Surveillance Detection

Surveillance Detection courses are taught using a 15:1 student-to-instructor ratio; however, the courses rely heavily on additional support from role players and observers.

Situational Awareness: Threat Recognition & Response: This course of study provides the student with an introduction to general security awareness and current operational attack methodologies, including preoperational activities conducted by terrorists and/or criminal elements directed against U.S. government individuals and/or facilities. Topics include multiplicity of threat—crime, terrorism, Foreign Intelligence Services; adversarial motivation, surveillance tendencies, and observable behaviors; surveillance indicators; criminal behavior vs. terrorist behavior; recognizing threat/avoiding challenge; improving personal and team observation and reporting skills; how to behave, act, and dress to maintain a low profile; and examination of personal habits, routines, and modes of dress and movement to increase difficulty for surveillance/attackers.

Surveillance Detection I: This course provides the student with an introduction to conducting surveillance detection during routine activities and travel. Students learn to recognize detectable surveillance behaviors, optimal surveillance locations, and potential consequences of using operational techniques in an overt environment. The course consists of lecture and a practical exercise.

Surveillance Detection II: This comprehensive course is designed to provide the student with concepts and applied experience in conducting vulnerability assessments for critical facilities and the formulation of effective facility detection plans. At the conclusion of this training, students will have the requisite tools and abilities to conduct field and facility assessments, develop surveillance detection plans, and to respond appropriately to uninvited attention. Students learn the importance that surveillance plays in criminal/terrorist activities, and the methods to prevent, mitigate or recover from surveillance activities designed to threaten the safety and security of facilities and/or collection operations. Course topics include: facility assessments; route analysis and assessment; route selection and operations planning; introduction to counter surveillance; vehicular counter surveillance; counter surveillance on foot; individual and team surveillance; basic techniques, tools, communication; operations planning and plan execution; and operations execution with potential for hostile counter surveillance. This course is heavily weighted with drills, exercises, and integrated field exercises.

Apprehension, Avoidance, & Escape: Students will learn how to recognize and assess abduction threats, understand emotions and attitudes, and exploit escape techniques. Topics include: kidnapping methodologies and regional variations; threat recognition; initial assessment/response; negotiations; conversation/attitude; carjacking; psychopathology of the hostage experience; state of mind; and Stockholm Syndrome. Other tactical skills included: trunk escape, hotwire vehicle, moving while bound, breathing control, non-verbal communication, and escape/measured movement.