Jul 04, 2025  
2025 - 2026 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2025 - 2026 Cowley College Academic Catalog

CRJ5410 SPECIAL OPERATIONS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSE PROCEDURE


CRJ5410 - Special Operations in Criminal Justice

2 Credit Hours

Student Level:

This course is a non-degree dependent course open to students on the college level in either their freshman or sophomore years.  This course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice but will be open to any student of Cowley College.  

Catalog Description:

CRJ5410 Special Operations in Criminal Justice (2 hrs.)  

This course, taught by industry professionals, will offer the student a peek into the dynamic realm of special operations in the field of Criminal Justice.  This course delves into the specialized tactics, strategies, technologies, and intervention methods employed by law enforcement agencies to address high-risk situations. Students will gain insight into the decision-making processes and ethical considerations that guide specialized law enforcement units. Through case studies, scenarios, and instructor presentations students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and responsibilities associated with Special Operations in the pursuit of justice.

Course Classification:

Lecture

Prerequisites:

None

Controlling Purpose:

The purpose of this special operations course is to enhance students understanding of the complexities and importance of special operations in the criminal justice field.  The course will equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills essential for planning, executing and evaluating specialized operations.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the student will:

1. Demonstrate a foundation for ethical decision making and professional integrity.

2. Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and through written documentation with diverse    populations.

3. Demonstrate ethics, integrity, teamwork, and professionalism.

4. Prepare and evaluate a basic operations plan.

5. Identify the legal limitations and opportunities of drones in law enforcement applications.  

6. Demonstrate basic S.W.A.T. entry techniques. 

7. Describe the abilities and limitations of K9s in various special operational capacities.  

8. Identify the various applications for K9 units in a special operations setting.

9.  Apply current case law to the various areas of special operations.

10.  Evaluate active shooter response including deployment tactics and situational awareness. 

11.  Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of multi-agency collaboration in all areas of special operations.  

12.  Demonstrate close quarters combat and weapon retention techniques. 

13.  Demonstrate advanced first aid techniques for high-risk situations.

14.  Explain the importance of psychological assistance following a critical incident. 

15.  Understand the profile of an active shooter and utilize the best information to do an accurate threat assessment.  

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period.  Instructors may add other material as time allows.

UNIT 1: SWAT Tactics

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will have the competencies needed to plan, assess and execute higher risk law enforcement operations.  They will demonstrate skills in decision-making, stress management, and teamwork as well as be able to breakdown the many complex issues differing situations require.  

  • Evaluate a critical incident from both a tactical and ethical standpoint.
  • Evaluate a tactical operations plan for strengths and weaknesses prior to implementation.
  • Demonstrate basic entry methods.
  • Discuss techniques for managing stress and maintaining focus during intense situations.
  • Participate in tactical planning for S.W.A.T operations giving consideration to various scenarios and potential threats.
  • Demonstrate close quarter combat techniques.
  • List and analyze the available less lethal devices employed by S.W.A.T.
  • Compose an effective raid plan.
  • Discuss the importance of equipment maintenance for S.W.A.T. teams.
  • Compare and contrast the tactics of a hostage situations with other high- risk situations.
  • Analyze when a crisis negotiator should be utilized.
  • Explain the importance of physical fitness in S.W.A.T. applications.

UNIT 2:  Drones in Special Operations

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will have a basic knowledge for proficient, legal, and ethical applications of drone use in special operations situations.  They will demonstrate knowledge in the use of drones for aerial surveillance and strategic uses in various scenarios.  The student will also showcase an understanding of current legal compliance with the use of drones in law enforcement applications.

  • Explain current case law on the application of drones for law enforcement operations.
  • List the types of situations that drones could be utilized in.
  • Discuss the ethical considerations of drone use.
  • Describe how drones can support ground operations in tactical situations.
  • Develop skills to counter potential threats from hostile sourced drones.
  • Explain the limitations when implementing drones in various weather conditions.
  • Explain the current laws of drone operation and licensing requirements for drone operation.
  • Analyze current court rulings on the legal application of drones

UNIT 3: Tactical Medical (Tac Med)

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will have advanced competencies in providing immediate and specialized medical car in special operations scenarios.  Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in tactical first aid, casualty extraction, and trauma management.  

  • Provide immediate and effective first aid in high-risk law enforcement situations.
  • Execute techniques for safely and swiftly extracting injured personnel from challenging environments.
  • Apply advanced trauma skills to severe injuries.
  • Conduct rapid and accurate triage assessments of needed medical care in the field. 
  • Integrate medical considerations into tactical decision-making processes.  
  • Discuss the trauma and psychological support needed by victims of traumatic injuries.
  • Maintain focus and manage personal stress levels in challenging situations.
  • Properly identify the need for and application of tourniquets. 

UNIT 4: K9 in Special Operations  

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will demonstrate knowledge in the strategic utilizations of K9 units.   They will also demonstrate a thorough understanding of K9 handling, apprehension tactics, scent detection and specialized search techniques utilized in special operations.   Students will be able to explain how K9 units should seamlessly integrate with other specialized units. 

  • Analyze current guiding case laws that apply to the use of K9s in law enforcement operations.  
  • Evaluate the legalities of deploying K9s in various law enforcement situations.
  • Recognize and identify times when K9 deployment is preferred and not preferred.
  • List the areas of scent detection that K9s can be utilized in.  
  • Explain proper techniques for deploying K9s in apprehending suspects while prioritizing officer safety.
  • Recognize the specialized rescue techniques K9 units utilize for locating missing persons in diverse environments.
  • Identify where the use of a K9 is on the use of fore continuum.
  • Recognize and address stressors that may impact K9 effectiveness. 
  • Describe how to collaborate k9 use with other units and agencies to integrate K9 units into joint operations when necessary. 
  • Describe the basic care and requirements for maintaining a healthy K9.

UNIT 5: Active Shooter Situations

Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to show proficiency in areas related to responding to and mitigating an active shooter situation including; threat assessment, rapid deployment tactics and coordinated response strategies.  Students will have an increased awareness of the importance of communication, situational awareness and multi-agency collaboration.  

  • Explain current response strategies to active shooter situations.
  • Assess and analyze active shooter threats quickly and accurately.
  • Make rapid and informed decisions based on evolving situations during an active shooter incident.
  • Discuss efficient casualty evacuation procedures.
  • Differentiate between cover and concealment.
  • Analyze information and intelligence to enhance response strategies during an active shooter incident.
  • Understand the need for psychological support for everyone involved in an active shooter incident.
  • Evaluate entry points to determine the safest and most effective approach to an active shooter.
  • Analyze the profile of an active shooter.  

Projects Required:

Varies, refer to syllabus.

Textbook:

None

Materials/Equipment Required:

Provided by instructors

Attendance Policy:

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

15

Course Time Frame:

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college.  A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.  The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program:

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class and which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.

Created 2/23/2024