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ARREST & CONTROL IN EDMONTON, AB
PPCT Threat Pattern Recognition Use of Force
Handcuffing & Baton Certification
Develop the knowledge and skills to make sound decisions under pressure, safely manage physical confrontations, and carry out authorized physical interventions with confidence and professionalism as a security professional.
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"A major highlight of the experience was the instructor. Dave Suffern is an exceptional instructor who brings both deep knowledge and real-world experience into the classroom. He has an effortless ability to teach PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) in a way that is clear, efficient, and easy to understand, regardless of prior experience. His teaching style is confident, supportive, and highly effective, ensuring that every concept is thoroughly explained and properly demonstrated. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a skilled instructor and to train with a program as professional and impactful as Talon Point Defence. I would highly recommend this training to anyone seeking top-tier defensive tactics education."
- Miralem S.
When Every Decision Matters
Most shifts end without incident. But when a situation escalates into a physical confrontation, the decisions you make in the next few seconds can affect your safety, the wellbeing of everyone involved, and the outcome of the incident.
Threat Pattern Recognition Use of Force (PPCT®) training prepares security professionals to recognize threats early, assess situations effectively, and respond with appropriate control tactics when physical intervention becomes necessary. The result is greater preparedness, sound decision-making, and the ability to respond professionally when physical intervention becomes necessary.
What Does PPCT Give You?
PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) is a proven defensive tactics system that integrates survival-stress science, gross-motor skills, and a clear resistance/control continuum—built to perform under pressure and stand up to legal scrutiny. It is the international standard for use of force training in the law enforcement and security industries. What You'll Gain: ✔ Make legally and professionally defensible use-of-force decisions: Understand use-of-force principles, documentation requirements, and how to articulate your actions with confidence. ✔ Improve your tactical awareness and officer safety: Use positioning, movement, and reactionary-gap management to reduce risk before and during physical confrontations. ✔ Apply effective control tactics: Learn practical nerve point applications, joint controls, and takedown mechanics to safely gain and maintain control. ✔ Perform safe, consistent handcuffing techniques: Develop reliable, policy-aligned handcuffing skills that can be applied safely and professionally. ✔ Perform under pressure: Build the ability to think clearly and execute techniques effectively in dynamic, high-stress situations. ✔ Build confidence through realistic scenarios: Validate your skills through instructor-led scenario training that bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world. Our classes follow the full PPCT standards, include all required practical assessments, and provide official certification upon successful completion.

ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Enrol?
This course is designed exclusively for professionals who are authorized to perform physical interventions as part of their role, including:
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Licensed security professionals — Internal security staff and contract security personnel who currently hold a valid Alberta Security Services licence, including supervisors and team leads.
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AGLC-regulated security personnel — Protection staff working within AGLC-governed organizations, including casinos, bars, and other licensed premises.
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Peace officers and protective services — Peace officers, special constables, and other protective-services personnel who hold an active Alberta appointment.
COURSE OPTIONS
Which Course is Right for You?
I'm New to PPCT
Purpose
Develop the practical skills to safely control, restrain, and handcuff resistant subjects using PPCT's evidence-based control tactics system.
Ideal For
Security guards, casino security personnel, and other security professionals who are granted permission by their employers to make arrests.
What You'll Learn
Learn to confidently apply tactical handcuffing techniques while making sound, legally defensible decisions under pressure. Training includes pressure point control tactics, joint manipulations, escort techniques, control positions, defensive applications, human factors, legal authorities, articulation, and realistic practical scenarios.
Duration
2 days, usually Saturday to Sunday.
Certification Prerequisites
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Current Alberta Security Services Licence
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OR current Alberta Peace Officer appointment
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OR employed with AGLC (casino or bar)
Outcome
Receive your PPCT Handcuffing Certification upon successful completion, demonstrating competency in safe, effective, and legally defensible handcuffing and control tactics. Certification is valid for one year.
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Purpose
Develop the knowledge, judgment, and practical skills to safely control, restrain, and handcuff resistant subjects using PPCT's internationally recognized, evidence-based defensive tactics system.
Ideal For
Security guards, peace officers, casino security personnel, and other professionals who require both handcuffing and expandable baton certification.
What You'll Learn
Build the confidence to make sound use-of-force decisions while applying effective control tactics in real-world situations. Training includes tactical handcuffing, expandable baton deployment and retention, pressure point control tactics, joint manipulations, escort techniques, takedowns, weapon retention, human factors, legal authorities, articulation, and realistic scenario-based training.
Certification Prerequisites
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Current Alberta Security Services Licence
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OR current Alberta Peace Officer appointment
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OR employed with AGLC (casino or bar)
Duration
5 days, usually Saturday to Wednesday.
Outcome
Receive your PPCT Handcuffing & Baton Certification upon successful completion, demonstrating you have met the standard for safe, effective, and legally defensible control tactics. Certification is valid for one year.
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I Already Have Handcuffing
Purpose
If you already have your handcuffing certification, complete just 3 additional days of training to upgrade to a PPCT Handcuffing & Baton Certification.
Ideal For
Security professionals, peace officers, and casino security personnel renewing their PPCT Handcuffing & Baton certification.
What You'll Learn
Refresh and validate your proficiency in PPCT control tactics while reviewing current legal principles and best practices. Training reinforces tactical handcuffing, expandable baton skills, pressure point control tactics, joint manipulations, weapon retention, articulation, human factors, and scenario-based applications to ensure your skills remain current and operationally effective.
Recertification Prerequisites
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Current, valid PPCT Handcuffing Certification
Duration3 days, usually Monday to Wednesday.
Outcome
Receive your PPCT Handcuffing & Baton Certification upon successful completion, demonstrating you have met the standard for safe, effective, and legally defensible control tactics. Certification is valid for one year.
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I Need to Renew
Purpose
Maintain your PPCT Handcuffing certification while reinforcing the knowledge and practical skills required to safely and effectively restrain resistant subjects.
Ideal For
Security guards, casino security personnel, and other professionals renewing their PPCT Handcuffing certification.
What You'll Learn
Refresh your proficiency in tactical handcuffing and control tactics while reviewing current legal principles and operational best practices. Training reinforces pressure point control tactics, escort techniques, joint manipulations, articulation, human factors, and practical scenario-based applications to maintain confidence and competency.
Duration
1 day, usually Sunday
Recertification Prerequisites
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Current, valid PPCT Handcuffing Certification
Outcome
Receive a renewed PPCT Handcuffing Certification valid for one year, confirming continued competency in PPCT handcuffing and control tactics.
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Purpose
Maintain your PPCT Handcuffing & Baton certification while reinforcing the skills and decision-making needed to safely and effectively manage resistant subjects.
Ideal For
Security professionals, peace officers, and casino security personnel renewing their PPCT Handcuffing & Baton certification.
What You'll Learn
Refresh and validate your proficiency in PPCT control tactics while reviewing current legal principles and best practices. Training reinforces tactical handcuffing, expandable baton skills, pressure point control tactics, joint manipulations, weapon retention, articulation, human factors, and scenario-based applications to ensure your skills remain current and operationally effective.
Recertification Prerequisites
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Current, valid PPCT Handcuffing & Baton Certification
Duration3 days, usually Monday to Wednesday.
Outcome
Receive a renewed PPCT Handcuffing & Baton Certification valid for one year, confirming continued competency in PPCT control tactics.
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"The coach for the PPCT course was very good and professional. He explained the techniques in a clear and simple way, so everyone could understand. He made sure all students learned each step before moving ahead. His teaching style was easy to follow and helped build confidence during training.
The coach always focused on safety. He corrected mistakes politely and helped students improve. He encouraged everyone to take part and gave useful feedback. He also shared real-life examples, which made the training more helpful."
- Nitin V.
Meet Your Instructor

Dave Suffern, CPP
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & CONSULTING
With more than 30 years of experience in peace officer roles, security management, and professional training, Dave has worked across numerous industries including corrections, retail, healthcare, and the education sector. Having taught PPCT for over 25 years, he brings practical insight to every course.
Known for his calm, approachable teaching style, Dave creates an environment where participants feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and building confidence through practice. He teaches without ego, prioritizing safety, professionalism, and practical application so every participant leaves better prepared for the responsibilities of the job.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Why Choose TalonPoint?
PPCT certification should do more than help you meet a job requirement—it should prepare you to perform your role safely, professionally, and confidently. Here's how our approach is different.
✔ Training Designed for Security Professionals
Our courses are built around the realities of the security industry—not law enforcement. You'll learn techniques, decision-making, and tactical responses that reflect the authority, responsibilities, and situations security professionals encounter every day.
✔ Training You Can Apply on Your Next Shift
Skills are integrated with workplace policies, post orders, incident reporting, and operational procedures so they translate directly to the environments you'll be working in. Our goal isn't simply to teach techniques—it's to help you understand how and when to apply them effectively within your organization's expectations.
✔ Confidence Through Safe, Realistic Practice
Participants develop confidence through deliberate repetition, realistic scenarios, and progressively increasing levels of stress, helping ensure you can recall your skills and perform effectively under pressure—even months after completing the course. Small class sizes provide individualized instruction, immediate feedback, and the opportunity to ask questions about the real-world situations you may encounter on the job. Every aspect of our instruction is designed to challenge participants in a controlled learning environment while minimizing unnecessary training injuries—helping you stay healthy, stay working, and stay prepared for the risks of the job.
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"Took PPCT and TalkSafe with Dave Suffern. Excellent instructor who uses his years of experience to teach the lessons. Highly recommend."
- Dexter M.
Private Group Training for Organizations
Need to certify or recertify multiple staff members? We deliver customized PPCT training that fits your organization's operational requirements, scheduling needs, and workplace policies—helping your team develop consistent, policy-aligned arrest-and-control skills so you can have confidence in how they'll respond when physical intervention becomes necessary. As a dedicated training provider, our focus is on developing your people—not recruiting them.
Your organization benefits from:
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Training Built Around Your Environment - Whether your team works in healthcare, retail, education, municipal facilities, or other security environments, we tailor scenarios, discussions, and practical application to reflect the situations your staff are most likely to encounter.
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Aligned With Your Policies & Risk Profile - Every organization has different responsibilities, authorities, and expectations. We work with you to ensure the techniques, tactics, and decision-making we teach align with your policies, operational procedures, and level of risk. Your team won't leave wondering which techniques apply to your workplace—and you won't be left wondering where they learned something that doesn't.
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Consistent Standards Across Your Team - Ensure every participant is trained to the same professional standard using a consistent decision-making framework and practical skills that can be applied confidently in the field.
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Flexible Delivery Options - Train at our Edmonton facility at no additional facility cost, or have our instructors deliver the course at your location anywhere in Western Canada.
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Simplified Administration - We provide attendance records, certification documentation, and training records to support your organization's compliance and record-keeping requirements.
REGISTER NOW
Find a Course That Fits Your Schedule
Choose the date and certification option that works best for you. Browse our upcoming training dates and reserve your spot as an individual or with a small group. Certification and recertification options are available within each scheduled course.
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"TalonPoint is top notch. If you are worried about going to class, just know Dave and his instructors are very personable. They always make you feel welcome and have the time to check on students whenever they are teaching. I will always recommend TalonPoint if you're looking at anything self defense."
- Julian C.
UP YOUR GAME
Tactical Guard Training
Get the two most crucial skills every security professional needs — verbal and physical — in one discounted training package. This bundle combines the 1-day TalkSafe (professional communication & de-escalation) with PPCT Defensive Tactics handcuffing, giving you the complete foundation to stay safe, keep others safe, and handle real-world situations with confidence. You’ll learn how to: • Use TalkSafe to defuse tension early and communicate clearly under pressure • Apply PPCT techniques safely, legally, and effectively • Stay calm, composed, and in control during high-risk encounters • Protect yourself, clients, and the public through smart, professional decision-making • Stand out as a capable, well-rounded, tactical security professional Ideal for: Guards, loss-prevention officers, protective services staff, and anyone who wants stronger, safer skills beyond basic licensing — at a reduced cost.





















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