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Course detail: Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Terrorism and the Sovereign Citizens Movement
Domestic terrorism and the Sovereign Citizen movement often share overlapping ideologies, narratives, and behavioral characteristics that present complex and evolving threats to public safety. To effectively recognize and respond to these threats, law enforcement officers must understand the belief systems, motivations, and operational tactics associated with these individuals and groups.
This course provides an in-depth examination of domestic terrorist ideologies and the Sovereign Citizen movement, with a focus on indicators of extremist behavior, common tactics, and risk factors associated with violence and criminal activity. Participants will learn officer-safety-oriented response considerations, investigative strategies, intelligence-sharing protocols, and available local, state, and federal resources that support effective case development and inter-agency collaboration. By the end of the course, officers will be better equipped to recognize, investigate, and respond to the unique challenges posed by domestic terrorism and Sovereign Citizen-related activities.
Core Competencies:
Law and Investigations / Operations / Professionalism
Applies legal, investigative, and intelligence-based approaches to identify extremist ideologies, assess threat indicators, and respond to domestic terrorism and Sovereign Citizen activity in a manner that enhances officer safety, supports lawful investigations, and promotes coordinated inter-agency response.
Course Objectives
- Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify key characteristics of domestic terrorism, including organizational structures, funding mechanisms, and common attack methods.
- Recognize indicators associated with Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVE) and apply appropriate response considerations, investigative techniques, and available law enforcement resources.
- Identify Sovereign Citizen ideologies, motivations, and behaviors, including patrol contact considerations and investigative approaches.
- Apply relevant case law and legal frameworks to ensure constitutional, lawful, and effective enforcement actions related to extremist and Sovereign Citizen activity.
- Explain the historical development and evolution of domestic terrorism and the Sovereign Citizen movement to better identify emerging trends and threats.
Instructional Methods
- Lecture
- Practical exercises
- Individual and guided research activities
Who Should Attend
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Corrections Officers
- Crime Analysts
- Criminal Prosecutors
- Arson Investigators
Course Requirements
- 100% attendance
- Active participation in lecture discussions, practical exercises, and in-class research activities
Notice of Availability of the KLETC Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
The University of Kansas has determined that the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) main campus in Hutchinson and its regional sites in Dodge City, Hays, and Parsons are separate campuses. This determination was made in consultation with the Department of Education. The report is available online t: https://civilrights.ku.edu/clery. The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the procedures the institution will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred On-Campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-Campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the institution or a recognized student organization; and on Public Property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 785-864-6414 or emailing civilrights@ku.edu or arrange for pick-up at a KLETC location.
