This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to instruct their department members in the use of less lethal weapons in patrol, custody, tactical, and crowd control environments. This course provides legislative update information with regarding use of force and the deployment of less lethal munitions in a crowd control environment (AB 48).

This course is designed to provide law enforcement first responders assigned to a supervisory/leadership role as well as tactical operators/supervisors with the tools and techniques to make informed and effective decisions during critical incidents. Instruction will include techniques for identifying important characteristics in a developing incident, recognizing factors that influence the event, establishing priorities, and taking action to prevent escalation, promote de- escalation, and begin intervention toward a successful resolution.

Course Purpose:  The purpose of this course is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to and manage demonstrations, protests, and riots. Through a comprehensive exploration of leadership principles, tactical strategies, and practical exercises, participants will gain the confidence and capability to navigate complex and dynamic situations while prioritizing the safety of individuals and safeguarding property.

At the conclusion of this one-day course, attendees will:

Understand the role and responsibilities of supervisors and incident commanders in responding to demonstrations, protests, and riots.

• Identify and analyze leadership challenges inherent in crisis situations, including the recognition of aggravating and mitigating factors
• Develop effective planning strategies encompassing mission definition, threat assessment, incident command structures, communication protocols, and media relations
• Assess crowd dynamics, including the distinctions between demonstrations, protests, and riots, and recognize behaviors indicative of escalating situations
• Apply tactical decision-making processes to deploy resources, manage crowds, and intervene in accordance with legal and ethical considerations, emphasizing proactive approaches and adherence to established guidelines and laws

This 16-hour course is designed for law enforcement command staff, supervisors, team leaders, and officers/operators.  During this course, an emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills specific to law enforcement tactical operations to maximize success while minimizing liability exposure.  Instruction consists of classroom lectures covering:

• Legal issues
• Case law
• Lessons learned from tactical events
• Case studies of tactical incidents
• Instructors’ experience investigating and defending the actions of law enforcement officers and agencies

This 40-hour course will address the various duties and responsibilities associated with the assignment as a Tactical Team Commander. 

This 40-hour course is designed for law enforcement SWAT Team Leaders. It is not about tactics, but rather the fundamental doctrinal principles from which all tactics are derived. The concepts, principles, and methodologies discussed have universal applications and can be applied to any unfolding dynamic tactical problem regardless of the size or nature of the event. Skills learned will be reinforced through a series of case studies, games, and practical exercises. Instruction consists of classroom discussion, student involvement by way of group exercises, table top exercises, presentations, and case reviews of tactical incidents. This course focuses on tactical decision-making as well as the guidelines of Penal Code Section 13514.1 and the POST SWAT Operational Guidelines and Standardized Training Recommendations (2019). Please DO NOT bring any weapons or tactical equipment to this course.

This handgun and carbine course is designed for personnel responsible for the firearms training for their SWAT Team or other tactical units.  CATO’S Firearms Instructor Course supports the recommendations under Section 10.2 of CA POST SWAT Guidelines and Penal Code section 13514.1(d).

Active shooter incidents have inherent leadership challenges, many of which arise with the first responding supervisors. This course aims to provide leaders with an analysis of active shooter incidents and introduce response techniques to establish command and control over the incident. Through a series of debriefs and decision-making (tabletop) exercises, students will learn principled-based decision-making models to manage the natural inertia of an active shooter incident. This course was designed with the assistance of multiple responders nationwide. Our research, site tours, and conversations with responders have identified leadership-related issues outside basic active shooter response challenges.

Chemical Agent Instructor addresses multiple facets of chemical agents to include safety, training, proper deployment, tactical applications, decontamination, administrative duties, and liability.

This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to instruct their department members in the deployment of diversionary devices. This course contains legislative update information regarding Penal Code section 835a, AB 48, and AB 481.

High-Risk Unified Commander (HRUC) was developed to provide front-line supervisors, public safety executives, and training officers with contemporary and realistic strategies, tactics, and related information they can then use to simultaneously “stop the killing, dying, and crying.” This one-day class reduces friction when employing Joint or Unified Command when responding to large-scale, high-risk events.

• Interactive course w/ tabletops
• Lessons Learned from past events
• 50% Fire/EMS attendees
• 50% LE attendees

This course is designed to address legal issues specifically for tactical teams or specialized units. The class will address a number of contemporary issues such as Penal Code § 835a, Senate Bill 230 and its effects on tactical operations, recent case law, current legal trends, and debrief of recently adjudicated cases to include lessons learned relevant to law enforcement officers and tactical operations. No tactical equipment is required for this course.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS: The course cadre is led by Dana Vilander, a 32 year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he spent over 25 years at the Special Enforcement Bureau working K9, SWAT, Air Rescue/SAR and SWAT Paramedic.  Dana has more than 25 years training both U.S. and international tactics, tactical medicine, rope access and rescue, and helicopter operations.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING: 

• Bump helmet
• Harness
• Gloves
• Any agency issued rope equipment
• Tactical gear to include weapons and NVGs if available

TRAVEL AND LODGING: This course will begin at 0800 hours on the first day and conclude at approximately 1700 hours on the last day.

This course is designed for tactical teams or specialized units that regularly conduct tactical training.  It will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills to create a comprehensive training platform, from conducting Training Needs Assessments, creating lesson plans, developing a training safety officers program, to completing training after-action reports.  Students will perform several group exercises and receive sample forms capable of agency personalization.