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Course Description

Basic Narcotics Investigations

Length: 5 days  (48 hours)

Designed for: This course is designed to meet the immediate training needs of law enforcement personnel who have been recently assigned to drug law enforcement units, divisions, or task forces. It is intended as a preparatory course with the course content arranged to achieve the maximum student orientation to the fundamental duties and responsibilities of a narcotics investigator. In addition, law enforcement personnel who are anticipating a near future assignment to a drug enforcement unit should benefit substantially. Further, officers currently serving in narcotics units, but not yet afforded the opportunity to attend and participate in a formal training course in narcotics investigations are encouraged to attend.

Prerequisites: Preference will be given to law enforcement personnel who have investigative duties relating to drug law enforcement.

Certification : This course is POST certified in the states of Mississippi and Georgia and accepted for certification in other states.

Description: Topics covered during this 5 day period of instruction will include the following:

  • Identify drug enforcement strategies that work and those that do not work
  • Learn integrity issues and ethical dilemmas faced by drug law enforcement officers
  • Drug recognition, to include history and development of drugs, the Controlled Substances Act, and an orientation to the categories of drugs, and drug schedules.
  • Search and Seizure laws designed for the narcotics investigator who needs clear and concise answers to questions about warrantless search and seizure laws. Plus and overall review of the requirements of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments.
  • Learn to write search warrants to include how search warrants may or must be obtained, the scope of a search pursuant to a warrant, the seizure of evidence, and post-seizure requirements.
  • Learn development, management and control of Informants
  • Learn the critical issues of working undercover to include techniques, undercover identity, operational plans, and the pitfalls prevalent in undercover operations.
  • Learn well-settled methods, techniques, and procedures that are utilized to help ensure the objectives and functions of physical surveillance activities.
  • Learn how to plan a raid.
  • Learn how to prepare for trial and give courtroom testimony.


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