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3-6 November 2025

Register at: https://portal.rcta.org//site/course.aspx?args=iEePUYPAQWozZOI5/JQYZ9WuIKBJtLs+9BZMXCRw9fw=

Course # 8311 

Location: 449th CAB HQ – AASF1 Classroom

2050 National Guard Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560

Fee:  There is no fee for this training.

Length: 4 day (32 Hours)

Meals / Lodging:  Agency / Individual responsibility

Instructor: Regional Counterdrug Training Academy

** Download the push-to-talk walkie-talkie app “Zello” from your phone’s app store, for practical’s during the course. **

** Each student is strongly encouraged to bring existing department owned surveillance equipment/systems. This method will allow students an opportunity to identify shortcomings in their equipment and go back to their respective agencies with fresh justification to request better equipment. **

** Participants are asked to wear street clothing and to drive unmarked vehicles to class, preferably a van or pickup truck. **

Designed for:  Narcotics Agents, Patrol Officers, and Crime Scene Specialists who need to document criminal activity on video. Participants should be familiar with all aspects of investigations including surveillance, search warrants, and wireless transmitters.

Course Description: This course will cover the use of digital imagery equipment during static and mobile physical surveillance operations in both rural and urban environments. The course commences with a comprehensive review of physical surveillance on day one. The course introduces the use of digital imagery equipment on day two, introducing students to basic and advanced photography/videography concepts allowing students to capture imagery during day/ night operations at distances up to 300 meters and beyond. During day three and four the course continues to build upon earlier concepts introducing stay behind systems, the use of off the shelf technology (drones, cell phones etc.) and developing methods for
incorporating said technology into real world operations. The course extensively uses practical exercises to solidify an operational understanding of concepts that are taught.

Course Objectives:

• Gain basic understanding of various physical surveillance and counter surveillance techniques for both urban and rural operations.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of how digital cameras (DSLR/Mirrorless) work, allowing for manual photography under all meteorological conditions, during day and night operations.
• Develop ability to capture digital imagery from static and mobile platforms.
• Develop ability to capture illegal acts through digital means.
• Develop ability to capture operationally usable imagery at extended ranges (300 meters +).
• Use common video/ photography tools (phones, drones, home security cameras) to capture operational footage while blending in with the population.
• Develop planning methodologies to successfully plan operations with significant “unknowns”.
• Develop understanding of digital imagery limitations as they relate to identifying individuals/ acts under various conditions.

** Download the push-to-talk walkie-talkie app “Zello” from your phone’s app store, for practical’s during the course. **

** Each student is strongly encouraged to bring existing department owned surveillance equipment/systems. This method will allow students an opportunity to identify shortcomings in their equipment and go back to their respective agencies with fresh justification to request better equipment. **

Register at https://portal.rcta.org//site/course.aspx?args=iEePUYPAQWozZOI5/JQYZ9WuIKBJtLs+9BZMXCRw9fw=  Course # 8311  

MANTA training is provided free of charge to Law Enforcement Officers through a Governor’s Crime Commission Grant and the NC National Guard Counterdrug Program.

For more information or to receive help in registering for a class, contact us at:
manta@nccounterdrug.com
984-664-6045/ 704-400-9960