Undercover narcotic operations are a necessary tool to effectively target drug dealers operating in North America. Successful undercover operations allow law enforcement officers to covertly gather evidence of a crime or interrupt the planning of criminal activities before the suspects have an opportunity to commit the crime. The risk is present that subjects of criminal activity will attempt to challenge the officer’s identity, encourage the officer to commit a crime, divulge information of an intended upcoming violent offense, and seek an opportunity to assault and/or steal from the officer.

This course will emphasize the importance of being mentally prepared for an undercover assignment. During all operations, a good undercover officer mentally prepares for the worst-case scenario and has an action plan.

Officers will be exposed to up-to-date undercover audio/video recordings that will demonstrate various teaching points. Officers will participate in case studies and see videos where gunfire erupted during an undercover operation. Case studies will be presented of all undercover officers killed in the line of duty in the United States within the past thirty years. Exposure to these incidents can aid the course attendees by preventing history from repeating itself.

The psychological challenges faced by undercover officers can have severe, long-term impacts on the well-being of the officer. Information will be provided on the psychological “red flags” and stressors associated with undercover work.