TTPOA/NTOA 2025 Debrief Symposium

Date: March 24, 2025

Time: 0800-1730

Location: 1050 Dairy Ashford St, Houston, TX 77079

Spring Branch ISD Athletics Complex (more details to follow)

Any questions contact Marco Lopez @ marco.lopez@ttpoa.org

***This Symposium is open to all current LEOs and active military personnel.***

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1- Legal Update: NTOA No-Knock Warrant Service

2- Critical Incident Review of the 2018 mass shooting terrorist attack in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting was an antisemitic terrorist attack that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  On Oct. 27, 2018, an active shooter entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where members of the Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light Jewish congregations gathered to engage in religious worship. The assailant entered the building armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 SIG pistols and a Colt AR-15 rifle. While inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, the assailant opened fire, killing and injuring members of the three congregations.  The horrific attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018, stole the lives of 11 innocent victims and wounded six others, including first responders, as they attempted to rescue surviving victims. It was the deadliest attack on any Jewish community in the United States.

Bio:

Steve Mescan is a 30-year veteran of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and has been a member of the SWAT Team for 25 years. He recently retired from his position with the SWAT Team's Tactical Operations Section, which is composed of subject matter experts who assist the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police command staff personnel with strategic initiatives, planning, and tactical resolve contingencies as they relate to all police operations. During his tenure with the Pittsburgh SWAT Team, he performed various roles, from entry operator to sniper, team leader, trainer, and tactical commander. He has been an instructor for the NTOA for over 18 years and co-authored the NTOA Team Leader Development Program. He has instructed numerous state tactical associations and has consulted as an expert to area SWAT Teams concerning SWAT operations. In 2009, he was part of a subject matter expert team that developed the tactical strategic plan for the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2018, he was the SWAT Team Leader involved in the response to the Tree of Life Synagogue Massacre. As of January 2024, he accepted a full-time position with the National Tactical Officers Association as the Director of Training and Education. Steve is the past president of the Pennsylvania Tactical Officers Association (PATOA); he served as the NTOA Eastern Director for 10 years and during his last two years as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the NTOA.  He is currently the Director of Training for the NTOA.

3- PIMA County, Arizona Hostage Rescue Debrief Overview

Hostage Rescue Operation: 

A debrief involving an 18-hour hostage situation of an 8-year-old incorporated a team transition and eventually a deliberate hostage rescue. The debrief highlights the challenges of a team transition, crisis negotiation philosophies, situational decision-making, and preparedness to increase the team’s probability of success.

Bio:

Patrick Hilliker began his law enforcement career in 1995 as a Corrections Officer with the Pima County (AZ) Sheriff's Department. In 1998, he was promoted to Commissioned Deputy. Patrick became a member of the SWAT Team in 2001 and was part of the team when it became regional in 2005. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and was the full-time Lead Supervisor for Pima Regional SWAT from 2008 until 2012. In 2020, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned as the Force Commander. In 2021, he was assigned as the SWAT Commander over the Tactical Response Section. He is the Southern Region Representative for the Arizona Tactical Officers Association and has taught for the National Tactical Officers Association for over 10 years.

4 -Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Search Warrant Debrief

JSO SWAT conducted a search warrant for the DEA Task Force that resulted in a SWAT Officer shot. The debrief highlights the shooting, the follow up from SWAT after the team learns an Officer has been shot, and the command-and-control issues faced during the event. Furthermore, it will discuss the physical and emotional toll this took on the injured Officer.

Bio:

Lt. Edward Rodgers:

Edward Rodgers began his law enforcement career in 2004 as a Police Officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Edward Rodgers joined the JSO SWAT Unit in February 2009. He worked in Patrol for 8 years before transferring to the SWAT Office/Gang Unit in 2012. Rodgers remained a Detective in the SWAT Office until he was promoted to Sergeant in July 2016. Sergeant Rodgers went to Patrol as a Patrol Sgt. until taking over the Gang Enforcement Squad in May 2017. Sergeant Rodgers remained in that position until he became a Team Leader when the JSO SWAT Unit became a full-time team in November 2017. Sgt. Rodgers was a Team Leader for multiple SWAT Squads and the Explosive Breaching Sgt. before getting promoted to the Tactical Sgt. position in November 2019. Sgt. Rodgers maintained the Tactical Sgt. position until being promoted to Lieutenant in July 2022. Lt. Rodgers returned to Patrol as a Watch Commander until returning as the SWAT Lt. in February 2023. Lt. Rodgers currently holds the SWAT/UAS/Criminal Apprehension Lt. position for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Bobby Nauss

Robert “Bobby” Nauss began his career with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2000 after graduating from the inaugural class of the Florida Police Corps that same year. He was a patrol officer and Zone 1 Task Force member for several years. In 2004, he became a member of the SWAT Team. In 2006, he joined the Sniper Team. Det. Nauss was a member of the Offender Tracking Unit, the Gang Unit, and the Criminal Apprehension Unit. Det. Nauss left Patrol in 2016 and was an Assistant Team Leader for the Sniper element when the SWAT team became a full-time team. Currently, he is a SWAT Operator, Sniper, and Perimeter Team Leader.

5-Austin Police Department Hostage Rescue Crisis Entry

APD SWAT/Jorge Pastore – EOW 11/11/23

On November 11, 2023, Austin Texas Police officers responded to a call of a stabbing. The Caller advised that there were several subjects that had been stabbed. When officers arrived, they made contact with one of the victims who advised two additional family members were still inside the residence with the suspect. Patrol officers forced entry into the residence and immediately met with gun fire from within the residence. APD SWAT was requested to assist, upon arrival an emergency entry was made to save the lives of the victims. The suspect barricaded himself in a bedroom and ambushed the entry team as they made entry killing Officer Jorge Pastore and seriously injuring Officer John Conner. Sgt. Rafael Rosales and Ofc Kevin Olejar will share the event and discuss lessons learned.

BIO:

Austin Police Department-Sgt Rafael Rosales share and discuss lessons learned.

Host Hotel:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West - Katy

16435 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77094 USA

Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=HOUPTES&groupCode=CES90S&arrivaldate=2025-03-23&departuredate=2025-03-24&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Any questions regarding lodging contact Susan Fillbrandt  281-788-3194

TTPOA believes in bringing in some of the best instructors in the country to share their knowledge and experience. If you have requests for a specific instructor or course, contact your Regional Director.