveillance Methods

This 2 day course offers students of all experience levels an opportunity to learn, improve or sharpen their tradecraft of surveillance. This course covers best practices and proven methods of conducting covert static and mobile surveillance, while also providing ways to gain intelligence through electronic means.

Throughout the course, a heavy emphasis will be placed on gaining evidence and intelligence for your team’s case and/or operation. We focus on case agent/team leader roles and responsibilities and how to plan a surveillance operation for optimal success. For this course, we spend minimal time in the classroom and maximize our time conducting surveillance through practical scenarios created from real world operations.

At Dark Adaptation, our surveillance instructors are all active law enforcement officers/detectives who have worked in plain clothes surveillance and undercover roles for most of their careers. They are still on high tempo teams that specialize in surveillance of every crime type (human trafficking/smuggling, narcotics, firearms, violent crimes, property crimes, etc.).

Course Information:

Cost: $400

Hours: 9am - 5pm (1 Hour Working Lunch Both Days)

***Pre Requisite - Law Enforcement and Military Only ***

***Contact us if you want to contract a course for your agency. We will work with you to provide the most applicable training for your group. ***

Equipment Needed:

  • Agency unmarked vehicle (Either an unmarked police vehicle or a civilian vehicle owned by the department)

  • Police radio with ear piece

  • Concealable holster with firearm appropriate for plain clothes work

  • Comfortable clothing/shoes

  • Any surveillance equipment currently used

  • Duty gear (Vest and Belt)

  • Water / Food

Course Concepts

  • Static, Mobile, and Electronic Surveillance (Foot, Vehicle, Hybrid)

  • Terminology / Radio Etiquette

  • App-based Voice and Text Communication

  • Tools and Equipment for Vehicles and on Your Person

  • Gaining Evidence to Further an Investigation through Surveillance

  • Preparing and Executing a Surveillance Operation

  • Case Agent Roles and Responsibilities

  • Moving from Surveillance into an Apprehension

  • De-briefing / Evidence Recording for Maximizing Your Case

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