Course Overview

Knock & Talk operations, when conducted properly, can be a very successful tactic to combat illegal narcotics trafficking.  Officers must receive proper training and understand the limitations of knock & talks for this tactic to be effective. One of the most difficult aspects of conducting knock & talk operations is gaining voluntary consent to enter a residence and conduct a search. Officers must put themselves able to win. This starts with the initial approach to the residence, knocking on the door, and the tone and demeanor presented by the officers. There are numerous Supreme Court rulings that dictate proper ways officers should carry out knock & talks.

The 4th Amendment of the constitution governs illegal search and seizures. Officers must have a clear understanding of the 4th Amendment and current case law to conduct knock & talk operations legally. In recent years, several knock & talk operations have turned into deadly encounters. Officers must conduct preoperational briefings and cover all tactical considerations prior to initiating a knock & talk operation. This intense one-day training course will provide in-depth information and proper techniques & tactics for officers to conduct knock & talk operations. Often, the difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause determines if a knock & talk violated the 4th Amendment.

Officers will be presented with material to define those differences clearly. Sample policies and procedures will be provided during the course. To prevent history from repeating itself, case studies supported by video surveillance will be presented where knock & talks turned deadly. This course is presented by veteran instructors who actively use knock & talk techniques to enter suspected drug violators’ residences and seize large quantities of drugs, firearms, and U.S. currency.