NCJ Number
187005
Date Published
2000
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Between 1998 and 1999, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Laboratory Training Unit (CLTU) received $10.9 million from the Community Oriented Policing Services program to provide training and equipment to State and local law enforcement officers involved in clandestine laboratory enforcement.
Abstract
In January 2000, in order to ensure DEA continues to meet the training needs of State and local law enforcement, the CLTU initiated several new training programs to cover the entire spectrum of clandestine laboratory enforcement. In addition to the Basic Certification Course, the CLTU conducts three additional programs--Basic Investigative Course, State and Local Site Safety Officer Course, and Clandestine Laboratory Tactical Training Course. Since June 1998, the CLTU has trained and equipped over 2,240 State and local law enforcement officers. A 4-hour Train the Trainer course is also available to increase the number of instructors available who can provide clandestine laboratory training. This training is geared toward reaching first respondents who may become exposed to a clandestine laboratory and associated health hazards during the routine course of their duties. Topics covered in the various CLTU courses are listed, such as officer safety, laboratory recognition, characteristic signs of drug users, common household items and precursor chemicals used in clandestine drug manufacturing, precursor chemical diversion, investigative techniques, undercover operations, surveillance techniques, search warrant preparation and execution, evidence collection and processing, legal issues, hazard assessment and protective clothing, and decontamination procedures. Statistical data on clandestine laboratory seizures by DEA are presented. 9 figures and 4 photographs