Law Enforcement Mountain Operations School
International Association of Chiefs of Police 2015LEMOS
Learning Objectives:1. Operations in austere rural environments require new
officer safety focus on weather, environment and mission with emphases on officer preparedness and tactical wilderness medicine.
2. Additional training is necessary to equip many officers assigned to areas where operation in austere rural environments is possible with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to incorporate appropriate officer safety focus and response.
3. The Law Enforcement Mountain Operations School has developed and demonstrated an effective approach to providing training to enhance officer safety knowledge, skills and attitude for operations in austere rural areas.
Law EnforcementMountain Operations SchoolNovember 2004 – Canadian Team on
IBET operation becomes stranded in deep snow.
December 14 – JMT identifies lack of cold weather operations training as significant problem and launches training project.
January 25, 2005 – JMT approves LEMOS
LEMOS Project
Identify training needs – specific skillsIdentify potential instructors from the
IBET RegionDevelop Basic Mountain Operations
CourseConduct pilot class/curriculum
develop conferenceDevelop training manual, checklists
and suggested equipment lists
PRIMARY SPONSORS 2015
LEMOSMISSION
To coordinate a multi-agency partnership to provide specialized law enforcement training and support in furtherance of the
mission, goals and objectives of the American/Canadian integrated border
enforcement initiatives.
Law Enforcement Mountain Operations School
Core Principles
Prevention: Planning, Preparation, Proficiency, Judgment
Awareness: Knowledge, Experience, Observation, Adaptation
Attitude: Confidence, Improvisation, Determination, Courage
GO FAR – GO SAFE – GO HOME
Basic Mountain Operations Course
BMOC
2005-2015 – 22 Classes
502 Graduates
38 Agencies
74 Cadre Members
Administration and Introduction - 2 hours
Mountain Operations - 14 hours
Survival – 10 hours
Field Craft & Tactics – 5 hours
Wilderness Tactical Medicine – 10 hours
Land Navigation – 12 hours
Final Practical Exercise – 6 hours
Review, Debrief and Evaluation – 1 hour
BMOC Outline – 60 hours
Administration & Welcome
Check – InIntroduction & LogisticsSafetyGear Dump
Mountain Operations
Basic Principles Avalanche SafetyWeaponsWinter Travel
Survival
Bushcraft BasicsFire and Shelter Day/Night Exercises
“Living Large”
Field Craft & Tactics
Cover/Concealment Individual/Team
Movement Patrolling Planning Leave No Trace Exercises
Land Navigation
MapsCompassGPSExercises
Wilderness Tactical Medicine
Tactical Combat Casualty Care
Review of BasicsCold Injury &
PreventionTrauma
ManagementSelf Aid/Buddy
Care Casualty
Movement
Other Training
Wilderness Operations 7 hour awareness level course.
LEMOS North (Canada)6 Day winter operations & skills training
Long Range Recon & Surveillance6 Day Tactical operations course
KEY FINDINGS
Generation X LEOs are less experienced than older generations.
Personnel are undertrained for wilderness operations.
Uniforms are generally poorly suited for winter/mountain operations.
Personnel preparedness mindset is lacking.
LEMOS graduates would like additional and or advanced training.
KEY FINDINGS 2
LEMOS graduates have attributed skills learned in the BMOC to successful and safe operations.
Wilderness operations skills are perishable and require on going practice and training.
Medical training – TC3 is becoming much more common and skill level has improved significantly.
LEMOS Future
LEMOS funding shifted to tuition based in 2013. Tuition is be adjusted based on costs.
Partner agencies continue a high level of support – CADRE.
Requests for BMOC slots are 2 to 1 without advertising course.
Project management to transition to WSU-DGSS in 2016
LEMOS Future 2
Priest Lake training site is secure for immediate future.
Additional training venues are being explored – WA State Fire Academy.
LEMOS can continue to provide technical assistance to allied courses.
Steven R. Tomson, Chief
Michael J. Gaffney, Deputy Chief
Keep your powder dry!
Go Far – Go Safe – Go HomeThank You !
Steve Tomson [email protected]
Mike [email protected]