Added January 15, 2026

Highway Interdiction & Rural Patrol

Holden, ME · Apr 16–17, 2026 · 15 hours · $349.00

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Instructor

Barry Kilpela

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Description

This course is specifically designed for the uniformed patrol officer looking to advance their skillset in criminal/drug interdiction patrol tactics. Traffic stops are one of the most common and potentially dangerous interactions you will have while working the road, with all types of criminals traveling our jurisdictions daily. Make no mistake, these criminals become most vulnerable while in transit. This course takes students from that foundational principle and guides through each step of a successful, prosecutable interdiction traffic stop. Starting with initial observation and target selection of vehicle in motion, through report writing and courtroom testimony, students will be shown real life examples to refine their roadside communication skills, detect concealed criminal activity, and increase proactive
arrests.

This course is instructed and developed by Montana Highway Patrol Trooper and K9 Handler Barry Kilpela. Barry was a founding member of the state’s first criminal interdiction team and currently patrols the Interstate 94 corridor in rural Montana. During self-initiated cold traffic stops, Barry has been responsible for hundreds of major arrests ranging from drug smuggling to bank fraud to murder and has interdicted some of the largest cash and dangerous drug seizures in eastern Montana history. Keeping no secrets, Barry has formulated his teaching with the rural patrol officer in mind and instructs from his own real-life experience on the road and in the courtroom. Kilpela holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, an Advanced Peace Officer license, is a P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement instructor, and also serves as an adjunct collegiate instructor. Over the course of his career, Barry has received numerous awards, commendations, and recognitions for his work in criminal interdiction and is a previous recipient of the Montana Narcotic Officer Association’s “Narcotics Officer of The Year” Award.

Reviews for this course

4.9/5.0 (58 reviews)
5★
54
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4
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0
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Antonius M.
ND

Great class, very informative and great tips for ways of preforming my duties as an officer

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Richard L.
ND

Instructor was very helpful

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Stephen B.
ND

Great class with a lot of useful information and tactics to utilize in the field.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Mike Y.
ND

It was a very knowledgeable course.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Kiel R.
ND

class was good but volume on the videos was two loud

★★★★☆ 4/5 · Instructor: ★★★★☆ 4/5
Nathan W.
ND

Great information, real world application for rural policing. Would make great addition to all new officers training

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Denver O.
ND

Very well presented. Great job!!

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Hannah E.
ND

Lots of information and it was good to see how Barry interacts with people. This class is very helpful especially as a new deputy.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Dylan G.
ND

Very good class, was always engaged and things were explained well.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Zach S.
ND

Provides an insight into in depth insight into his experiences with interdiction and gave useful information on how to implement into my work.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Kayla R.
ND

This training was fun, easy to follow, and I love that the videos are actually from the instructor.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Alexis A.
ND

Instructor was very knowledgeable on criminal interdiction topics. Nice refresher course

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Phil W.
ND

Very good course.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Erin Q.
ND

No

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Jordan M.
ND

Good break down on all topics. Breaks it down and puts interdiction all together so its understandable.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Garrett N.
ND

This was the best interdiction course I’ve ever attended and I’ve attend numerous courses throughout my career.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Trey J.
LA

Barry is a great instructor. Very open to answering questions, and the course material was great! Definitely added some more tools to the tool box to utilize!

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Timothy M.
LA

This course was outstanding and the instructor was top notch. Sergeant Kilpela is clearly passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about this class and material. I can’t not recommend him and this course enough.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Timothy M.
LA

This course was outstanding and the instructor was top notch. Sergeant Kilpela is hands down the best instructor I’ve ever had. He is clearly passionate about this course and is incredibly knowledgeable.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Colby W.
LA

The best interdiction class I’ve ever been to. Broad overview of all the “hot topics” of interdiction. Great for beginners.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Dylan B.
LA

Very good introduction to interdiction course. Highly recommended for officers of all experience levels

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Jennifer L.
LA

One of the more informative classes I've attended. The instructor, Kilpela, has a calm clear disposition which makes his form of teaching enjoyable. I also appreciate that his teaching utilizes his own videos and his proven method.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Celeste R.
LA

Great class learned several new techniques on interdiction.

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Timothy R.
LA

Very well prepared and executed. The instructor was very knowledgeable and did not bore with “look at me” stories

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5
Andres S.
LA

N/A

★★★★★ 5/5 · Instructor: ★★★★★ 5/5

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