The Tactical Tracking 5-Day Course is an intensive training program designed to provide law enforcement, military personnel, and specialized tactical teams with the skills necessary to locate and apprehend individuals in diverse terrains and environments. This course focuses on the fundamentals of human tracking, operational planning, and tactical execution while emphasizing safety, situational awareness, and team coordination. It is taught by Level 2 and Level 3 Tactical Trackers with real-world tactical tracking experience tracking violent offenders and drug cartel members in the wilderness.

Course Objectives:

Participants will:

• Develop understanding of the principles of tactical tracking, including identifying, interpreting, and following human sign/spoor (e.g., footprints, disturbed vegetation, and discarded items).
• Develop situational awareness and learn to assess environmental clues in rural, urban, and wilderness settings.
• Understand team roles, communication protocols, and operational planning for tracking missions – with enhanced ability to provide guidance to their tactical team for real-world missions.
• Practice integrating tracking with other tactical operations, such as surveillance, perimeter containment, and suspect apprehension.
• Learn techniques to counter-evasion tactics employed by suspects.
• Improve decision-making skills under stress while maintaining officer safety

Course Structure:

Day 1: Foundations of Tactical Tracking

• Introduction to tracking fundamentals: sign recognition, interpretation, and documentation.
• Understanding human movement patterns and behavior.
• Classroom instruction followed by field exercises focusing on reading ground disturbances.

Day 2: Practical Field Applications

• Advanced techniques for identifying and following tracks in various terrains – urban, wilderness, & rural.
• Team-based tracking drills emphasizing communication and coordination.
• Introduction to counter-tracking awareness and evasion tactics.

Day 3: Integrating Tactics with Tracking

• Planning and executing tracking missions.
• Tactical formations, movement techniques, and safety protocols during tracking operations.
• Night tracking operations and low-light techniques.

Day 4: Encounter Action Drills & Live Fire Drills

• Team movement & response to suspect aggression.
• Live-fire drills & weapons selection/capabilities.
• Team-based tracking drills including lost spoor techniques, Encounter Action Drills, and C2.

Day 5: Scenario-Based Training and Evaluation

• Full-scale scenarios simulating real-world tracking missions.
• Incorporation of operational constraints, such as time pressure, hostile environments, and suspect evasion.
• Debriefs and performance assessments to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Target Audience:
This course is tailored for law enforcement officers, tactical teams, search-and-rescue personnel, and military units seeking advanced training in tracking and field operations.

Prerequisites:

• Basic knowledge of tactical operations.
• Physical fitness to participate in field exercises.
• Appropriate field gear (a detailed equipment list will be provided one month prior to class.)

Course Goals:
Upon successful completion, participants will have the skills and confidence to lead or assist in tactical tracking operations, enhancing their ability to safely & efficiently apprehend suspects in rural/wooded environments and resolve critical incidents in dynamic environments.