Crime Scene Photography II
This course has been updated and rewritten using the study material set forth by the "International Association for Identification - Certified Crime Scene Investigator" certification. This five-day course is for law enforcement personnel responsible for photographing crime scenes and evidence in non-laboratory settings with digital cameras. The course emphasizes problem solving using the equipment available to the officer. Students build on the skills taught in Basic Photography or Crime Scene Photography I to photographically document a crime scene, fingerprints, and other small evidence, and enhance evidence photographs through lighting choices, lens choices, and through the use of alternate light sources. Other topics include ethics, legal aspects, and court presentations. This is an academically challenging course in which the student will have to pass a practical and written examination to successfully complete the course.
Prerequisites: A basic photography or equivalent training course is required. Students attending this class should have taken the OPOTA Basic Photography course or the updated Crime Scene Photography I course. A written pretest may be administered for non-OPOTA equivalent courses.
Note: This class replaces the former Crime Scene and Evidence Photography class held at OPOTA. There is one evening exercise. On Wednesday during the week, class will be held from 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. Students should have appropriate clothing for multiple outdoor exercises. Students should bring the departmental equipment they use in the course of their job to include camera, flash, tripod, and laptop. **A limited number OPOTA camera systems can be supplied if needed. Arrangements with the course coordinator should be made before the class if you need to use OPOTA camera systems.
October 19, 20, 22, 23, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
October 21, 2015 ǀ 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $400
Female Officer Combat Firearms Workshop
This course addresses accuracy and engagement speed development in static and dynamic situations with police firearms. Marksmanship skill-development drills, movement drills, speed-development drills, and weapon-handling drills will force participants to “push their individual shooting-skill envelope” and develop confidence with weapon capability.
October 27-29, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $275
Testifying in Court Boot Camp-Expert Witness
Do you feel anxious or nervous about testifying in court? Build your confidence and skills in this class designed specifically for experts. Topics covered include courtroom strategies, testimony vs. report writing, court preparation, professional conduct, and evidentiary concerns. This intense two-day class will require students to role play, testify in a courtroom setting, be cross-examined by trial attorneys, and do out-of-class assignments. Class size will be limited to 12 students.
Note: A report that was generated by the expert will be needed as an exhibit and basis for examination. The course instructor will contact students in detail before the course occurs.
November 2-3, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $130
Forensic Accounting Investigation
Forensic Accounting is the use of accounting methods to establish "forensic" evidence that “is suitable for use in a court of law.” This course will provide an overview of common fraud schemes, methods used to detect them, and how to present the evidence to a prosecutor. Participants will be provided with hands-on activities and examples to work through during the course.
Note: Participants should bring a laptop with Excel 2003 or a current version to assist with the hands-on activities.
November 2-3, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $130
Conducting Background Investigations
This program is designed to instruct law enforcement, fire, and public safety personnel in conducting and accurately reporting background investigations on prospective employees. Topics include: role of the background investigator; sources of information; legal issues, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); reporting practices and standards; departmental policies and procedures; and applications for employment. Students are requested to provide a copy of their agency employment application package.
November 2-3, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $130
Manipulation by Inmates
This course reviews the steps of behavioral manipulation designed to show how inmates implement a set-up. It should be understood that this process does not always develop in the same order, but all the elements will usually be utilized regardless of the procedure the inmate employs. Because they are applied subtly, set-ups can go on in full view of an employee’s peers, supervisors, and administrators without being recognized. To understand the set-up, one must realize how manipulation works. This course will help officers, supervisors, and administrators understand the set-up process inmates employ and how to effectively guard against it.
November 3, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $65
Digital Evidence Testimony
Students will learn how to communicate with individuals who are not familiar with computer terminology. Techniques for use in the courtroom setting are presented to assist the investigator in presenting complex testimony in a manner easily understood by jury members and judges.
This course is restricted to active law enforcement personnel.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed Computer Data Recovery – Basic, Intermediate, Intermediate Level 2, and Advanced.
November 4-5, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Richfield
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH
Cost: $200
November 9-10, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $200
Electronic Surveillance
Need a new investigative tool? Electronic Surveillance isn't just for Federal agents! This free course will provide officers the needed aspects of conducting electronic surveillance investigations. This course satisfies the requirements of Ohio Revised Code 2933.64 and will certify investigators to conduct electronic surveillance and wiretaps. This training will be conducted by attorneys with extensive wiretap experience from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
This course is restricted to active law enforcement officers only.
November 5-6, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Richfield
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH
Cost: Free
Close Quarters Subject Control for Tactical Operations
This physically demanding course is for the tactical officer who operates as a member of a team and has the probability of coming across combative subjects in a close quarters environment. The course includes both lecture and practical training. Topics include: The fighting platform, weapon-carry positions, weapon retention, striking drills, tactical mind-set, ground defense, take-down defense, quick take downs, resistive-subject arrest principles, operating within a team, and tactical scenarios employing the listed blocks of instruction.
Equipment required: Tactical uniform (long sleeves and pants), duty belt, tactical vest, helmet and protective mask (if issued). Highly recommended: Mouth guard, knee and elbow pads, gloves and any training weapons (Blue/Red inert guns).
November 16-17, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summit County Sheriff's Office Training Facility
2825 Greensburg Road
North Canton, OH
Cost: $130
Advanced Traffic Collision Reconstruction
This course is for the Reconstructionist interested in continuing training in traffic collision investigation and reconstruction. Instruction will include a COLM review, an introduction to Excel in collision reconstruction, percentage of braking review, quadratic and simultaneous equations in head-on collisions, rotational mechanics, and Vectors. The course will include a day of preparation for trial. Expert testimony will be presented by local attorneys.
Prerequisite: Traffic Collision Reconstruction (Level IV).
Note: Students should bring a laptop computer with Microsoft Excel 2010 or newer installed, a 1:10 traffic template, and a 360-degree protractor to the course and should be prepared for an outside exercise. Featured instructors: Mark Rice and Terry McClanahan
November 16-20, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: $300
Fire and Arson Investigation
This course provides basic information on the investigation of suspicious fires. It generally follows the National Fire Protection Associations Guide to Fire and Explosion Investigations 921, 2001 edition. Topics include: a review of Ohio Revised Code arson sections, types of fires, responsibilities of the fire department, basic fire cause and origin, investigative techniques such as exterior examination, internal survey photography and diagramming, evidentiary issues such as identification, collection and analysis, interviews and interrogation, witness development, and case presentation.
November 17, 2015 ǀ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
OPOTA Richfield
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH
Cost: $75
Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed
This course meets the requirements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for officers who are required to fly armed and are providing protective escort, hazardous surveillance operations, prisoner escort (all segments of round trip to pick up and/or deliver a prisoner) or for a law enforcement officer on official travel required to report to another location armed and prepared for duty.
Note: This course is restricted to active law enforcement personnel only. Bring a writing pad and pen.
November 17, 2015 ǀ 9:30 a.m. - Noon
OPOTA Main Campus
1650 St. Rt. 56 SW
London, OH
Cost: Free