INVESTIGATIVE FIELD OPERATIONS
Advanced Field Operations for New Private Investigators
IFO
Class Description
“IFO” is our field ops course to build on the surveillance taught in SPIT as well as introduce more experienced operators to the civilian world of surveillance, counter-surveillance, pretext operations, and undercover operations. “Field Ops” means any kind of investigative activity “beyond the front door”. Although some would say that pretext phone calls are a kind of ops and they should be treated as such.
There are rules PI’s have to follow such as not impersonating law enforcement, not using fake official documents, and not calling banks pretending to be the subject. But there are also a number of activities that PI’s should be able to do on a moment’s notice and our IFO Course covers them.
Following our tradition of using actual casework or live exercises, students will experience more surveillance, a CS exercise, and either pretext or undercover activity. They will also plan one or more of the above.
IFO includes three Classes:
INTERVIEWS, PRETEXT OPS, AND SAFETY 204
Surveillance agents need to manage to manage a number of things in the surveillance environment including the subject(s), secondary and tertiary parties, special locations, withdraw lines, safe locations, and more. But they also need to be aware of surveillance teams looking for them or just happening to be in the area. Surveillance when another team is present is the ultimate challenge. And we’re going to show you how.
We’ve all experienced surf ops where an agency or unrelated party happens to be present. It’s fun to outmaneuver them. But it’s not fun to be made and especially to not know it’s happened. We’ll share many of the mistakes we’ve made and the best techniques we know.
This class begins with an exercise; Team A vs Team B. We like to call it the “clash of mistakes”. For students, it’s highly memorable and stressful learning. Fun!
UNDERCOVER OPS 205
Being able to go undercover on a moment’s notice can generate more intel in a moment than weeks of operations. Being able to plan an undercover operation and execute it well can win cases or change the game for your client. As we say, the best covers are 99% true, obvious in 1.5 seconds, and difficult to deny. Prior to class there’ll be an update on possible UC ops or exercises for the class.
Students should think about the kind of roles they can play easily and on a moment’s notice, then bring a bag with enough to pull it off. Add some props, catch phrases, mannerisms, or gestures to bring it all together.
Training undercover agents can take years, but this class will give you a good start and a clear plan on how to develop the skills necessary for success in the urban and rural environments.
PLANNING FIELD OPS (SURVEILLANCE, CS, PT’S, AND UNDERCOVER) 206
It may sound counter-intuitive to work on planning field ops at the end of the course, but experience is necessary to become a good planner. Planning field ops is a high-level challenge that includes: Surveillance, Counter-Surveillance, Pret-Texts, and Undercover missions and operations.
For the exercise, students will need to address the four layers of field ops. Layer 1: the subjects, the environment, secondary and tertiary parties and more. Layer 2: setting the team or agent up for success. How to maximize the variables in their favor? Layer3: failure mitigation, withdrawal paths, emergency locations and procedures. Layer4: goals, objectives, opportunism, and getting the win.
Planning is like writing reports, not everyone enjoys it. But it will make you a better team member to understand the process and be able to contribute to it.
Testimonials
Client Stories and Experiences
Dave and his team made this an amazing experience. I would recommend this course to anyone looking into becoming PI. There was so much information given in these 3 days. More than I ever imagined. The support continued even after the course was completed.
Jovita Mancebo
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Strider PI Team
Our Professional Team
Dave Amis
GM, Texas PI, CFE, MBA, & Lead Instructor
Dave may be the only Colorado Ranger – MBA – Texas PI on the planet.
He specializes in major case fraud, burglary, theft, and semi-public corruption.
Previously DA served as the director of a serial predator lab, a Colorado Ranger, a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy, and an instructor at the Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy.
He is the lead instructor and class designer for StriderPI.