Assessment Review Request
NTOA Review Types
The NTOA provides custom, objective, third-party reviews and assessments of tactical teams and critical incidents. The reviews aim to enhance each requesting agency’s tactical capability and professionalism.
The NTOA provides subject matter experts to conduct these services and complete detailed reports identifying agency or team strengths, overall performance, and recommended improvement. As with any review or assessment, objectivity is critical to the process. The foundation of reviews and workshops is the 2018 Tactical Response and Operations Standards.
All reviews are coordinated through the Training Department of the NTOA and overseen by the Director of Training & Education. Each review and assessment process begins with preliminary discussions to determine the needs and objectives of the requesting agency. The NTOA then submits a formal scope of work outlining details and costs to the agency for consideration.
When the requesting agency accepts the scope of work and all contractual obligations are arranged, the NTOA conducts the assessment. Due to variances in travel costs, deadlines, complexities of specific teams or incidents, and the needs of the requesting agency, each review is unique, and expenses vary accordingly.
Full Team Review
The Full Team Review is a comprehensive assessment of the agency’s tactical team and includes both off-site work by the NTOA and an on-site visit. The Full Team Review includes, but is not limited to, the assessment and evaluation of the following:
• Tactics
• Policy and Procedure
• Training (Documentation, curriculum, instructors, and records.)
• Equipment
• Organization and Structure
• Leadership
• Selection and Retention
• Inter- and Intra-agency Relationships
• Firearms
• Pre- and Post-Mission Documentation
• Evaluation of Hostage / Crisis Negotiations Elements (CNT/HNT)
• Evaluation of integration with other special teams
Through the initial evaluations of an agency’s written policies, procedures, and documentation, coupled with on-site observations, interviews, and assessments, the reviewers determine a level of assurance on how the team comports with contemporary practices. The review culminates in an in-depth formal written analysis outlining the team’s congruence with modern practices and specific measures recommended for improvement.
Policy & Procedure Review
The Policy and Procedure Review focuses on an agency’s documentation-related tactical team operations. The focus of these reviews is the comparison of the agency’s written policies and the team’s written procedures to contemporary practices. Policy and procedure reviews are similar to the full team review but limited to how the team is governed and operates. The review culminates in a formal written evaluation and recommendations for improvement. The scope of work dictates policy and procedure review, and sometimes an on-site assessment is necessary to meet the requesting agency’s needs.
Training Management System Review
The Training Management System Review focuses on a holistic review of how the team evaluates training & education needs, develops training plans, and conducts and documents team training. The review focuses on developing practical, durable learning across a system that effectively utilizes limited training time and assets. These reviews are similar to a policy & procedure review and are limited in scope to evaluating the systems in place. The review culminates in a formal written evaluation along with recommendations for improving the training system. The review’s scope of work dictates whether an on-site assessment is necessary to meet the requesting agency’s needs.
Critical Incident Review
The Critical Incident Review provides the requesting agency with an objective third-party evaluation of its performance during a critical incident. The review evaluates the decisions and actions of law enforcement personnel during a particular crisis. Critical Incident Reviews are not limited to incidents involving tactical teams. The scope of work dictates Critical Incident Review site visits, which sometimes may not be necessary.