An excellent weeks surveillance training

Last week RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions ran our Surveillance Course through ISTA in Melbourne. It was a fantastic weeks training and  Melbourne even put on some great weather, so much so, one of students got a sun tan during the final major exercise!!!!
Our students took part in both theory and practical training sessions, learning the art of surveillance trade craft, cover and concealment, mobile tactics, the use of covert cameras and even more importantly, the correct way to collect evidence both through video and images and the recording of contemporaneous notes.
Students took part in a night time surveillance exercise and had the opportunity to experience being a subject of surveillance, and through our “reverse engineering’ concept was able to see what can be achieved if the the principles of surveillance are followed.
During a minor exercise students were engaged in a surveillance operation which tested their knowledge and practical application of the skills learned at the beginning of the week. They were tasked with an objective and achieved the desired outcome comprehensively, with fantastic feedback from the role player, who did not pick any of the operatives or their vehicles. During the de brief the students were provided feedback on the evidence they obtained and the way in which it was recorded.
Quote ‘You can be the best surveillance operative in the world, however if you cant get your evidence accepted in court its all for nothing!’
The final day of the course was the major exercise. The level of difficulty was increased a little bit, using a new role player, different vehicles (gotta love the vespa scooter for city traffic!!!) and a different and testing surveillance environment!! Again the students were tested on their decision making and their ability to quickly assess the situation and apply the safety net principle to maintain contact with the subject. The exercise took us from Toorak, to Elsternwick and eventually culminated at a venue in Fitzroy. The students were able to demonstrate their confidence to ‘get in close’ and act naturally with a purpose, and were able to obtain great video evidence, well done!
It was an enjoyable week and a big thank you and congratulations to all the participants, and I look forward to working with you in the field!