Surveillance starts with analysis. We provide customized
training databases
For each city we teach in, our team uniquely programs searchable databases specific to that city. These training databases mimic Department of Licensing, CLEAR/TLO, Report Management Systems, and more in order to teach students how to correctly study and attribute historic call detail records before launching out on surveillance. Students will learn how to generate playbooks that will not only save time and money but increase officer safety.
Students must have Castviz.com installed on laptops prior to class. This is free historic cell record analysis software from the FBI.
State of Art surveillance equipment
ITAK/ATAK
Apart from being provided customized training databases specific to your city, our team will bring in equipment being used by top tier surveillance teams around the country. We will provide an Itak/Atak server for training along with monoscopes to be mounted onto cell phones for video and photographs. We will also provide three forms of coms- Primary Radios, Secondary Coms, and a private text chain.
Nine real world surveillance
scenarios
Students will not only be taught the importance of studying the suspect's historic cell records before launching out on surveillance, but actually how to conduct physical surveillance on vigilant targets as a team. Nine real world surveillance operations will be conducted with the goals of gathering evidence, flushing out co-conspirators, bedding down targets and more. These techniques have been used by instructors around the country on narcotic cases, murder cases, and more.
Approximately 25% of the time will be spent in the classroom while 75% of time will be out in the field.
This course is being taught by active law enforcement personnel who are currently using the most up to date strategies and equipment.
case development
strategies
This hybrid course will also show students various ways to build cases from an investigator's standpoint for court prosecution. Instructors will present case studies of violent crime operations that highlight the importance of combining cell record analysis and physical surveillance. Students will be provided a multitude of online resources that will assist in apprehensions and investigations.
By the end of this 40hr course, each student should feel comfortable knowing where to look for the 1,000+ meter ping and how to successfully latch onto a target and stay covert before it's time to move in overt.
July 2025 Class Reviews
"Outstanding course! The learning objectives are well developed, clear and relevant to surveillance operations. The practical portion is also as close to reality as training can be and reenforces the learning objectives through hands on experiences. The scenarios are well thought out and provide ample repetitions to become better at the skills needed to be successful. Unlike other trainings where instructors are former/retired/removed from the job, I appreciated that the instructors are relevant as they are doing the “work” currently and up to speed on the most effective tactics and strategies. I will highly recommend to my peers, whether they are an experienced detective with hundreds of hours of surveillance time or brand new trying to figure it out. Great work.”
DEA TFO
Develop Cases and Locate Suspects Through Physical Surveillance, Cell Record Analysis & Advanced Strategies
40 hour in person training
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, cell phones, social media and more, effective case development in criminal investigations requires a multifaceted approach. This training course offers a unique blend of physical surveillance techniques and historic cell record analysis, equipping participants with the skills to gather, analyze, and interpret data from both the physical environment and cell record footprints. Students will learn that when the two are combined, it is a powerful tool not only for apprehension but:
- Identifying and locating co-conspirators of violent crimes such as robberies and murders.
- Finding where the physical evidence went after the crime to help support your case for court (clothing, get away vehicle, firearms, etc.)
- Showing a team where to canvas for video and what direction the suspect(s) fled after the crime by analyzing Timing Advance.
- Identifying and finding potential stash houses and hideouts for narcotic investigations
In this course, we show teams how to actually latch onto the target in order to conduct physical surveillance. This course is about 30% the classroom and 70% out in the field.
Understanding Physical Surveillance
Participants will learn the fundamentals of physical surveillance, including observation techniques, situational awareness, and mission planning.
They will learn how to multitask and balance the use of playbooks, scopes, ITAK/ATAK, three forms of coms with staying hidden and completing the tasks for each given scenario.
There will be 8-9 violent crime scenarios out in the field where students must figure out how and where to latch onto the target. Once they latch on, they must work as a team to conduct surveillance in order to complete the operational goal(s).
Introduction to Cell Record Analysis
This day in age most investigators are no longer getting 5-10 meter pings. Because of this, you have to know the basics of analyzing historic cell record data to be able to put your team in the right place and the right time to latch onto your target.
This course will provide an overview of cell phone technology, including how call detail records (CDRs) work, and their relevance in investigative scenarios.
If you are not familiar with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T's Timing Advance / RTT data and more- you are behind the curve in surveillance preparation.
We will show students how to make playbooks and why this is important for not only finding targets, but locating evidence and identifying co-conspirators.
Designed for Detectives, SWAT, Task Forces and more:
This course is designed for Law Enforcement Officers, Detectives, Task Forces, Street Crime Teams and SWAT who are looking to enhance their investigative and apprehension capabilities through innovative techniques.
Our course is designed to be 25% in the classroom and 75% out in the field with eight to nine, live mock scene scenarios of real modern day violent crime cases that teach students how to combine technology with physical surveillance techniques and historic cell record analysis of a targets phone.
Immediate Success Story of Sex Offender Located
I cannot thank Cypher Operations Group enough for their training and expertise. Just days after taking the class, an absconded fugitive Sex Offender from California was found to have been hiding in our county for over a year. Detectives utilized several techniques learned in training with Cypher and ultimately had further questions on a ping warrant. The team fielded and responded to my emails and phone calls immediately providing their advanced knowledge which assisted greatly in service of the warrant. The suspect was located hours later hiding at a subjects home who was later located in attribution lists. The suspect was arrested on several new CSAM cases and Failure to Register.
THANK YOU CYPHER OPERATIONS GROUP!!
Respectfully,
Detective B. McCullough
Mason County Sheriff’s Office
Host a Course & Get Two Free Spots!
Contact us to host an in-person course. We will bring in all the gear. Students will need a vehicle, laptop, and cellphone.
Host agency will receive two free spots.
Students will need a laptop with CASTVIZ pre-installed and a PD Vehicle. They will also need a cell phone that can run Zello & WhatsApp.
We will provide scopes, Itak/Atak server, primary radio coms and more.
Daniel@cypheropsgroup.com
HIDTA Hosted Course (FREE to LE)
Limited spots left for our September 40hr, in person surveillance course that is hosted by HIDTA in Washington State. Link below
Modern-day Surveillance and Investigative Methods
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, cell phones, social media and more, effective case development in criminal investigations requires a multifaceted approach. Rarely do we get the 5-10 meter phone pings anymore. Because of this, we teach students modern day techniques and strategies on how to latch onto a target so that surveillance can be conducted to build a case, find evidence and apprehend targets.
These strategies are actively being used by instructors who are active LEO's.
Cell record analysis and surveillance techniques work nationwide.
May 2025 Class
Sgt. Renschler- Olympia, PD- "Good Pace. Well Planned. Applicable for new and experienced investigators. Good balance between field work and class room. This was within top 3 training classes for me with many hours completed in 23 years."
E. Leavengood- Port of Seattle PD- "I enjoyed the mix of PowerPoints, hands on computer work and in the field work to incorporate all the learning styles. It made the day go by fast. All of the feed back from both instructors was both positive and constructive. They are both super knowledgeable and bring great experiences and resources to the class."
D. Maclurg- Lacey PD- "Great combo of using the cell data, intel, and surveillance to locate the targets. Very systematic and easy approach to finding the suspects. I really enjoyed all of the hands on practice and follows. Great class, and highly recommended for anyone in this type of work."
J. Reisher- Olympia PD- "The blending of analyzing digital evidence with physical surveillance made this one of the most useful trainings I have attended. I had fun everyday and the time flew by. The scanarios were realistic and I learned something with each one."
Student Reviews
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C.H- Seattle PD
"The content was highly applicable to my daily duties. The cell analytics content was extremely valuable and the delivery of the info took a lot of mystery out of how to digest cell data."
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H. Linehan- Tukwila PD
"Very Fun! Light on powerpoint & Heavy on real / Practical exercises. The class was extremely well organized & engaging over the entire 40 hours"
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A.F- Pierce County SO
"The structure of the class was great. No time was wasted. The scenarios were realistic. The instructors were great at monitoring all aspects of the scenarios."
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J Carstensen- Renton PD
“For a beginner unfamiliar with cell records analysis the case studies were awesome to see different ways to find targets. Also, seeing the playbook for each scenario and how to use these strategies real time was extremely helpful.”
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N. McDonald- Lynnwood PD
"I very much enjoyed how the importance of cell record analysis was illustrated and how it helps significantly in directing physical resources to places with much high probability of locating the target for physical surveillance.”
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K. Saur- Washington State Patrol
“I enjoyed everything about the course. I appreciated the amount of knowledge the instructors had and the way it was shared with the class. I will be taking multiple aspects of the course back to my T.F to share. The playbook application will 100% be utilized. Great Course!”
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K McCain- Moses Lake PD
“Scenarios were always fun and great learning tools. Cell phone info is great. Things to consider and search for regarding cell phone data to help locate suspects and evidence.”
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G. Rieber- Puyallup PD
“All the cellphone stuff. Scenarios are thought out and relevant. PowerPoint is good. I really like the quiz process. I haven’t seen that before and liked it.”
Case Development through cell record analysis and physical surveillance course
- We provide comprehensive 40-hour, in-person training courses specifically tailored for law enforcement professionals, including officers, detectives, task force members, and SWAT personnel. Our program focuses on the fundamentals of physical surveillance and integrates practical, field-based scenarios. These real-world exercises are designed to reinforce surveillance techniques while simultaneously introducing effective case development strategies that can be immediately applied to advance violent crime investigations.
- Our courses also emphasize strategies to enhance officer safety in the field and improve operational efficiency in case management.
- Contact us to host an in-person course. Host agency will receive two free spots.
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Cypher Operations Group & Police Posts Collaboration
Check out the on demand physical surveillance course we filmed for Policeposts.com on their website. LEO Only.
