Ok ahoma Sheriff - National Center for Biomedical Research and

Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association
Ok ahoma Sheriff
The Official Magazine for Oklahoma Sher iffs and their Supporters
Training Program Offers Specialized Career Path for Law Enforcement by: Julie Cavin. NCBRT
A specialized career path for law enforcement professionals is now offered through the Law Enforcement Terrorism
Certification Program (LETCP). This program provides an avenue for state and local jurisdictions to identify and utilize
appropriate training related to high-consequence events, either natural or man-made. The LETCP was recently
developed by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS), Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement
Education and Training (CLEET) and the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT), Academy
of Counter-Terrorism on behalf of the National Domestic Preparedness ConsOliium (NDPC).
The LETCP offers three levels of certification: basic, intermediate and advanced. Each level of certification includes
training requir,ed for all participants and offers separate tracks within the program to address specific needs of the patrol
officer, crime scene investigator and special response units.
For example, the NCBRT offers the WMD Advanced Tactical Operations course on the special response unit track at
the advanced certification level. This course provides tactical commanders, operators and support personnel with the
knowledge, skills and abilities to plan and implement a tactical law enforcement response to a chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear and explosive incident. Participants, acting as members of integrated tactical teams, implement the
course objectives and strategies during practical exercises designed to simulate WMD events.
Another course offered in the program is CLEET's Rapid Response to Active Shooter (RRAS) course. This class is
included in the intennediate certification level for both the patrol officer and special response unit tracks. It is designed
to prepare first responding officers to isolate, distract and neutralize an active shooter through classroom instruction and
practical exercises, using simulated force-on-force scenarios. Infonnation and tactics on shooting and moving
techniques, threshold evaluation and the concepts and principles of team movements are addressed. Preparing for and
executing various room entry techniques, approaching and breeching crisis sites, team rescuing tactics, improvised
explosive devises and post engagement priorities are also discussed .
The LETCP curriculum includes both web-based and instructor-led training, which includes mobile and residential
training. Each of the courses offered in the training program have been either DHS-certified or are federal or state
courses approved through DHS. Each course is also offered at no cost to the participant.
"With consistent focus on enhancing our state and jurisdictional homeland security, this program provides an avenue to
do so in a directed approach for the officer and agency," says Steve Williams, NCBRT Operations and Plans Associate
Director.
The LETCP will augment the current credentialing system already implemented in the state of Oklahoma. In addition to
obtaining the Law Enforcement Terrorism Certification, the training hours can be transferred to CLEET's Advanced
Law Enforcement Certification program and eventually college credits towards a degree.
The entire certification program takes anywhere from one to six years to complete, depending upon the participant's
current level of education and experience. The state of Oklahoma is preparing a multi-year training schedule to meet the
anticipated needs of the required training. Most of the training is mobile and will be brought to the state. The residential
training programs, which are highly technical and require special facilities to conduct, will provide training at the
training provider's facilities. In these cases, the training provider will cover travel, lodging and per diem costs for those
attending.
"This training will provide additional tools for law enforcement officers in their mission of providing a safer and more
secure environment for the citizens of Oklahoma," says Steve Emmons, CLEET Interim Director. "It is only through
these training partnerships that officers advance their knowledge and expertise to fight the threat of high-consequence
events."
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Law Enforcement Preparedness Training Initiative (LEPTI)
To kick off the training program, a Law Enforcement Preparedness Training Initiative
(LEPTI) was held at the Moore Norman Technology Center in Norman, Okla., Sept. 13­
15. This event provided an overview of the program and initial training from various
training providers in one location. Participants had the opportunity to earn up to 24 hours
of training toward their certification during the three-day event.
"I help train our division to respond to terrorism related incidents, so the Law
Enforcement Preparedness Training Initiative is a great opportunity for me to widen my
knowledge base and for me to learn the newest techniques for teaching those subjects,"
says Eric Hanson, a Lieutenant with the Cleveland County Sheriff.
About OHS
Recognizing the need for coordinated preparedness and security efforts after 9111 , the Oklahoma Legislature passed
Senate Joint Resolution 42 in February 2002 and the Office of Interim Oklahoma Homeland Security Director was
created. A small staff was assembled in July of that year and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS)
began focusing on homeland security efforts within the state.
The Oklahoma Homeland Security Act outlined OKOHS's strategic objectives which are to prevent a terrorist attack
in Oklahoma, reduce Oklahoma's vulnerability to terrorist attack and minimize the damage from and respond to a
terrorist attack should one occur. More information about OKOHS can be found at www.ok.gov/homeland.
About CLEET
The mission of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) is to enl1ance public safety by
providing education and training which promotes
professionalism and enhances competency within the ranks of
Oklahoma law enforcement and to manage and regulate the
licensing and training of private security. More information
about CLEET can be found at www.ok.gov/cleet.
About NCBRT and NDPC
The mission of the National Center for Biomedical Research
and Training (NCBRT) is to help America prevent, prepare
for, respond to and recover from acts of domestic and
international terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and high
-consequence events through teaching, training, technical
assistance and research. More information about the NCBRT
can be found at www.ncbrt.lsu.edu.
The NCBRT is part of the National Domestic Preparedness
Consortium (NOPC), recognized by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) as the principal vehicle through
which the National Training and Education Division (NTED)
identifies, develops, tests and delivers training to state, local
and tribal emergency responders.
More information about the NDPC can be found at
www.ndpc.us.
Catherine Salomone contributed to this article.
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