U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Assistance Program Brief Bureau of Justice Assistance

Richard R. Nedelkoff, Director

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA

July 2002

Center for Task Force

Training Program

T he Center for Task Force Training (CenTF) Program providesspecialized training for law enforcement personnel who serve

on narcotics task forces funded by either Edward Byrne Memorial

State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance formula grants (Byrne

Program) or state or local funds. CenTF is funded by the Bureau of

Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice Programs, U.S.

Department of Justice.

Created in 1991, the CenTF program strives to increase the

operational effectiveness of multijurisdictional narcotics task

forces in three distinct areas—task force command and

management, methamphetamine investigation management, and

raves/club drug awareness. CenTF training classes are taught by

operationally experienced, command-level instructors.

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research, a nonprofit organization

that specializes in law enforcement research and education,

coordinates the CenTF training program. Each CenTF course may be

cohosted by a combination of state, county, or local law enforcement

agencies; the Regional Information Sharing Systems Intelligence

Center for that area; the local U.S. Attorney’s Office; the state’s
About BJA

The Bureau of Justice Assistance was established in 1984 as a

component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of

Justice. BJA provides leadership and resources to state, local, and

tribal governments and communities to reduce crime, violence, and

drug abuse and to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA provides this assistance through formula and discretionary

grants, training and technical assistance, publications, and the BJA

web site.

For Further Information

To receive additional information about the CenTF program,

obtain training schedules, or register for upcoming

CenTF training classes, contact:

Institute for Intergovernmental Research

P.O. Box 12729

Tallahassee, FL 32317

850–385–0600, ext. 233 or 300

Fax: 850–385–4563

Web site: www.iir.com/centf

For information about other BJA-sponsored

training programs, contact:

Bureau of Justice Assistance

810 Seventh Street NW.

Washington, DC 20531

202–616–6500

Fax: 202–305–1367

Web site: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA 

For publications and information on 

other BJA-funded programs, contact:

Bureau of Justice Assistance Clearinghouse 

P.O. Box 6000 

Rockville, MD 20849–6000

1–800–688–4252

Web site: www.ncjrs.org

Clearinghouse staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.

to 7 p.m. eastern time. Ask to be placed on the BJA mailing list.

2

narcotics association; or the state’s administrative

agency that administers the Byrne Programs.

There are no registration or tuition fees. Participants

may be eligible to receive Peace Officer Standards

and Training credit for attending a CenTF course. To

supplement the delivery of CenTF training courses,

a web-based resource center (www.iir.com/centf) 

for law enforcement use has been developed. The

center provides a centralized source of current

narcotics investigative information for law

enforcement practitioners and includes periodicals,

available training, relevant web sites, and other

narcotics enforcement-related information.

Narcotics Task Force Workshop

The Narcotics Task Force Workshop on

multijurisdictional narcotics enforcement

operations is a 3-day course designed for

commanders of multijurisdictional

narcotics task forces and

supervisory personnel. It focuses

on the training needed for a

multijurisdictional response in the

investigation and prosecution of

narcotics trafficking conspiracies.

This workshop provides training

for new and experienced managers,

supervisors, and senior investigators

who seek advancement. Instruction

includes practical exercises that cover

administrative and operational aspects of narcotics

task force enforcement efforts. Training topics

include:

◆ Organizing the Task Force

◆ Policies and Procedures

◆ Task Force Personnel Issues

◆ Confidential Informants

◆ Case Management

◆ Undercover Operations and Risk Management
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◆ Operation Planning

◆ Raid Issues

◆ Managing Critical Incidents

◆ Problem Solving

Methamphetamine Investigation

Management Workshop

The manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine

is one of the fastest growing drug problems facing the

nation. The rapid spread of methamphetamine from

the western United States to other parts of the country

is an increasing challenge for law enforcement

personnel nationwide. The covert nature of drug

laboratories and the hazardous chemicals involved in

methamphetamine drug operations pose unique

challenges for law enforcement managers and

investigators. Investigations must be properly

managed to ensure effective and safe outcomes.

This 3-day workshop was designed for state and local

law enforcement officers and addresses the

operational aspects of managing methamphetamine

investigations and other problems specific to these

types of investigations. Training topics include:

◆ The Methamphetamine Problem

◆ Clandestine Laboratories

◆ Manufacturing Methamphetamine

◆ First Response Procedures

◆ Investigation Techniques

◆ Raid Issues

◆ Current Trends

Raves/Club Drug Awareness

Seminar

The Raves/Club Drug Awareness Seminar for state

and local law enforcement is a 1-day class that

focuses on a relatively new problem facing law

enforcement—the proliferation of synthetic illicit

drugs commonly associated with the nightclub or

“rave” scene. This course highlights drugs such as

gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), commonly referred to

as the “date-rape drug,” and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly referred to as

“ecstasy.” These and other club drugs pose unique

challenges to law enforcement because they are

relatively inexpensive, easy to obtain, and appear to

be the new drugs of choice for teenagers and young

adults.

Seminar topics include the identification of club drugs

on the market, the dangers associated with their use,

and the management of investigations of these

controlled substances to ensure effective and safe

outcomes.

CenTF increases the operational effectiveness of 

multijurisdictional narcotics task forces through task force

command and management, methamphetamine

investigation management, and raves/club drug awareness. 

A CenTF training program teaches law enforcement officers how to identify and respond

to illegal methamphetamine labs.

Photo © Digital Stock 1998. Meth lab photo courtesy of the

Institute for Intergovernmental Research.
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Assistance

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

NCJ 192177

July 2002