This course is restricted to OPOTC-certified peace officers and troopers who are assigned full- or part-time to an Ohio law enforcement tactical team.

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Tuition for this course is 100% reimbursed to your agency through the AG's office Ohio School Safety Grant Program.

About the Course The OTOA Tactical Team Response to Active Threats 16-hour course equips tactical teams to effectively manage active threat situations, primarily focusing on saving lives. This distinctive program merges evidence-driven principles with hands-on tactics, concentrating on critical decision-making, the lawful use of force, and de-escalation strategies, all while comprehensively addressing human behavior under extreme stress.

Participants will gain insights into the psychological aspects of stress, the Constitutional Use of Force, and collaboration techniques with other officers. This will culminate in practical, reality-based scenarios that solidify the application of these skills for real-world readiness.

Eligibility OPOTC-certified peace officers, deputies, and troopers who are assigned full or part-time to a law enforcement agency tactical team. Tactical Medics (TEMS) are also eligible if OPOTC certified.

Registration Procedure 

• Contact OTOA for scheduling to align with your training days.
• Choose from the listed course dates and locations.
• For customized scheduling or to host a course, contact Tony Castillo at (419) 787-7098 or email training@otoa.org.

Class Schedule

Class starts at 8:00 AM, and the training days are eight hours long.

Day 1:

• 0800 – 0830: Welcome and Overview
• 0830 – 1100: Active Threat Response Presentation
• 1100 – 1200: Safety and Weapons Handling
• 1200 – 1300: Lunch
• 1300 – 1500: Single Officer Tactics
• 1500 – 1630: Officer Subject Encounters
• 1630 – 1700: Debrief and Critique

Day 2:

• 0800 – 0830: Safety Briefing and Weapons Handling
• 0830 – 1200: Two Officer Tactics
• 1200 – 1300: Lunch
• 1300 – 1500: Multi-Officer Response Tactics
• 1500 – 1630: Open Space Engagement Tactics
• 1630 – 1700: Debrief and Critique

Student Goals

• Comprehend trends in active threat incidents.
• Grasp the “active dying” concept and the urgency of immediate response.
• Understand the Constitutional Use of Deadly Force and strategies for de-escalation.
• Learn to coordinate with uniformed and plainclothes officers, avoiding friendly fire incidents.
• Collaborate with security professionals and armed civilians.
• Practice safe gun handling and mission-driven tactical responses.
• Achieve proficiency in OTOA's mission-driven tactics.

Lodging, Travel and Food

The course cost does not include lodging, transportation, and food.

• Attendees are responsible for their lodging, transportation, and food.

Need to get this training close to home? 

Email OTOA Training or call Tony Castillo, OTOA Active Threat course coordinator, at (419) 787-7098.

Any tactic, technique, or technology covered at any OTOA advanced training or annual training conference MUST be applied in compliance with the United States Constitution, the Ohio Revised Code, and the rules and regulations of an attendee’s employing law enforcement agency.