QUESTIONS?
Please contact Matt Nelson at mnelson@ci.richland.wa.us
16 HOUR Class
Richland Police Department Range Facility
3230 Twin Bridges Rd.
Richland, WA 99352
Course Description
This year at the 2025 WSTOA tactical conference and vendor show Snipercraft Northwest will be hosting a 2-day sniper competition. The competition will consist of 8 sniper 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)
Bring your gear with you, there will be 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 warmups or sight-ins so come with your rifle zeroed and ready to shoot!
This event is restricted to active-duty Law Enforcement Snipers.
Go to the WSTOA website to register for the conference and the competition.
If you have any questions, please feel to contact Mike Bertucci at mike@snipercraftnw.com
Required Equipment
- Department issued sniper rifle with optic
- 100 rounds of duty issued ammunition
- Gas Mask
- Tripod
- Range finder
- Full duty callout uniform with pistol
- Boots (no tennis shoes)
- Drag bag or backpack to carry your rifle
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.
Phill has been an adjunct instructor for past Washington State basic sniper courses and for Derrick Bartlett of Snipercraft.
24 HOUR Classes
Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Course Description
This course is aimed at investigators who work with SWAT teams to locate and arrest high-risk suspects and consists of interactive lectures, group discussions, and eight (8) real scenario-based simulation.
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, cell phones, social media and more, effective case development in criminal investigations requires a multifaceted approach. This training course offers a unique blend of physical surveillance techniques and historic cell record analysis, equipping participants with the skills to gather, analyze, and interpret data from both the physical environment and cell record footprints.
Students will learn that when the two are combined, it is a powerful tool not only for apprehension but:
- Identifying and locating co-conspirators
- Finding where the physical evidence went after the crime to help support your case for court (Clothing, Vehicle, Firearms, etc)
- Showing a team where to canvas for video and what direction the suspect(s) fled after the crime
- Identifying and finding potential stash houses and hideouts for narcotic investigations
Learning Objectives
- Understanding Physical Surveillance: Participants will learn the fundamentals of physical surveillance, including observation techniques, situational awareness, and mission planning.
- Introduction to Cell Record Analysis: Data shows that 97% of Americans own cell phones. This course will provide an overview of cell records, including how call detail records (CDRs) work, and their relevance in investigative scenarios.
- Data Correlation Techniques: Participants will explore methods for integrating physical observations on the street with historic cell data to develop comprehensive situational analyses to help gather evidence for a strong case.
- Real-World Application: Through case studies and hands-on exercises, students will practice combining physical surveillance methods with cell record analysis to create actionable intelligence.
Required equipment
- UC or unmarked vehicle. Class will be capped at 24 bodies. A maximum of 12 vehicles.
- A cell phone that can run the application: Zello
- GPS Navigation for vehicle (can be a second cell phone)
- Headphones
- Plain clothes and a way to safely but covertly carry firearm
Instructors
Detective Daniel Yagi has seventeen years of law enforcement experience. He has directly been involved with the investigation, case development, and mission planning of over fifty high profile cases ranging from homicides and robbery series to gang violence and narcotic cases.
Officer Erin Lai has nine years of law enforcement experience and has spent more than half of her career so far in the Special Investigations Unit where she gained extensive experience in surveillance, online investigations, and undercover operations. She has participated in the successful investigation and apprehension of numerous violent criminals, including several out-of-state missions that involved undercover operations, physical surveillance, and arrests.
Visit their website at www.cypheropsgroup.com for more training opportunities.
Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Course Description
This course is aimed at SWAT officers who assist other investigative units with locating and arresting high-risk suspects.
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.
40 HOUR Classes
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Course Description
**THIS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION EXPIRES FOUR YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE CERTIFICATION COURSE. **
The Less Lethal Impact Projectiles Instructor Course is a train the trainer course designed to familiarize attendees with less lethal weapons, impact munitions and deployment tactics. Topics to be covered include instructor development techniques, less lethal force philosophy, case law, policy issues, technology overview, deployment tactics, product demonstrations, and less lethal practical scenarios.
The Flash Sound Diversionary Device Instructor Course is a train the trainer course designed to familiarize attendees with flash sound diversionary devices (FSDD). Topics to be covered include history of diversionary devices, definitions, and nomenclature, legal aspects of diversionary devices, policy issues, preparation and deployment of diversionary devices, and practical application.
The Chemical Agent Instructor Course is a train the trainer course designed to familiarize attendees with chemical munitions. Topics to be covered include history, products and characteristics, delivery systems, hazards, decontamination, gas masks, and general tactics as they relate to the use of chemical agents.
NOTICE
The information necessary to present instruction regarding less lethal munitions, flash sound diversionary devices, and chemical agents is contained within the curricula of this course. The ability to teach others and correctly convey the course content is an individual skill. Completing this NTOA course of instruction is not an endorsement of any individuals teaching skill or experience. Instructors should ensure that they have met the necessary requirements to instruct the subject matter as required by local or state mandates. Further, instructors should be approved to teach the materials by their agency head or designee.
Required Equipment
- Eye and ear protection.
- Gloves
- Long sleeve shirt or battle top
Instructor
NTOA cadre.
Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Course Description
This course is for officers assigned to a Tactical or Negotiations Team, Tactical/CNT Team Leaders, and Tactical Team Commanders.
This 40-hour course will combine classroom instruction with group and practical exercises. Decision making strategies for the deployment of a tactical team during a hostage situation as well as resolution strategies and effective integration with CNT will be discussed and trained. Proper mindset and communication and team systems will be core concepts in the course. Topics covered include but are not limited to:
- Dynamic movement and mindset
- Principles of hostage rescue
- Crisis and deliberate assault planning
- Interaction with CNT & negotiation strategies
- Multiple force on force evolutions
- Incident debriefs
Required Equipment
- PDF of the class materials will be provided to WSTOA for dissemination to students.
- Note taking material
- All individually issued tactical gear to include radio and communications equipment
- Rifle and pistol with simunition/UTM conversions
- 250 rounds simunition/UTM marking cartridges
- Face/head/neck and wraparound eye protection for force on force drills is MANDATORY! A half mask that can attach to the helmet and in conjunction with wraparound eye protection is recommended.
Optional Equipment
- 2 inert NFDD training bangs.
- 2 Training NFDD hulls with minimum of 10 training reloads
- If you are assigned as a sniper on your team, 15 blanks for your bolt gun/AR10. I will place you in the sniper role at times during force-on-force scenarios.
Intructor Bio
A retired law enforcement administrator with more than 27 years of law enforcement experience and active SWAT team member for 25 years. During his career, Wayne has responded to, supervised, or been in command of hundreds of SWAT operations, including high risk warrant service, barricaded suspects, armed suicidal subjects, and hostage situations. Prior to law enforcement, Wayne served 4 years on active duty as a ground surveillance systems operator in the U.S. Army, including deployment to Southwest Asia for 6 months during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Currently he is the Undersheriff at the Flathead County (MT) Sheriff’s Office (2019 to present) and SWAT Incident Commander for the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team (2019 to present). Wayne received the Medal of Valor for actions taken during a SWAT Operation and was named SWAT Officer of the Year and Police Officer of the Year by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Wayne is a certified force science analyst and instructor in multiple disciplines related to tactics and SWAT. Wayne has also had two published articles on SWAT procedures and operations in a national publication, “The Tactical Edge.” Wayne holds a M.A. in Executive Leadership from Liberty University.
3 Day Tactical Performance Lab
Training Location
Three Rivers Convention Center
7016 W Grandridge Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Course Description
This 3-day Tactical Performance Lab is meant to objectively assess officers physical and shooting capabilities, while going further in depth on shooting fundamentals (both static drills and dynamics drills)
This will NOT be a smoke session, but will have job-specific tests to identify weaknesses, and highlight proficiencies. The class will teach officers how to train with purpose, similar to a professional athlete, while focusing on the specific job requirements of a SWAT operator, both shooting and fitness-related.
Day 1 is spent teaching human performance foundations and the practical application of athletic movement needed to perform well on the range and in live situations. Students will get hands-on experience and direct feedback from expert strength coaches. Day 1 also includes testing fitness metrics and their counterparts on the range.
Day 2 (Pistol) and Day 3 (Rifle) are full days of training foundational movements and techniques while progressing through various dynamic shooting drills.
Required Equipment
- Day 1
- Fitness Gear (Shirt, Shorts, Tennis Shoes)
- Primary/Secondary Weapon: 50 Rounds Each
- Plate Carrier (No Helmet Needed)
- Range Attire
- Pen/Paper
- Water Bottle
- Lunch
- Day 2
- Pistol + 500 Rounds
- Belt with Holster and Mag Pouches
- Range Attire
- Water Bottle
- Lunch
- Day 3
- Rifle + 500 Rounds
- Belt with Holster and Mag Pouches
- Range Attire
- Water Bottle
- Lunch
Instructors
Jake Labhart – Jake, a former Army Airborne Infantryman, founded In Extremis Performance after his military service. Focused on law enforcement special operations units at all levels, he has spent the last 5 years primarily with federal teams, creating human performance programs to boost effectiveness and longevity. With a Doctorate from Campbell University, Jake designs research- backed fitness tests and shooting assessments for operational units while developing training pipelines. Actively involved in the tactical and human performance industries, Jake serves on the TTPOA board and spearheads a health and wellness initiative for Texas law enforcement.
Aaron Dugger – A Texas native, Dugger collaborates hands-on and remotely with Federal, State, and Local LE Special Operations Teams. With almost a decade of experience in Division 1 and Division 2 collegiate football Strength and Conditioning, including stints at Oklahoma State, Memphis, and Southeastern Oklahoma State, he brings a wealth of expertise in training high performers in dynamic settings. Holding a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science from Oklahoma State University and certifications from CSCCa and NSCA, Dugger’s commitment to LE Special Operations shines through his continuous pursuit of enhancing human performance.