The Tactical Edge

The summer issue is here!

Please read our latest issue of The Tactical Edge, offering a wide array of topics including pursuing excellence as an instructor, enhanced learning, officer wellness, hostage-taking demands, the benefits of a suppressor on precision long rifles, evolutions in autonomous weapons technologies, and much more.

We also introduce a new column from Jon Becker entitled "Lessons Learned from The Debrief."

Take a look at a list of articles offered in this issue.  

Members: Read the entire issue in our members-only dashboard.

Not a member? Join now to read online.

Get ready for six days of engaging seminars and exclusive incident debriefs. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with the best and brightest leaders and innovators in the law enforcement community.

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown will serve as our home base for the conference, providing you with a comfortable and convenient place to stay while you soak up all the knowledge and skills that our expert instructors have to offer.

The Kansas City Convention Center will host our spectacular two-day trade show, featuring hundreds of companies showcasing the latest and greatest technologies and products.

Prepare for an incredible experience at the NTOA’s 24th Annual Crisis Negotiations Conference in Chandler, Arizona. This year’s conference will be held at the Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass, a stunning Four Diamond Awarded hotel surrounded by breathtaking desert views and outstanding amenities.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect! Register now, and we’ll see you there!

We are offering scholarships to attend this conference!

Click here to apply.

National Negotiator's Challenge

October 27, 2024

The NTOA is hosting its first-ever National Negotiator’s Challenge, a unique opportunity for crisis negotiation teams to work together and challenge themselves and their teams against other teams nationwide.

Teams will participate in a challenging scenario-driven competition. Up to 10 teams (up to 8 negotiators per team) may register. The NTOA will provide judging criteria to teams upon registration.

The National Negotiator’s Challenge is a realistic stress-based training opportunity. It allows participants and observers to witness how other teams address the same scenario in their own way, depending on resources, team size, experience, and more. Additional negotiators may attend for observation and training purposes.

Important: ALL National Negotiator’s Challenge attendees must register for the NTOA’s Crisis Negotiations Conference (1 day, 2 days or the whole week) before registering for the competition.

Additional cost to register for the Challenge: $75

The NTOA has partnered with the Power of Awareness program, a comprehensive 90-minute course that teaches you and your family to be cognizant of your surroundings, trust your intuition in unfamiliar and unnerving situations, evaluate threats, and take appropriate action when necessary. NTOA members will receive a discounted price of $125 to purchase the course!

The GREAT to MAGNUS Public Safety Coach Certification Program is the only ICF-accredited program designed for public safety officials. Completing the course and required mentoring sessions results in the ACC (Associate Coach Certified) credential from the International Coaching Federation.

This is a hybrid course consisting of 5 days of in-person training and 3 days of online training.

In-person training: Sept. 16-20, 2024 - Avon, IN

Online training: Sept. 24-26, 2024

NTOA Resources

Your NTOA members-only portal gives you access to hundreds of critical resources. Take some time to browse and learn! These are just a few examples:

• REVIEW - NTOA's Tactical Response and Operations Standards

• REVIEW - NTOA's Public Order Response and Operations Standards

• Pre-Deployment Risk Assessment for SWAT Teams (Document)

• Recommended Readings

• File Shares from Members (members only)



NTOA Board of Directors

The NTOA will accept nominations for directors in all three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) in August 2024. Online voting will take place in October 2024.

The directors will serve a three-year term:

January 2025 - December 2027

You must be an individual or digital member of NTOA, or be the point of contact for a team membership to be eligible to vote in our elections.

Qualifications and election information are available on our website.



The Tactical Edge

Write an article for The Tactical Edge!

Write an article for our award-winning journal, The Tactical Edge! If you have an area of expertise or would like to write on a particular topic, please contact editor@ntoa.org.

Submission guidelines

Online submission

In case you missed it, our spring 2024 issue is available online!



The Sid Heal Tactical Command College takes the professionalization of law enforcement to the next level by providing for the certification of team leaders and commanders. The curriculum consists of online education, residency courses and capstone project requirements.

“I found the college extremely beneficial and the best leadership training I have taken in my 25 years of law enforcement!”

Det. Sgt. Colin Mulacek

Plainvield (IL) Police Department

Member Tested and Recommended Program

The NTOA's Member Tested and Recommended Program has tested more than 3,000 products in real-world situations since 2003 and is regarded by many law enforcement agencies as paramount to their product purchasing decisions.

Testers Wanted: We are looking to fill some tester openings. If interested, please apply online: Tester Application

New Product Reviews

• Benchmade - Shootout
• TT - PlateCarrier
• NightStick - TWM 30
• 6ft Interlocking Riot Shield
• Patrol 10 E-Bike

Members: View entire database

Not a member? View public listing

Renew your membership!

Renew online so you don't miss an issue of The Tactical Edge.

Questions? membership@ntoa.org

The NTOA training program is one of the most credible and cost-effective in the country.

• Take a look at our scheduled training across the country and online.
• Read what students are saying about our training.



Contact: training@ntoa.org

Co-host training

Is your agency interested in co-hosting one of the NTOA's most sought-after training courses? We offer over 30 training topics! And, by co-hosting a course, your agency receives two complimentary student training spots!

Check here to learn more.