Meridian, Idaho – The Idaho State Police (ISP) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2024 Idaho “Top Gun” narcotics investigation course. This week-long event, hosted at Gowen Field by the Idaho National Guard, brought together nearly 40 participants, including law enforcement officers and prosecutors from Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, for an intensive undercover narcotics training program.
Funded by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the “Top Gun” course is a critical component in the ongoing battle against illegal narcotics. The program equips participants with essential legal and practical skills through classroom lectures and hands-on, real-world scenarios.
Graduates of the program are now prepared to investigate, build, and prosecute cases against narcotics traffickers, enhancing their ability to protect their communities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA for making this program possible and to the Idaho National Guard for hosting this important training,” said ISP Lieutenant Jess Stennett, a graduate of the “Top Gun” program and the program administrator. “It’s a massive undertaking, requiring the support and cooperation of law enforcement agencies from multiple states, role players, and dedicated instructors. This course helps participants progress in a ‘walk, run, sprint’ fashion—building their skills step by step until they are fully prepared to handle complex narcotics investigations.”
Stennett also extended his thanks to the numerous agencies involved, including Idaho sheriff’s offices, municipal police departments, the Oregon State Police, the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as Latah and Canyon counties.
“The strength of this training lies in the collaboration of law enforcement and prosecutors working together to combat the drug threat in our state. We couldn’t have done this without the dedicated role players and expert instructors, all of whom are graduates of this very program,” Stennett added.
As the week wrapped up, participants gained valuable experience conducting undercover narcotics investigations. They learned to navigate the legal intricacies of these operations—skills that will directly impact their work in communities across Idaho, Oregon, and beyond.