Officer Daniel Mills of the Raleigh Police Department has become the first officer to earn the Level 4 ribbon in the Officer Control Tactics Program (OCTP). The program consists of five levels, each with three main components: Knowledge, Skill, and Sparring. On July 25, Mills completed the Level 4 test, which included breaking down and presenting a Supreme Court case, sparring against five skilled opponents without rest, and engaging in a simulated fight against multiple attackers.
Mills also excelled in teaching elements of the program, demonstrating leadership and expertise. His achievement marks a first in the history of OCTP within the department.
Mills commented on his experience with OCTP training: “The program is very informative and the testing, especially the most recent one, was challenging; requiring you to not only draw from a knowledge of subject control techniques, but from a knowledge of the law as it applies to use of force scenarios,” said Mills. “Developing better subject control skills can help keep both officers and suspects safer in volatile situations, and as one of the key aspects of our job, should be a skill that is continually fostered and made to evolve as the rest of the job continues to as well.”
The department noted that OCTP uses real experiences from Raleigh police officers to teach techniques aimed at improving safety for both officers and suspects.
