Tactical Patrol Officer Program

Lt. Ed Mohn Libertyville Police Department / Illinois Tactical Officers Association Vice President
Chief Jeff Chudwin Olympia Fields Police Department / Illinois Tactical Officers Association President-

ILEAS Region 4 Co-chair

The following articles define the creation of the Tactical Patrol Officer Program that has been under discussion for several years.

The Tactical Patrol Officer program is based on the belief that effective police response to violent offenders and incidents is enhanced when first responding patrol officers have common training and coordination. The techniques, tactics, and procedures that are the basis for the training courses that define the TPO program include the most current concepts related to response to violent incidents.

The Illinois Tactical Officers Association has worked to develop the core skills classes that define the TPO program through our senior and master instructors who have provided such training courses through ITOA and North East Multi Regional Training. The ITOA Board of directors has approved the coordination of training for the TPO program through North East Multi Regional Training, Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.

As stated, the Tactical Patrol Officer program is a means to develop street officers and supervisors that have consistent training to effectively respond to violent criminal conduct in a coordinated manner thereby increasing citizen protections and officer safety.

The TPO program will allow mutual aid requests in such violent incidents to place well trained and equipped officers on scene in a very short time period. The speed of response and the capabilities of these first responding Tactical Patrol Officers bring an elevated capability to everyday police response.

ITOA has developed a recognition program to compliment the TPO training. Officers will receive a certificate and uniform pin denoting the level of TPO designation they have achieved.

Please review the enclosed materials and determine if your agency would like to participate in the Tactical Patrol Officer program.

Each document has instructions detailing how your department can join these extremely important initiatives that will enhance your agencies first responder capabilities.

If you would like to join the TPO program, or have any questions after reviewing the enclosed documents - please do not hesitate to contact us at: tacpatrol@itoa.org