Highway Interdiction & Rural Patrol

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.