The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Command College is a certification program for leaders in the law enforcement special operations profession. The NTOA Command College places a strong emphasis on core leadership principles that have application to every work environment. Command, leadership, emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, risk management, liability reduction, mental health, interpersonal communication, motivation of personnel and change management are some of the important topics addressed in this program. Furthermore, students are required to successfully complete multiple Capstone research papers throughout the program.

Entry into this program includes meeting established pre-entry requirements and an application process, where applicants are screened and selected based upon application, resumé and entrance essay, along with supporting documents from the applicant’s agency.

The program is nearly 600 hours of course instruction and consists of three levels of certification: Tactical Leadership, Operational Leadership and Strategic Leadership. Graduates are accredited by the NTOA as credible leaders based upon their successful completion of the comprehensive academic program, in addition to meeting substantive standards of corroborated field experience. Program completion also aids in the reduction of both individual and organizational liability.

The NTOA Command College is attended by students worldwide and since the program’s inception in 2017, there are only 17 students that have completed the program in its entirety.

Sgt. Fletemier and Sgt. Jacob were graduates 13 and 14. Currently, Sgt. Fletemier and Sgt. Jacob are assigned to the West Bloomfield Police Department Patrol Division, where they oversee patrol operations on a daily basis.

Sgt. Fletemier and Sgt. Jacob are grateful for the opportunity to attend the NTOA Command College, and program completion could not have been accomplished without the ongoing support from the West Bloomfield Police Department Administration.

This program has provided career and agency changing instruction, which in turn has attributed to the legitimacy of our own Special Response Team. The NTOA core values of accountability, decision-making, leadership and professionalism have been permanently instilled within the Southwest Oakland County Special Response Team.

The Southwest Oakland County Special Response Team is a full-service, multi-jurisdiction special operations unit with capabilities to solve high-risk, complex, tense and rapidly evolving crisis events. Some team responsibilities include high-risk warrant service, barricaded persons, hostage-rescue, dignitary protection, fugitive apprehension, special events and response to spontaneous acts of violence.

Currently, the Southwest Oakland County Special Response Team has over 45 members, with roles specializing in High-Risk Entry, Sniper Operations, Tactical K9 Operations, Tactical Medicine, Technology, Drone Operations, Specialized Vehicle Drivers and a Crisis Negotiation Team. A trauma surgeon, and a mental health professional are embedded within the team as well. The members of the Special Response Team are committed to safeguarding all people and the communities they serve.