Class Description

A single, intensive day of instruction covering the tools, theory, and technique behind lawful rapid entry.

The course opens with the mechanical fundamentals of pin-tumbler locks: how pins, springs, and shear lines work together, and why that mechanical reality is what makes picking and bypass possible. From there, instruction builds step by step, moving from basic single-pin picking through raking techniques, and on to bypass methods for the lock types officers most often encounter in the field.

Topics Covered

• Pin-tumbler mechanics and lock anatomy
• Single-pin picking (SPP) technique
• Raking and bypass methods
• Residential and commercial deadbolts
• Padlocks, including shrouded and disc-detainer models
• Interior door and cabinet locks
• Legal considerations for on-duty use

Theory Meets Practice

Each topic is introduced with clear, mechanical explanation before moving to the workbench. Officers spend the majority of the day working hands-on with dozens of locks of varying makes and difficulty, repeating each technique until it becomes reliable under time pressure.

By the end of the day, officers leave with a working knowledge of how and why these techniques function, not just a memorized sequence of steps. That understanding is what allows the skills to transfer to locks they haven't seen before — a critical distinction for real-world, unpredictable field conditions. Each participant receives a professional starter lock pick set and a comprehensive course manual to take back to their department.