For law enforcement agencies, our Award in Public Safety (Defensive Tactics) certification ensures offices can keep themselves safe and ensure compliance.

Law enforcement from police, sheriffs, border force, corrections to peace officers often require to carry and use tactical equipment such as baton, handcuffs and OC spray. IPSQA’s Award in Public Safety (Defensive Tactics) provides ISO17024:2012 compliant certification for using such specialized equipment and ensures officers exercise the use of force legally and appropriately.  

Graduates of this micro-credential are able to apply defensive tactics and integrate the use of appointments (handcuffs, baton and OC spray). This micro-credential certification does not cover the use of taser or firearms.

The Award in Public Safety (Defensive Tactics) [DTAC] requires the successful completion of three parts:

  • Part A: Supervised multi-choice examination
  • Part B: Practical skills assessment – observation of defensive tactics
  • Part C: Completion of portfolio of evidence including supervisor attestation and verified experience

Part A and B tests candidates against a range of knowledge and skill requirements including:

  • Tactical options frameworks
  • Legal and ethical considerations for use of force
  • Approach and initial contact
  • Pre-fight indicators
  • Use of force accountability
  • Preparation and maintenance of tactical equipment
  • De-escalation
  • Scene and subject assessment
  • Physical control and restraint methods
  • Use of tactical equipment
  • Documentation

Pre-requisites:

Candidate must hold prior to assessment:

  • CorePass First Aid II (Intermediate)

Notice:

For the purposes of IPSQA Assessment, the following techniques are prohibited: chokeholds, strangleholds, carotid restraints, hog-tying, hobble restraints, and the Maximal Restraint Technique (MRT).

Assessment Overview:

Part A: A standardized online exam is used as part of the assessment (Part A) and available in over 50 languages and tested under the supervision of a proctor. Accredited Testing Centres (ATCs) may also develop their own examination and subject it for moderation and approval by IPSQA (a fee applies).

Part B: As an ISO17024:2023 compliant certification product, the skill assessment is undertaken by an independent assessor (by subject matter experts). The assessment is not associated with any proprietary training, allowing agencies to deliver pre-assessment training as they best determine, let it be in-house or outsourced to a provider – how candidates get ready for assessment is up to you.

Part C: The candidate must also complete a prescribed logbook within 6 months and submit to IPSQA for assessment by a different assessor (assigned by IPSQA), not domiciled in the same country as the candidate as part of our Foreign Interference Protection (FIP) protocol which is unique to IPSQA. The logbook includes evidence verified by a supervisor and referenced to dispatched incidents to ensure authenticity.

IPSQA also offers a range of other related certification products including:

  • IPSQA CorePass® Tactical Communications
  • IPSQA CorePass® Body Worn Camera Operator
  • IPSQA CorePass® Competent Swimmer
  • IPSQA CorePass® Public Safety Radio
  • IPSQA CorePass® Incident Management
  • IPSQA CorePass® Lifesaving Bronze Medallion
  • IPSQA Certificate in Public Safety (Emergency Vehicle Operator)

Assessments are conducted in accordance with approved references such as:

Contact us or your local Accredited Testing Centre for further information.

Learn more about us.

Compare our product range.

Become an Accredited Testing Centre.