Introduction to Highway & Rural Drug Investigations

Course Description: The focus of this course is on legal aspects concerning traffic stops, as well as training law enforcement officers in the techniques of roadside interviews to be used in traffic stops of suspected drug couriers. This course is also designed to train small-town law enforcement agencies in the newest trends of narcotic investigations and officer safety, the proper identification of rolling clandestine labs that may be present in rural areas, and assessment of potential suspects through knowledge of body language, eye patterns, and drug-induced characteristics and behaviors. Drug dealers are moving into smaller towns around the country for the purpose of conducting illegal drug activity, including trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution of narcotics. There is also a growing incidence of long-time rural residents embarking on illegal drug activities. Small-town law enforcement agencies will be introduced to new drug investigation trends and techniques. This course will train rural officers to identify signs of narcotic trafficking during probable cause vehicle stops, identify signs and methods of transporting narcotics, including chemical precursors, and interpret suspect’s body language during a vehicle stop.

Course Length: 8 hours

Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Understand the signs of a driver or passenger of a vehicle who may be transporting narcotics into their community prior, during, and after a probable cause vehicle stop.
• Identify the signs and methods of transporting chemical precursors and narcotics.
• Learn how to assess the situation and take appropriate action.
• Identify the body language that a suspect shows during a traffic encounter.
• Determine safety precautions based on body language.