Straight Answers.

The best surveillance training available to law enforcement and credentialed security professionals — the ideas, theories, and practical craft of modern surveillance: vehicle and foot follows, equipment, counter-surveillance, case law, and courtroom-ready documentation.

A deliberate blend: classroom doctrine with the most current language, case law, and technique — then the majority of the course spent practicing it in the field, in vehicles, on real streets. Three full days of hands-on training — 30 hours, about 45% classroom and 55% practical.

Don't let the number fool you — this is a foundational course, not a basic one. It's where we encourage every student to begin their surveillance journey, whatever stage of your career you're in. We promise: you will not be bored in Surveillance 101.

Days 1 and 3 run 0800–1800. Day 2 starts later and runs into the night — on purpose. Surveillance doesn't keep business hours, and neither does Day 2. Plan your evenings accordingly.

Not especially — but it's realistic. Expect long stretches in vehicles, some foot work, and full training days. If you can work a normal shift, you can do this course. Need an accommodation? There's a notes field at registration, or email us — we'll make it work.

A certificate documenting your 30 hours of instruction, an open line to our instructors for future questions and current information, definitely some swag — and most importantly, a foundation in basic and advanced surveillance technique that makes you a more valuable asset to your team, more dynamic in the field, and more confident in the courtroom.

Your certificate documents 30 hours of instruction, and many agencies accept it toward in-service training requirements. Approval works differently in every state, so check with your training coordinator — and if they need a course outline or documentation to approve it, email us. We're happy to help make the case.

Certified law enforcement officers — local, county, state, federal, at any point in your career — and credentialed security professionals. Bring an open mind and a willingness to learn; that's the rest of the prerequisite list.

We confirm law enforcement or professional credentials before class. Register with your agency email where possible, and bring your credentials on Day 1. Course material is restricted for a reason — the people we teach to spot surveillance shouldn't be in the room learning how we do it.

No. Course content is for law enforcement and credentialed professionals only — no audio or video recording, and materials aren't for redistribution. Take all the notes you want. The techniques work because the wrong people don't know them.

$395 out the door — deliberately competitive, because our goal is reaching the broadest audience of law enforcement professionals, not pricing them out. Group rates and agency hosting discounts are available. Even if you're the young officer reading this at 3am on midnights wishing we'd bring this class to your agency: contact us. We'll work out a fantastic deal.

Yes — we built our registration for exactly that. Choose "Register now, pay by invoice" at checkout: your seats are reserved immediately, and we send an invoice your department can pay by card, ACH, or check. PO numbers welcome. Invoices are due within 30 days or before the first day of class, whichever comes first — and if your finance office needs different terms, email us before it becomes a problem. We know how budgets work.

Yes. One registration can include your whole team — an admin or supervisor enters each student, and it all lands on a single invoice or card payment. Every student is individually tracked on the class roster and receives their own certificate.

We do. Larger groups and hosting agencies get real discounts — email admin@surveillancetraining.com with your headcount and city before you register, and we'll set you up with a code.

Life happens — especially in this job. Cancel 14 or more days before class for a full refund or a free transfer to any other date. Inside 14 days, we can't refund, but you can transfer to a future class or send a substitute in your place. Substitutions are free anytime, right up to Day 1 — just email us the new student's info. If we ever cancel a class, you get a full refund or priority seating at the date of your choice, your call.

Join the waitlist on the class page. Seats open more often than you'd think — department budgets shift, assignments change — and waitlisted students get first crack, in order. If demand is heavy enough in your city, that's also how we decide to add a second date.

Early. Classes cap at 25 students because that's the number that works in the field, and department group registrations can take half a class in one order. When the card says FILLING FAST, believe it.

Access to a vehicle — preferably an unmarked city, county, state, or federal unit. Your own personal vehicle works too; don't let an obstacle stop you. Do NOT drive a marked unit to training — we'll pair you with someone who has an unmarked. Binoculars, headphones, phone chargers, and snacks are optional niceties. Full joining instructions arrive after registration.

Plain clothes that blend in — you're training to be invisible, so leave the agency polos, tactical pants, and cop haircut energy at home as much as you can manage. Comfortable layers for long hours in vehicles, and something for the weather. Day 2 runs into the night; dress for it.

Follow your agency's policy for off-duty and training carry. This is training, not enforcement — you won't need your firearm for any exercise, and it never comes out during training activities.

No — meals are on your own, with breaks built into each day. Traveling students should book lodging near the venue; the joining instructions include the venue address and area notes so you can plan. Book early in smaller cities.

Yes — and it's a great deal. Host agencies provide the classroom space and a training area, and in exchange get deeply discounted or free seats for their people. If you can get us a room and a parking lot, we can bring Surveillance 101 to your city. Email admin@surveillancetraining.com and let's talk.

Two ways: host us (see above), or make noise. Our schedule follows demand — waitlist signups, class alerts, and emails from your city all count. If your region shows up in our numbers, your region shows up on our calendar.

We do, and it's free. Every class page has a "Taking this to your captain?" section with two PDFs: a training justification packet built from that exact class — dates, cost, venue, curriculum, instructor credentials, and the organizational benefit on one page — and a memo template guide that shows you how to write the request itself, with a fill-in memo for your department letterhead. Download both, attach the packet, send the memo. That's the whole play.