1 Day Course
Critical Incident Response
We Train You for Critical Incidents, Before They Train You.
Overview
In this high-impact, eight-hour course, students learn to respond to and safely resolve the most demanding incidents law enforcement faces. The course covers the legal, tactical, and operational dimensions of critical incident management in a single, integrated training day.
Students will learn how to define and categorize a critical incident, apply de-escalation techniques to reduce situational intensity and increase voluntary compliance, and conduct threat analysis to identify the immediate threat to life and determine legal authority. The course covers Command and Control — including the difference between Incident Command and Tactical Command and when to transition between them — along with perimeter establishment, evacuation planning, and the mobilization of personnel.
Training scenarios address active shooter response, solo and hostage barricade situations, mobile suspect tactics, and the integration of EMS and Rescue Task Force concepts. Students also receive instruction on Officer Involved Shooting incident management, crisis negotiation fundamentals, media relations during a critical incident, crime scene management, and post-incident debrief and after-action protocol.
By the end of the course, every student leaves with a decision-making framework they can apply immediately — at any rank, in any critical incident scenario.
Who Should Attend
Critical incidents do not sort themselves by rank or years on the job. The patrol officer on the first call, the sergeant managing the perimeter, the watch commander coordinating resources, and the investigator arriving after the scene is secured — every one of them has a role, and every one of them benefits from a shared framework.
This course is designed for anyone in law enforcement who may find themselves inside a critical incident — regardless of rank, assignment, or experience level.
- Patrol Officers
- Field Sergeants
- Lieutenants and Watch Commanders
- Dispatchers
- Investigators and Detectives
- Incident Commanders
- Corrections Personnel
New to tactics? This course is built for you.
You do not need a SWAT background or years of tactical experience to get full value from this training. If you wear a badge and respond to calls, Dispatch calls, this course gives you the foundation, the framework, and the confidence to act decisively when a routine call becomes anything but.
Seminar Highlights
- Use of Force Case Law — Current legal authority and case law that governs every force decision in the field
- De-Escalation Techniques — Proven methods for reducing situational intensity and increasing voluntary compliance without sacrificing officer safety
- Threat Analysis — How to assess the immediate threat to life, identify the crime, and determine legal authority in real time
- Command & Control / ICS — The difference between Incident Command and Tactical Command — and when to transition between them
- Active Shooter Response — Immediate response vs. coordinated response protocols and when each applies
- Hostage & Barricade Tactics — Solo barricade, hostage barricade, and mobile suspect response frameworks
- Crisis Negotiation — Fundamentals of crisis communication and de-escalation through negotiation
- OIS Protocol — Officer Involved Shooting incident management from minute one through investigation
- Post-Incident Management — EMS integration, Rescue Task Force concepts, media relations, crime scene control, and after-action debrief
Course Agenda
Instructors
Testimonials
I liked the scenarios — thinking them through and using what we were taught — and I liked the four breakdowns for applying incidents. The instructor did a great job holding the room's interest, using great videos and scenarios to teach the material.
Angel
EPAPD
What I liked best about this class was the scenarios — they let us hear people's ideas and why they decided what they did, and helped us plan for contingencies.
Salvador
East Palo Alto PD
What I liked best about this class was the classroom discussion and group activities. The instructor was professional and cordial.
Vish
Sonoma County SO
What I liked best about this class was the real-life, local scenarios used for class exercises. Lots of information was provided for one to learn and be reminded about during a critical incident — this class is beneficial for everyone from a one-year officer to a veteran officer.
John
Santa Clara S.O.
What I liked best about this class was simplifying and breaking down a complex, unfolding event into easy, step-by-step tasks. Chris Sciba is well versed and knowledgeable, and he breaks down the course material into an easy-to-understand format.
Jason
SJPD
I found the scenarios at the end of the class were very helpful for real-life situations. Although it was a short class, I did get some very helpful information.
Derek
Paradise PD
What I liked best about this class was the variety of scenarios and working with other agencies — working through scenarios and visual aids gave me a different perspective from officers with varying positions and experience levels. The instructor was very knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Jaleesa
Vallejo PD
What I liked best about this class was the real events used as samples and exercises. I think I liked the class even more since the examples were local, which made it more relatable to me.
Ken
Milpitas PD
What I liked best about this class was the real-world examples and exercises. Regardless of rank, experience, or time on the job, this class was relevant and helpful.
Eric
Milpitas PD
What I liked best about this class was debriefing the scenarios presented via class discussion — it makes you think through situations. I enjoyed the class and definitely learned something I'll take back to my agency.
Ciro
Salinas PD
Chris was very knowledgeable on the topic of critical incident management, and his experience and feedback were incredibly helpful. He allowed people to give feedback and ask questions and never rushed the students. Chris fostered a quality learning environment, engaged the students, and welcomed group feedback throughout. I also appreciated that there wasn't a ton of PowerPoint slides, and that he took a reasonable amount of breaks.
Isaac
Milpitas PD
I really liked how he broke down the four priorities for responding to a critical incident, including the deployment considerations list. Great class — a lot of awesome info to share with my crew.
Jorge
Pittsburg PD
What I liked best about this class was going over real scenarios and thinking through all of the possible solutions.
Stephen
EPAPD
What I liked best about this class was his real-life experience and the PowerPoint presentation, along with the framework for how to handle a critical incident. This course should be required for both new and seasoned first-line supervisors.
Nawa
The training was highly engaging and practical. I especially appreciated the real-world scenarios and hands-on exercises — the instructor is very knowledgeable! The training was well organized and impactful.
Martin
SJPD
What I liked best about this class was the real-life, local scenarios used for class exercises. Lots of information was provided for one to learn and be reminded about during a critical incident — this class is beneficial for everyone from a one-year officer to a veteran officer.
John
Santa Clara S.O.
What I liked best about this class was simplifying and breaking down a complex, unfolding event into easy, step-by-step tasks. The Instructor is well versed and knowledgeable, and he breaks down the course material into an easy-to-understand format.
Jason
San Jose Police Department
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