Training at ATF's National Academy

Chapter 3

ATF, DEA, and FBI Convey Deadly Force

Policies to Their Agents in Similar Ways

suspect and respond with the correct level of force and control as required

by the FLETC Use-of-Force Model.

Training at ATF's National

students who successfully complete CITP are also required to attend

ATF

New Agent Training at ATF's National Academy, which is located on the

Academy

FLETC campus. New Agent Training is 9 weeks and focuses on the laws,

policies, procedures, and specialized investigative techniques that are

specific to ATF and designed to orientate new agents to their roles as

special agents. Our review of course materials identified three courses that

address ATF's use of deadly force policy:3 (1) Firearms Usage Policy,

(2) Situational Response for ATF New Agent Training, and (3) Tactical

Operations Planning. A portion of the Firearms Usage Policy course is to

be devoted to reiterating ATF's use-of-force and deadly force policies and

the authority and limitations that agents bear in exercising the use of

force.

In Situational Response for ATF New Agent Training (4 hours), students are

to work in two- or more person teams with simunitions and participate in

7 realistic scenarios. These scenarios are designed from real-life

experiences of ATF agents to challenge the students' ability to make proper

decisions regarding the use of force, tactics, the use of cover, and, if

appropriate, marksmanship. In this course, emphasis is placed on

resolving the exercises with the use of surprise, speed, and, if necessary,

violence without the use of deadly force. Among the objectives of the

course are to allow the students to (1) demonstrate the ability to make

proper deadly force decisions, (2) utilize the principles of tactics to gain

control of situations and to avoid shootouts, and (3) demonstrate the

ability to articulate a rational explanation of shooting decisions.

In Tactical Operations Planning (2 hours), students are to compile the

necessary intelligence to develop and execute tactical plans relating to

search warrants, high-risk search warrants, arrests, and undercover

operations. As part of the training in operational briefings, students are to

be taught that the Treasury/ATF Firearms Policy is required to be presented

before the execution of tactical plans.

ATF On-the-Job Training

During the first year with ATF, new agents are supposed to complete phase

1 of the training program. For phase 1, new agents, in addition to attending

Use-of-force policies, including deadly force, are contained in ATF's Firearms Policy, ATF Order

3000.8.

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GAO/GGD-96-17 ATF Use of Force