8 HOUR BLOCK

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Training Location
Kennewick Police Department Range
Coordinates 46.14359 N, 119.19597 W
(Drive down the gravel road to the Y and follow signs for PD range)

Course Description
As a SWAT operator, it is imperative that your firearms efficiency and proficiency stay in the 90th percentile in Law Enforcement. Performance on demand during high stress and long drawn out situations can be both physically and mentally taxing. Your ability to operate and manipulate both your rifle and handgun during these operations is mission critical. This 8 hour course will give operators a “tune up” on what it takes to be able to meet or maintain a high level of performance standards on both weapon systems. You will work through a series of shooting drills and manipulation drills that will refine and enhance your ability as a SWAT Operator.

Required Equipment

  • Duty gun and holster with minimum 3 magazines
  • Patrol rifle and sling with minimum 3 magazines
  • 400 rounds ammunition for each platform
  • Ball Cap
  • Sharpie Marker
  • Hydration

Instructor Bio
Jordan Spencer

Jordan Spencer is a Chief Deputy with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office where he currently oversees the training and firearms division. During his 16-year career, he has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Marine Deputy, Search and Rescue Incident Commander, Patrol Sgt. and Training Coordinator/Rangemaster. He has also served as the lead firearms and a chemical munitions instructor as a member of the Lower Columbia SWAT Team. Jordan has been responsible for conducting his agencies firearms, force on force, taser, less lethal and Use of Force instruction over the course of his career. Over the last several years Jordan has taken his agency’s firearms training from static stand and shoot training to enhanced live-fire tactics and increased proficiency. He started his agencies Active Shooter Response program and well as live fire vehicle tactics and CQB programs. Jordan chairs his agencies Use of Force Review Board and is responsible for updating his agencies Use of Force policies.

Jordan holds instructor certifications through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, NRA, IALEFIA, UTM, DefTec, NLEFIA and WSLEFIA. He holds instructor and armorer certificates in Advanced Handgun, Rifle, Shotgun, Subgun, Live Fire Shoothouse, Low Light, Less Lethal, Chemical Munitions, NFDD, Reality Based Training, Vehicle Engagements and Pistol Optics. He is a nationally certified Firearms Instructor Subject Matter Expert (SME) through the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Association (NLEFIA) where he is also a staff instructor. Jordan also started a private training company, Stratagem Firearms Training LLC, to teach operator and instructor level courses to Police/Military and the civilian market.

Jordan has been a firearms instructor for over 10 years and has a passion and drive as an instructor and teaches courses across the U.S. and Canada through NLEFIA and Stratagem Firearms Training LLC. He also attends regular training courses as a student in order to maintain proficiency in an effort to advance and pass along his knowledge and passion for firearms training and instruction. Jordan is a graduate of the Force Science Institute and holds a BA in Criminal Justice.

16 HOUR BLOCKS

Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room B

Course Description
This course focuses on the integration of negotiator elements during SWAT operations which require voice to voice/talk from cover negotiations. Classroom instruction will further cover basic negotiations fundamentals for entry operators to establish and continue dialogue until a CNT element is in place. Topics covered include but are not limited to; an active listening refresher, mental health considerations, transition of the negotiation from entry operators to negotiators, integration of CNT personnel in a forward element, CNT deployment planning and training considerations, and CNT equipment capabilities and limitations.  This course culminates in a case study of a Washington State Patrol SWAT response to a vehicle barricade involving a voice to voice/talk from cover negotiation with an armed suspect.

Practical exercises consisting of back to back negotiations exercises, voice to voice/talk from cover exercises focusing on establishing dialogue and the transition to negotiators, as well as the pre-mission planning and training using CNT resources.

Students will be able to understand fundamentals of crisis negotiations, utilizing negotiators in a forward element, as well as the planning and training requirements and best practices.

Required Equipment

  • Note taking material
  • Cell Phone

Instructor Bio
Torson Iverson is the Washington State Patrol SWAT Crisis Negotiations Team Leader, currently assigned as a sergeant to the Field Operations Bureau in District 3 – Yakima. Torson has served with WSP since 2012, and as a WSP crisis negotiator since 2017. Torson has responded to over 120 callouts with both Washington State Patrol SWAT and the Yakima Valley Crisis Response Unit, negotiating with numerous suicidal or barricaded subjects. Torson is a U.S. Army veteran and deployed during OEF in 2011 conducting military police operations.

Stephen Robley is the Washington State Patrol SWAT Crisis Negotiations Assistant Team Leader, currently assigned as a sergeant to the Field Operations Bureau – District 8 Port Angeles. Stephen started his career with WSP in 1999 and has been a WSP crisis negotiator since 2020. Stephen has responded to over 45 callouts, and regularly teaches a High Risk Calls course at the Washington State Patrol Academy. Stephen retired from the United States Coast Guard, serving as a Boatswains Mate and Maritime Enforcement Specialist in Mississippi, Alaska, and Oregon.

Training Location
Richland Police Department Range Facility
3230 Twin Bridges Rd.
Richland, WA 99352

Course Description
This year at the 2024 WSTOA tactical conference and vendor show Snipercraft Northwest will be hosting a 2 day sniper competition. The competition will consist of 8sniper events/courses of fire over the 2 days (4 courses of fire each day). There will be points assigned to each target/course of fire. At the end of the 2 days the point totals will be added up and there will be prizes awarded for the top 4 shooters in the competition.

Although this is a competition, the focus will be on training. All courses of fire will come from a variant of a police sniper shooting that has taken place by a police sniper somewhere in the country.

Courses of fire will take place in the range of 50-500 yards (Rangefinders will be allowed)

Required Equipment

  • Department issued sniper rifle with optic
  • 100 rounds of duty issued ammunition
  • Gas Mask
  • Tripod
  • Range finder
  • Full duty call out uniform with pistol
  • Boots (no tennis shoes)
  • Drag bag or backpack to carry your rifle

Bring your gear with you, there will have an equipment check prior to the start of the competition. Those without the required equipment will not be allowed to compete.

There will be no warm ups or sight-ins so come with your rifle zeroed and ready to shoot!

This event is restricted to active duty Law Enforcement Snipers.

The event will take place Tuesday March 26th and Wednesday March 27th. This will give snipers a chance to attend the vendor show and debriefs on Monday the 25th!

If you have any questions, please feel to contact Mike Bertucci at mike@snipercraftnw.com

Instructor Bios

Mike Bertucci (Co-Owner/Lead Trainer)
Mike was born and raised in Washington State. He grew up and spent most of his life in the Northwest. After serving in the United States Air Force, he later went on to get his bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University.

Mike worked in law enforcement as a police officer for 25 years. During his time as a police officer he served in the role of patrol officer, field training officer, detective, union president, patrol supervisor, narcotics supervisor and special operations supervisor. In addition to his normal police duties, he spent 21 years assigned to the Valley SWAT team up in the Northwest as a police sniper. During his time on the team as a Sniper Team Leader, he planned and participated in over 1,000 sniper missions.

Mike is currently the Washington State Tactical Officer’s Association (WSTOA) Sniper Advisor, as well as the American Sniper Association (ASA) region 5 representative for the Northwest (AK, ID, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA, WY). He has also been the lead instructor for past Washington State basic and advanced sniper schools and is an adjunct instructor for Derrick Bartlett (ASA President) and his sniper training company (Snipercraft) out of Florida.

Phil Glover (Co-Owner/Lead Trainer)
Phil was born and raised in Washington State, and has spent his entire life in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Phil graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Society and Justice, and began his law enforcement career shortly thereafter.

Phil has been a police officer for 29 years; serving as a patrol officer, field training officer, firearms instructor, major crimes detective, narcotics detective, and patrol sergeant. Additionally Phil has served on the reginal Valley SWAT team for 25 years; the last 21 years as a sniper and sniper team leader.

Phil has been an adjunct instructor for past Washington State basic sniper courses and for Derrick Bartlett of Snipercraft.

Training Location
Kennewick Police Department
211 W 6th Ave.
Kennewick, WA 99336

Course Description
This class is geared towards patrol officers. Topics covered will include proper mindset, safety priorities and how they inform tactical decision making. Day 1 will focus on slow and methodical building searches. Day 2 will cover dynamic clearing geared towards hostage rescue. Many hostage situations start at the patrol level. Training will address what constitutes a hostage situation and steps officers can take when confronted with these types of situations.

Required Equipment

  • Sims handgun and/or sims rifle bolt with 200 rounds
  • Simunitions safety gear
  • Patrol belt/patrol external carrier
  • Flashlight

Instructor Bio
Rob Riggles has 25 years of law enforcement, with 23 years on patrol. He is currently the FTO Coordinator for the Spokane Police Department. Rob has been on SWAT since 2006 and is currently a Team Leader on the Spokane Police Department’s SWAT Team. Rob is an instructor in multiple areas including patrol tactics and patrol active shooter response. Rob is also an instructor for WSTOA.

24 HOUR BLOCKS

Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room A

Course Description
WSTOA is offering Advanced SWAT at the 2024 Conference. This course will cover the following topics – Bus Assaults, Vehicle Assault / Takedown, Night Vision systems, Hostage Rescue Planning, Team Leader / Assistant Team Leader roles and responsibilities. There will be classroom presentations and practical application for all topics listed.

Required Equipment

  • Helmet
  • Eye protection and Simunition Mask
  • Plate carrier or Heavy Vest (Call out vest)
  • Team training uniform
  • Gloves
  • Rifle with blue bolt or “simunition only” rifle
  • Simunition Pistol
  • 500 rounds of rifle simuniton
  • 100 rounds of pistol simunition
  • Night vision goggle or monocular
  • IR laser for rifle
  • Mechanical breaching tools (whatever your team uses)

Instructor
The course will be taught by WSTOA’s instructor cadre.

Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room D

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Date
Tuesday to Thursday, March 26th to 28th

Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room B

Course Description
As our industry continues to diligently mitigate risk to officers and citizens, SWAT Teams are being tasked with seeking improved methods to performing historically dangerous operations. Covert surveillance capabilities can be a key component to the success of non-typical SWAT missions and help increase the viability of SWAT officers for use by their agencies in a wider spectrum of tasks. Improved surveillance techniques will establish avenues for increased readiness and threat mitigation in operational areas such as; Narcotics Related Warrants and Arrests, Fugitive Apprehension and Dignitary Protection. This course will focus on the basic principles of surveillance techniques and working to incorporate those principles into SWAT operations. There will be 8 hours dedicated to Vehicle Take Down and Assault operations. The curriculum is geared toward the SWAT Team member with little exposure to covert surveillance techniques, however all Commissioned LEOs and U.S. military personnel are welcome.

The 24-hour course will be a combination of classroom instruction and practical field exercises.

Topics of instruction include:

  • Vehicle Take Away and Surveillance
  • Vehicle Takedown Coordination/Techniques
  • Vehicle Assaults
  • Surveillance on Foot
  • Covert Arrest Team Tactics
  • Static Surveillance
  • Counter-Surveillance Considerations
  • Integrating with and Supplementing Investigative Units

Required Equipment

  • UC or unmarked vehicle (if available)
  • Plains Clothes
  • Optional Equipment:
  • Computer
  • Vehicle GPS
  • Computer
  • Camera
  • Binocular

Instructor
Chris Munn works for the Tacoma Police Department and is currently assigned to the Special Investigations unit, which is a plain clothes narcotics/surveillance unit. In the past year, his unit has performed surveillance on and arrested over 60 violent suspects. He is also an assistant team leader on the Tacoma Police Department SWAT team.

32 HOUR BLOCK

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room C

Course Description
Innovative tactics and tried-and-true techniques are the hallmark of this course which is designed for individuals assigned the responsibility to teach all law enforcement personnel in immediate deployment/rapid intervention techniques. This is a train-the-trainer course. Topics to be covered include an historical overview of active shooter situations including school shootings, immediate deployment/rapid intervention tactics, barricade-hostage rescue concepts and instructional techniques. Simunitions weapons will be used in field training exercises.

Required Equipment

  • Law Enforcement I. D.
  • Laptop is helpful to the student, but not mandatory. Student notebooks will be made available via Dropbox.
  • Soft body armor (patrol vest)
  • Boots
  • Marking cartridge protection equipment, including:
    • Marking cartridge approved full face mask
    • Throat protection
    • Groin protection
  • Gloves
  • Rain gear (weather dependent)
  • Training weapon and 9mm marking rounds (150)
  • Primary entry weapon (SMG, Shotgun)
  • Secondary weapon (Pistol)
  • Comfortable and appropriate clothing for extended practical exercises
  • NO LIVE FIRE!

Optional Equipment (Highly Recommended)

  • Light mount for weapons
  • Load bearing vest

Instructor
Michael Wiley is currently the Training Coordinator for the Lakewood (WA) Police Department.  He is an instructor in various disciplines such as Less Lethal, Firearms (Rifle/Pistol), NFDDs, Chemical Agents, and Active Shooter.  Michael teaches for WSTOA and NTOA.  Michael has 20 years of military experience, 20 years of law enforcement experience and 3 combat deployments.

40 HOUR BLOCK

Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Meeting Room D

Course Fee is $600

Course hours will be 1300 – 2300 each day.

Course Description
This course addresses the entire spectrum of Night Vision Training and use from the LEO perspective.  Classroom instruction will cover the Night Vision System and why all components are critical. In addition, special considerations for LE during SWAT missions as well as recommended policy and practices. Topics covered include but are not limited to; Courtroom testimony, integration of K9, use of robots/drones/pole cams, NVG driving of armored vehicles, LE Identification issues and gear setup, use of ballistic shields, Defensive Tactics and current case law related to LE use of NVG.

Range drills will expose weaknesses and strengths of using night vision for slow clears to hostage rescue and will cover the following: Comparative contrast between current NV and laser systems, Understanding the importance of power as it relates to light and atmospheric barriers, Zeroing procedures, IR engagements of low and high percentage threat zones, IR to white light transitions for discrimination and identification, How engagement and application under NVG’s varies, shooting around intermediate barriers and barricades

Students will be able to understand the importance of every facet of night vision as a system and articulate the appropriate requirements to their chain of command.

They will be able to zero and explain various zeroing techniques to their peers, and the integration of NVGs into team training and missions regardless of TTP’s.

Officers will have a better understanding of the advantages of tactical police operations conducted within the IR spectrum.

Required Equipment

  • Rifle / Subgun with 1000 rounds of ammunition. 3 magazines minimum, 5 dummy rounds.
  • IR Illuminator/Laser – Laser should be Visible AND IR
  • Duty Pistol with 1000 rounds of ammunition, 3 magazines minimum, 5 dummy rounds
  • IR/White pistol light or dedicated white light on the handgun
  • NVG & Helmet with mount. (Make sure the two interface please)
  • Simunition Upper/Bolt for your carbine.
  • 250 Rounds marking cartridge for your primary weapon and 50 for your secondary. (If you don’t have pistol conversions, it’s no problem)
  • Appropriate duty belt with mag pouches.
  • Body armor. With load bearing vest, carrier, chest rig or whatever to carry extra magazines and GAS MASK.
  • Eye and Ear Protection
  • 5 Chem Lights, any color. Visible, not IR
  • Head Lamp or helmet light
  • Anti-Fog / Cat Crap
  • Lens Paper/Cloth
  • Note taking material
  • Training TQ and Pressure Dressing
  • Spare batteries for optics, lasers and lights.
  • Flex Cuffs

Instructor
Bill Blowers – Tap-Rack Tactical, LLC

PO Box 971, Puyallup, WA 98371

(253) 318-4972

Bill has been serving since 1986 when he joined the US Army as a 19D. After six years, he left the Army as a Section Sergeant to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. He has held positions in Patrol, Detectives and Training. He retired from Law Enforcement after 25.5 years of service as a Sergeant, with 22 of those years on SWAT. He is the owner and lead instructor for Tap-Rack Tactical, LLC, a business he started in 2006 to bring outstanding training to LE and Military in the topics of tactics, weapons and leadership.

Bill was assigned to the SWAT team in 1995. He has served as a Sniper, ballistic shield carrier, breacher, entry team member, team training coordinator, assistant team leader and team leader. Bill has successfully planned or participated in over 1500 SWAT missions including high risk warrants, barricaded subjects and Hostage Rescue. His team has a service population of approx. 500,000. He has well over 5000 hours of documented SWAT training and has personally trained hundreds of officers from all over the United States and Canada. In addition to training SWAT units, Bill has run High Risk Warrant service courses for Narcotics Task Forces, Special units and open courses for hundreds of Narcotics Detectives.

He has been a district representative for the WSTOA, and he is, or was, a member of numerous professional organizations to include; NTOA, WSNIA, WSVIA, IALEFIA & ILEETA. Bill taught at the Washington State Basic SWAT school for approx. 7 years, topics included high risk warrant service and barricaded subjects. He helped write the curriculum and manual of instruction and assisted in developing the Advanced SWAT course during his tenure. He has also been asked to teach Carbine user and active shooter courses for the State of Washington. He holds numerous instructor certifications in a variety of SWAT related topics such as Firearms, Night Vision and Tactics. Students have consistently rated Bill as an outstanding instructor who knows the material and delivers it with unsurpassed passion.

Feel free to contact Bill for a list of references, a detailed transcript and for current course fees. He can be contacted by e-mail at bill@tap-rack.com or phone @ 253-318-4972.