Brian Konopka
Brian Konopka
, PA
Brian Konopka is assigned to a highway criminal interdiction team in the northeastern United States responsible for conducting trafficking investigations on several of the nation’s largest interstate corridors. He brings fourteen years of law enforcement experience with a focus on proactive criminal interdiction.
Throughout his career, Konopka has personally seized dozens of kilograms of narcotics, including more than 180 pounds of cocaine, approximately 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and millions of dollars in U.S. currency. He was the recipient of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program award for the Largest Criminal Highway Interdiction Cocaine Seizure of 2021 and has been received in court as an expert in drug trafficking and highway criminal interdiction.
Prior to his law enforcement career, Instructor Konopka served in the United States Marine Corps and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his military service, he earned a Master of Science degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in Terrorism and Security Studies. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in criminal justice.
Throughout his career, Konopka has personally seized dozens of kilograms of narcotics, including more than 180 pounds of cocaine, approximately 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and millions of dollars in U.S. currency. He was the recipient of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program award for the Largest Criminal Highway Interdiction Cocaine Seizure of 2021 and has been received in court as an expert in drug trafficking and highway criminal interdiction.
Prior to his law enforcement career, Instructor Konopka served in the United States Marine Corps and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his military service, he earned a Master of Science degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in Terrorism and Security Studies. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in criminal justice.
Courses
Training courses currently offered.
Blue Line Interdiction
8 Hours
This course is designed for proactive police officers seeking to expand their knowledge and effectiveness in criminal interdiction. The program is structured to benefit both rookie and experienced officers by providing a clear understanding of how Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) operate and how officers can strategically position themselves for success during traffic stops.
Officers will learn a disciplined, methodical approach to locating, identifying, and seizing narcotics, illicit currency, and other forms of contraband. The course covers the legal framework for identifying vehicles involved in criminal activity, recognizing criminal indicators, conducting effective vehicle searches, and identifying advanced concealment methods commonly used by DTOs.
Instructor Brian Konopka draws on real-world experience to address interdiction efforts conducted on interstates, highways, and rural roadways. Students will learn how to properly articulate reasonable suspicion and probable cause under the totality of the circumstances. The course also walks officers through building a complete interdiction case—from initial observation to enforcement action—by recognizing reactions to police presence, identifying deceptive behavior, understanding the role of drug traffickers, and effectively requesting consent during traffic stops.
Additional instruction includes the use of free and readily available investigative tools, proper articulation of observations made during traffic stops, and techniques for advancing an investigation beyond the initial stop when legally justified.
Instructor Brian Konopka is actively enrolled in and pursuing a doctoral degree in Criminal Justice, ensuring the course content reflects both practical field experience and current legal and academic standards.
Officers will learn a disciplined, methodical approach to locating, identifying, and seizing narcotics, illicit currency, and other forms of contraband. The course covers the legal framework for identifying vehicles involved in criminal activity, recognizing criminal indicators, conducting effective vehicle searches, and identifying advanced concealment methods commonly used by DTOs.
Instructor Brian Konopka draws on real-world experience to address interdiction efforts conducted on interstates, highways, and rural roadways. Students will learn how to properly articulate reasonable suspicion and probable cause under the totality of the circumstances. The course also walks officers through building a complete interdiction case—from initial observation to enforcement action—by recognizing reactions to police presence, identifying deceptive behavior, understanding the role of drug traffickers, and effectively requesting consent during traffic stops.
Additional instruction includes the use of free and readily available investigative tools, proper articulation of observations made during traffic stops, and techniques for advancing an investigation beyond the initial stop when legally justified.
Instructor Brian Konopka is actively enrolled in and pursuing a doctoral degree in Criminal Justice, ensuring the course content reflects both practical field experience and current legal and academic standards.