About Us

HISTORY OF THE HTOA

The Heartland Tactical Officers Association was established as the Metro Tactical Officers Association (MTOA) in 1989 by Steve Smith, Lenexa Police Department (retired). At that time seven different agencies representing sixty officers became the cornerstone of an organization that has continued to grow throughout the Midwest. In 2008 the association incorporated as the Kansas City Metro Tactical Officers Association (KCMTOA) and became a 501c3, non-profit organization with a Board of Directors. The association continued to attract other agencies that now boasts officers representing over 100 agencies in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois. In 2019, 30 years after the inception of the MTOA, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to change the name of the KCMTOA to the Heartland Tactical Officers Association (HTOA). That decision was not taken likely as the KCMTOA has a long history and has gained national prominence from the great work of many of its members. However, the association has become representative of many agencies throughout the Midwest, the heartland of the nation, and HTOA more accurately describes who we are. All support staff and instructors are law enforcement professionals who donate their time and talents for the betterment of the communities they serve.

_________________________________________________________

HTOA MISSION

Establish mutual aid contacts for operational issues

Develop training standards

Share training information, logistics, sites and instructors

Provide low-cost, high quality training to members

The HTOA provides annual training opportunities including a 40 hour Basic SWAT School every Spring and a 32 hour Advanced Tactical Operations Course every Fall.

In addition, we provide 4-6 courses per year in other topics including SWAT Supervision & Management, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Sniper, TEMS, Crisis Negotiations, as well as Instructor Certificaiton in Less-Lethal, Chemical Agents, and Noise-Flash Diversionary Devices.

________________________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP

Team - $ 200