Instructor Certifications
Our programs cover instructor certifications across the entire force response continuum for operational use of force – from presence & communication, to unarmed defence & control, mechanical restraints, intermediate force and firearms. The content covers skills for delivering use of force training to personnel in ‘standard’ operational roles, but all programs can be customised to specific agency or workplace requirements.We are proud to offer instructor certifications in Defensive Tactics and Firearms. Instructor programs have been divided into 2 levels for accessibility and cost effectiveness. Level 1 focuses on core skills for officer safety, whilst Level 2 explores advanced concepts to further develop instructor competency and motivate an attitude of ongoing continuous improvement. All programs are progressive in format - core skills progress into intermediate and advanced concepts and methodologies – with instructors learning delivery and assessment strategies for both theory and practical components of use of force application.
For instructors looking to progress even further, we also offer several stand-alone ‘specialised’ certification programs:
- Range Safety Officer (for live fire training)
- Simulation Safety Officer (for dynamic Force-on-Force training)
- ASP Instructor Certification (internationally-recognised instructor certification)
Defensive Tactics Instructor
This program presents in-depth information for instruction of operational personnel in empty hand defensive tactics, restraint & control, mechanical restraints, and intermediate force options with the expandable baton. The strategies presented are simple, practical and effective, and are designed for use by operational personnel in real world situations against real violence. Theory content covers threat assessment, interpersonal communication for conflict, understanding stress, lawful guidelines for use of force responses, human physiology, anatomy and biomechanics and fundamental combat principles and concepts. Practical content for empty hand component covers strategies for creating distance, escape countermeasures, strike theory, takedowns and ground work, low and high threat restraint and control strategies, fundamentals of weapons awareness and defence against multiple subjects. Mechanical restraints and baton components cover types of restraints and batons, carriage, lawful use and maintenance or equipment. Trainer content includes professional demeanour and presentation, safety in training, class formats and structure, using active and dynamic drills effectively, creating tactical blueprints and avoiding training scars, and general fitness for use of force incidents. Recertification is recommended every 3 years.
| Title: | Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification Level 1 (Operational Essentials) |
| Code: | DTIC1 |
| Duration: | 6 days |
| Content: | Conflict Control, Threat Assessment, Lawful Guidelines, Empty Hand Defence, Restraint & Control, Handcuff, Baton, Post Incident Management, Training Methodology (training & assessment principles, instructor values & ethics, safety in training, competency-based instruction) |
| Requirement: | Initial certification (Security Industry Defensive Tactics Instructor certification) |
| Prerequisites: | Recommended minimum national trainer qualification (AQF4) & basic UOF competency |
| Title: | Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification Level 2 (Advanced Control Tactics) |
| Code: | DTIC2 |
| Duration: | 4 days |
| Content: | Ground Defence, Multiple Attacks, Weapons Defence, Technical Methodology (intuitive bodywork, ballistic strike theory, biomechanics, breathing, combat physiology & psychology, fitness & health) |
| Requirement: | Initial certification |
| Prerequisites: | DTIC Level 1 |
| Title: | Defensive Tactics Instructor Recertification |
| Code: | DTIR |
| Duration: | 3 days (Level 1), 2 days (Level 2) |
| Content: | Empty Hand Defence, Restraint & Control, Handcuffs, Batons |
| Requirement: | Recommended every 3 years (PD for procedural, legislative & tactical updates) |
| Prerequisites: | DTIC Level 1 &/or 2 |
Firearms Instructor
This program trains participants to instruct others in the operational use of revolver and/or semi-automatic handguns. Theory content covers firearms safety, liabilities & responsibilities, mechanical operations, ballistic theory, equipment, fundamentals of survival shooting, maintenance, first aid & post crisis trauma, and documenting use of force incidents. Practical content covers carriage & presentation, handling skills & operational techniques including rectifications, dry drills & live firing, and weapon retention. Trainer content covers key principles of training & assessment, safety in training, professional ethics & standards for UOF instructors, range management including conducting hot ranges, coaching strategies, and use of drills and simulations for stress inoculation training. The program makes use of practical skill acquisition and development through extensive range practice exercises and drills. Level 1 is recognised and approved by Licensing Services Division, Victoria Police, for Security Industry Firearms Instructor certification in Victoria, with instructor certification issued through Licensing Services Division. Recertification is mandatory every 3 years (in Victoria).
| Title: | Firearms Instructor Certification Level 1 (Operational Essentials) |
| Code: | FIC1 |
| Duration: | 6 days |
| Content: | Conflict Control, Lawful Guidelines, Safe Handling, Marksmanship, Mechanical Functions & Rectifications, Retention, Post Incident Management, Training Methodology (training & assessment principles, instructor values, safety in training, competency-based instruction); includes Range Safety Officer certification |
| Requirement: | Initial certification (Security Industry Firearms Instructor certification) |
| Prerequisites: | Recommended minimum national trainer qualification (AQF4); basic UOF competency |
| Title: | Firearms Instructor Certification Level 2 (Advanced Survival Tactics) |
| Code: | FIC2 |
| Duration: | 4 days |
| Content: | Operational Survival Tactics (survival mindset, low light, visual surveys, fatal tunnels, fire & movement, alternate carriage & positions, single-hand drills, reactive shooting, officer down), Technical Methodology (ballistics, stopping power, trauma management, fitness & health) |
| Requirement: | Initial certification |
| Prerequisites: | FIC Level 1 |
| Title: | Firearms Instructor Recertification |
| Code: | FIR |
| Duration: | 3 days (Level 1), 2 days (Level 2) |
| Content: | Revolver &/or Semi-automatic handgun |
| Requirement: | Mandatory every 3 years (in Victoria) |
| Prerequisites: | FIC Level 1 &/or 2 |
ASP Instructor Certification
We are currently the only organisation in Australia certified to provide ASP Instructor Certification (AIC), the most dynamic impact weapon and restraint training available. ASP training incorporates easily remembered and devastatingly effective techniques that can be used by all personnel under actual field conditions, coupled with court defensible procedures that have reduced liability whilst improving safety. Thousands of operational personnel have learned first hand that ASP techniques work under the stress of actual street confrontations. The program has revolutionized baton and handcuff instruction, and has been implemented by agencies throughout the world, with training being conducted in 77 countries. The 3-day competency based training program is based upon a conceptual model for the use of force and teaches the ASP principles of control using the ASP Tactical Baton & Handcuffs. It focuses on instructional techniques, mechanical functions and maintenance procedures for ASP Tactical Baton & Handcuffs, and increases instructor familiarity and skill with expandable impact weapons and the full range of ASP handcuffs. The program is easy to understand and provides efficient defensive tactics for all personnel without long hours of training. The tactics are quickly learned, easily practiced and readily maintained long after the program is completed and training incorporates drills which simulate the stress of street encounters. As a realistic training program ASP instruction recognises that nothing works 100% of the time, so all ASP training retains the officer’s ability to disengage or escalate, and since there are no complicated moves the ASP program avoids the training complexities which often plague other programs. Once certified, participants are prepared to instruct other personnel in operational use of the ASP Tactical Baton & Handcuffs, for ASP Basic Certification (ABC). Instructor Recertification is recommended every 3 years.
| Title: | ASP Instructor Certification |
| Code: | AIC |
| Duration: | 3 days (AIC Baton - 2 days, AIC Handcuff - 1 day) |
| Requirement: | ASP Basic Certification (ABC) or equivalent |
Safety Officer
Knowledge acquisition (knowing when to act) and skill acquisition (knowing how to respond) are important first steps in training officers correct force response in an operational environment. However, the crucial third step that is often overlooked is the stress inoculation phase of training. This is where officers get to apply their knowledge and skills in simulated operational environments, using carefully designed and conducted dynamic simulations that encourage officers to make real-world split-second decisions in a variety of situations against a variety of threats. These programs not only train instructors in how to design and conduct effective simulations at a variety of force response levels, but most importantly, how to do it safely and professionally.
| Title: | Simulation Safety Officer Certification (for Dynamic Force-on-Force Training) |
| Code: | SSOC |
| Duration: | 4 days |
| Content: | Effects of the Stress Response, Principles of Force-on-Force Training, Training Methodology (roles & responsibilities, safety in training, scenario design & conduct, gear selection, establishing a reality-based training facility) |
| Prerequisites: | Recommended minimum national trainer qualification (AQF4) & basic UOF competency |
| Title: | Range Safety Officer Certification (for Live Fire Training) |
| Code: | RSOC |
| Duration: | 1 days |
| Content: | Roles & Responsibilities, Range Administration (facilities, equipment, firearms policy & records), Range Management for live fire training (safety procedures, hot range conduct, safety inspections/clearances) |
| Prerequisites: | Basic firearms competency |
Note: Instructor programs are generally limited to members of security, law enforcement, corrections, military and government agencies, due to the nature of their content and operational applicability. Further prerequisites are outlined in the briefing bulletin for each program, which are issued with the application form. Due to the extensive resources and organisation required to coordinate this type of training, programs require minimum enrolment numbers to proceed. Cut-off dates for each program are listed several weeks prior to course commencement and are clearly listed on the application forms. Participants should ensure they submit their applications well before the cut-off date to reserve their place and ensure course commencement. All monies are protected and are refunded in full if a course does not proceed due to numbers.
