Class Details

The era of relying on “we’ve always done it that way” is over. In today’s climate, law enforcement professionals must be confident in their understanding of what the courts have deemed lawful and constitutional. This course, Mastering Search & Seizure: Vehicle Stops and Beyond, equips officers with the knowledge and skills to apply case law effectively in the field—ensuring their actions are not only effective but also defensible.

Led by nationally recognized legal instructor Daniel Foster, this training provides a practical, in-depth examination of U.S. Supreme Court and state-specific case law directly impacting search and seizure. Officers will learn how legal precedent shapes real-world policing, and how mastering it can help them avoid costly evidence suppression, strengthen prosecutions, and reduce agency liability.

Through engaging instruction, clear explanations, and real-world examples from his own law enforcement experience, Foster breaks down complex legal principles into actionable guidance that officers at any level can apply with confidence.

This is not your typical “death by PowerPoint” legal update. Mastering Search & Seizure: Vehicle Stops and Beyond is an immersive learning experience designed to keep officers engaged, motivated, and energized while gaining invaluable knowledge. Through lively discussion, practical examples, and real-world application, attendees don’t just sit and listen—they think, analyze, and participate.

This course is widely regarded as the most exciting and comprehensive search and seizure training available anywhere. Whether you’re a seasoned officer or brand new to the profession, you’ll walk away with tools that instantly improve your confidence and effectiveness in the field.

Every attendee will leave with course materials for ongoing reference, as well as the tools to elevate their decision-making in the field. Officers and agencies alike will benefit as participants build true constitutional confidence—the ability to carry out their duties effectively, ethically, and in full compliance with the law.

Who Should Attend

This class is ideal for every rank and position within a police department—patrol officers, detectives, supervisors, and administrators alike. It’s especially valuable for:

  • Proactive officers who want to conduct complete, legally sound traffic stops
  • Criminal interdiction officers seeking to enhance their ability to develop prosecutable cases
  • Officers preparing for promotion and looking to strengthen their legal foundation
  • Any law enforcement professional who wants to ensure their work stands up under the toughest courtroom scrutiny

No matter your role, this course delivers both the knowledge and the mindset to elevate your performance—and to do it with confidence rooted in the Constitution.

Topics include:

Legally defining a “search”

Systematically searching a vehicle

Trends in drug trafficking

Search warrants and exceptions

Identifying and controlling vehicle occupants

Roadside interviews and Miranda

Officer safety tactics

Obtaining legally sound consent to search

Proper K-9 utilization

Report writing, articulation, court preparation, testimony, and common defense tactics

Conducting your own legal research

Ethics and professionalism in 21st century policing

and MORE……….

 

About Your Instructor

Legal Authority founder and lead instructor Daniel Foster is recognized as one of the nation’s most sought-after legal instructors, bringing unmatched expertise and credibility to law enforcement training.  A veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, Foster began his law enforcement career in 2011 and currently serves as a sergeant in the patrol division of a medium-sized police department.  Over the course of his service, he has excelled in numerous roles, including special response team (SRT) Operator, drug recognition expert, field training officer, drug task force officer, and a variety of supervisory positions.  In his present assignment, he functions as both a shift supervisor and the department’s training coordinator, responsible for managing every aspect of the agency’s training program—from developing new recruits in the field training program to ensuring veteran administrators meet their annual requirements.

From the outset of his career, Foster recognized the critical importance of mastering constitutional law to guide effective and lawful policing.  His deep command of case law has directly contributed to numerous significant arrests and seizures.  Widely regarded by his peers as a case law expert, he has instructed tens of thousands of law enforcement officers and prosecutors nationwide.  His training seminars have been described as “career changing” by past attendees, with participants consistently praising his unique ability to break down complex legal concepts into practical, understandable, and actionable guidance.  Foster’s instruction equips officers at every level—from academy recruits to agency executives—with both the knowledge and confidence to apply sound constitutional practices in real-world scenarios.  Foster’s dedication and performance have earned him several prestigious awards and honors throughout his military and law enforcement careers.

Academically, he holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in criminal justice, underscoring his lifelong commitment to professional development.  With over a decade of professional instructional experience, he continues to raise the standard for legal training in law enforcement.

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Registration

  • Fee: $225

Prerequisites

Sworn law enforcement with arrest powers or prosecutor

Student Needs

Note-taking materials, law enforcement / prosecutor credentials