MONDAY, February 2, 2026 Seminar Sessions
Recognizing your Leadership Style: Know Yourself, Lead Better.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | COMMERCE ROOM
Leadership isn’t just about rank, it’s about how you lead under pressure, communicate in critical moments, and inspire those around you. Your leadership style shapes how you make decisions, manage your team, and build trust within your agency and community. In this session, we’ll explore the most common leadership styles and how they impact teamwork, morale, and operational success. Through a guided self-assessment, you’ll identify your own style, recognize your strengths, and pinpoint areas where you can adapt to meet the demands of your role. We’ll discuss how to flex your approach to different situations, avoid common leadership pitfalls, and bring out the best in your team. You’ll leave with practical strategies to leverage your style, strengthen relationships, and turn potential into reality.
PRESENTERS: Paul Laney, President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting, LLC, and Mary Phillippi, President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting, LLC
Paul D. Laney served as Sheriff in Cass County, ND from 2007-2018. He worked for the Fargo Police Department from 1989-2007. He is a Marine Corps veteran. Sheriff Laney is co-owner/CEO of PDL Connect Consulting LLC., He consults for several organizations as well as instructs for the National Staff and Command College and the National Sheriff’s Association.
Sheriff Laney has over 2,000 hours of law enforcement training in his career. Sheriff Laney is a graduate of Class 137 of the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) and graduated from the FBI National Academy (FBINA) Class 255 in 2014. He has taught courses for Rasmussen College and the University of Mary.
Sheriff Laney has served on the Board of Directors for the Dakota Territory Sheriff’s Association and has served on the Board of Directors of the North Dakota Sheriff’s and Deputies Association. He also served on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) and the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Cass Clay. Sheriff Laney served on the Board of Directors for the National Sheriff’s Association for 6 years and still serves on three national committees, the Drug Enforcement Committee, the Awards Committee and the Homeland Security Committee for the National Sheriff’s Association. Sheriff Laney hosted a weekly radio show called Law Talk with Sheriff Laney on KFGO Radio from 2010-2012. Sheriff Laney was named the E911 Institutes “Government Leader of the Year” for 2011 and was the National Sheriff’s Association’s 2012 Ferris E. Lucas “National Sheriff of the Year.” On August 13, 2015 during the North Dakota Peace Officers Association Annual Conference, Sheriff Laney was presented the Lone Eagle Award in recognition of his, “Outstanding and Dedicated Law Enforcement in the State of North Dakota.” He was also presented the National Sheriff’s Associations 2017 “President’s Award” for his leadership and service during the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests.
Mary Phillippi is the retired Director of the Red River Regional Dispatch Center (RRRDC) located in the heart of the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. This consolidated Center has been recognized as the first of its kind as it serves Public Safety agencies in two separate states. The Center, which began in 2002, employs fifty full-time employees and serves fifty-seven Public Safety agencies in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Ms. Phillippi has nearly 36 years of Public Safety Communications experience. She started her career in Moorhead/Clay County, MN in 1988 as a Communications Operator. In 2002, when the Fargo/Cass, ND and Moorhead/Clay, MN dispatch centers consolidated she was promoted to Shift Supervisor. She was promoted to Assistant Director in 2010. Ms. Phillippi served as Director from April 2015-January 1st, 2024.
Ms. Phillippi is a member of the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Associations (NENA). She received the ND Chapter of APCO Supervisor/Manager of the year in 2004 for her exceptional leadership and professionalism in contributing to public safety in North Dakota. She received the designation of Emergency Number Professional (ENP) from the National Emergency Number Association. Ms. Phillippi holds a Bachelor of University Studies with a Management Concentration from the University of Mary, Fargo. Ms. Phillippi is the co-owner/CFO of PDL Connect Consulting, L.L.C.
Employee Errors: Discipline or Don’t Discipline?
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | STATE ROOM
Deputies and other sheriff department employees are human. They make errors. Some are serious and have egregious outcomes. Some have lesser effects. And some – “near misses” – by stroke of good luck caused no appreciable problem…but COULD cause a serious problem the next time. We run agencies whose core business is enforcing the law. Accountability is key: People who make errors (break the law) are punished. The punishment is closely linked to the outcome (the harm caused by their error). A citizen who discharges a handgun accidentally putting a hole in their neighbor’s garage gets a different sentence than the citizen whose identical accidental discharge kills a child. Should we apply the same model when an employee makes an error? In this presentation, the speaker will argue that the answer is “no.” While accountability is not be ignored, it’s not the primary goal of dealing with employee errors. How we deal with employee errors, when to discipline, and when to take other actions requires a different model. This presentation will present a more rational model for dealing with employee errors that emerges from the health care field.
PRESENTERS: Dr. Marc Stern, MD, MPH, NSA Medical Advisor, NSA
Dr. Stern is NSA’s Medical Advisor. He is an internist with 20 years’ experience as a correctional physician in a variety of settings including as a jail medical director, a regional medical director for a state DOC, a regional medical director for a for-profit provider of health services to a state DOC, and as assistant secretary/medical director for a state DOC. He has provided consultation and assistance on correctional health care to a variety of organizations and agencies including DHS, USDOJ, Bureau of Justice Statistics, California Attorney General, and Federal courts and currently serves as medical advisor to the American Jail Association and the Washington State Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Association. He is principal author of a week-long Executive Manager in Correctional Health Care course developed in conjunction with the National Institute of Corrections/Federal BOP. Dr. Stern also conducts research and teaches at the University of Washington School of Public Health.
Law Enforcement Suicide: Concept, Prevention, and a Case
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | RAYBURN ROOM
Evidence indicates that law enforcement personnel are 54% more likely to die by suicide than the general working population. Furthermore, access to lethal weapons provides an immediate means of acting upon suicidal behaviors. This presentation will focus on the evidence available on law enforcement suicide, strategies for prevention, and a discussion of an actual case by the surviving spouse.
PRESENTERS: John Violanti, Research Professor (NYSP Retired), University at Buffalo, Serena Liebengood, MD, MHSA, John Hopkins Medicine
John M. Violanti, PhD (NY State Police, Retired) is an internationally recognized expert on law enforcement suicide. He is presently a full research professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, N.Y. He is a police veteran, serving with the New York State Police for 23 years as a trooper, the State Police bureau of criminal investigation, and later as a coordinator for State Police psychological assistance program (EAP). Dr. Violanti has written and edited twenty books and 150 peer-reviewed articles on police stress and trauma, concentrating on associations with law enforcement suicide. He has presented nationally and internationally on law enforcement suicide to numerous police departments and organizations and continues to conduct several research projects on suicide.
Innovative Approaches to Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Jail: Doula Programs and Custody Staff Training
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 11:00AM TO 12:00PM | COMMERCE ROOM
Thousands of pregnant individuals pass through our nation’s jails each year. They have unique medical, psychosocial, and custody needs that jails must equipped to address, whether jails see one or one hundred such individuals. In this interactive seminar, we will present two innovative initiatives that can help jails strengthen their operations in both safety and programming for pregnant and postpartum women. First, we will highlight the benefits of having a doula program—birth support professionals who can provide services in jail and the hospital during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, including breastfeeding support. A sheriff and a doula who started such a program in jail will describe how to set up a doula program, what it looks like, and the benefits for pregnant women and custody staff alike. The second innovation we will discuss is implementing training for custody officers. As the first point of contact, they must be able to appropriately recognize when a pregnant woman might be in labor or is having another pregnancy emergency. Having basic skills to triage when a pregnant or postpartum woman is having an emergency and needs medical attention is crucial to ensuring the best outcomes for moms and babies, avoiding having a birth in your jail, and minimizing chances of litigation. This seminar will present simple tools you can take back to your jail to be able to empower your staff to recognize pregnancy emergencies. Finally, we will discuss the under-recognized needs of postpartum women in custody and why it is important to identify them at intake.
PRESENTERS: Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Sheriff Jose Quiroz, Arlington County Sheriffs Office, Virginia, and Kenda Sutton-El, Executive Director, Birth in Color
Carolyn Sufrin is an Ob/Gyn, researcher, and certified correctional health professional at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Since working as an ob/gyn in jail, she has dedicated her career to advancing best practices for the health and well being of pregnant and postpartum women in custody.
Sheriff Quiroz has been the Sheriff of Arlington County since 2023. He has instituted a number of innovative initiatives in women’s health at his jail, including working with his staff and community partners to establish a doula program.
Ms. Sutton-El is the Executive Director of Birth in Color. As a certified doula, she has supported hundreds of pregnant women. She leads and was instrumental in establishing the doula program at the Arlington County Jail.
Utilizing Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Law Enforcement
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 11:00AM TO 12:00PM | STATE ROOM
In partnership with the Johns Hopkins National ERPO Resource Center, this seminar equips sheriffs in states with ERPO laws with practical tools, strategies, and customizable resources to support effective implementation. Participants will learn best practices and receive guidance tailored to the unique role of sheriffs in the ERPO process.
PRESENTERS: Spencer Cantrell, Assistant Scientist for Center for Gun Violence Solutions and Co-Lead at National ERPO Resource Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Lisa Geller, Senior Advisor for Implementation at Center for Gun Violence Solutions and Co-lead at National ERPO Resource Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Speaker information to come…
Future Shock: 10 Disruptive Trends Law Enforcement Leaders Must Plan For Today
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 11:00AM TO 12:00PM | RAYBURN ROOM
Public safety leaders are facing a new era of disruption. From generative AI to autonomous vehicles, and from cybercrime surges to global influence campaigns, law enforcement is being reshaped in real time. This session will explore ten critical trends that are transforming the future of policing, technologically, socially, legally, and operationally. Through this lens, Marvin Ben Haiman, Executive Director of UVA’s Center for Public Safety and Justice will facilitate an interactive, forward-looking session that bridges awareness of these trends with strategic planning tools that law enforcement executives can use to future-proof their agencies.
Participants will engage in scenario-based discussion and guided strategy mapping designed to translate these complex challenges into concrete organizational priorities. The session will also present innovative approaches to workforce development, cross-sector integration, and operational design that align with each of the ten trends.
PRESENTERS: Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice, Oscar Odom, 1st Deputy Commissioner (Ret.), New York City Sheriff’s Office Associate Professor, UVA, University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice, and Joshua A. Ederheimer, Assistant Professor of Practice, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Center for Public Safety and Justice
Mr. Marvin Haiman is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Research Scholar with Rutger’s University. Haiman served as the Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. between 2021 and 2024. In this capacity, Haiman oversaw daily operations of the Executive Office of the Chief of Police and was responsible for broad agency management and implementing strategic agency objectives.
Haiman was responsible for several organizational units including the Office of Communications, Office of General Counsel, Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Bureau. He served as the Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau between 2017 – 2021, leading the Recruiting Division, Metropolitan Police Academy Division, Human Resource Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division, Testing and Assessment Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Office of Communications and the Strategic Engagement Office (Volunteer Services).
Prior to being named Executive Director, Haiman served in a variety of capacities between 2015-2017, including developing the agency’s Office of Volunteer Coordination, serving as Chief of Staff for the Technical Services Division tasked with a broad range of IT operations, and Chief of Staff for the Strategic Services Bureau supporting and leading the administration of police recruitment, training, policy and volunteer service matters for the Department.
Prior to returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Haiman served as Director for the Homeland Security Advisory Council for the United States Department of Homeland Security, where he established several key task forces for the Secretary (e.g., Foreign Fighters, Integrity & Use of Force). Prior to his Federal service, Haiman led the Recruiting Division for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., among various other positions. Haiman was responsible for restructuring the sworn hiring process, decreasing the amount of time it took to process candidates while increasing the quality of those officers hired.
Haiman graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in management through the Police Executive Leadership Program. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received designation as a Certified Public Management Program through George Washington University, as well as certification in Strategic Project Management. Haiman is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program. He received recognition by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 as a 40 under 40 recipient and the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award by the Police Executive Research Forum. Haiman graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy and continues his police service as a reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. Haiman resides with his family in Washington, D.C.
Joshua A. Ederheimer is a seasoned executive with nearly four decades of service in government and public safety. His diverse background spans the local, federal, non-profit, and academic sectors, with expertise in operations, leadership, education, technology and executive management.
Mr. Ederheimer retired from federal service in April 2025. Shortly thereafter, he joined the faculty of the University of Virginia as Assistant Professor of Practice and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at the UVA Center for Public Safety and Justice.
From 2024-2025 he served as the acting Chief Learning Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Learning, Education, and Development Strategy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), overseeing training policy and programs for 260,000 employees worldwide. He chaired the DHS Chief Learning Officer’s Council and represented the agency on the federal-wide council for professional development.
From 2017 to 2024, he was Deputy Director of the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the DHS law enforcement agency responsible for protecting federal facilities and more than 1.4 million personnel and visitors nationwide.
His previous federal roles include Senior Law Enforcement Advisor at the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Tribal Justice at Main Justice (2016–2017) where he served as DOJ’s Liaison to tribal law enforcement in the United States. From 2014-2015 he was the Senior Law Enforcement Advisor at the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he launched FirstNet’s law enforcement portfolio to support national public safety communications.
From 2010 to 2013, he served as Principal Deputy Director of the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), In 2013 he was appointed by Attorney General Eric Holder as acting Director and served in that role for a year. The DOJ COPS Office is the federal agency in the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for supporting all U.S. law enforcement agencies with an active portfolio of nearly $3 Billion in federal grants.
Before federal service, Mr. Ederheimer spent 23 years with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief. He led numerous innovative initiatives, several of which became national models.
He also directed the Center on Force and Accountability at the Police Executive Research Forum, where he advised U.S. and international agencies on executive development, use of force and accountability.
Mr. Ederheimer has taught law enforcement courses for over a decade as an Adjunct Professor at American University, and is widely published on policing topics. He is a frequent speaker on law enforcement practices, trends and innovation.
He has served on numerous boards, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the National Law Enforcement Museum and the International Law Enforcement Forum. He currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Global Consortium of Law Enforcement Training Executives at Rutgers University and is an active member of several professional organizations.
Mr. Ederheimer holds a B.A. in Justice from American University and an M.S. in Management and Leadership from Johns Hopkins University.
Mexican Cartels & The Battle For Control Of Our Borders
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | COMMERCE ROOM
This seminar takes an in-depth and graphic look at the ruthless nature of Transcontinental Criminal Organizations (TCOs), in particular the Mexican Drug Cartels, and the impact of their criminality on the southern and northern borders and across the United States. It delves into the complexity of the TCOs and their role in the illicit drug trade ravaging America. It takes an alarming look at the victimization immersed in their business of human trafficking and indentured servitude. See and hear how the sheer violence of TCOs reaches into every state in America as they compete against each other for smuggling routes both on the southern and northern border, and better understand how their connection with China and Southeast Asia is expanding their effort to poison Americans with illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. The presentation includes first-hand accounts showing the unparalleled violence and victimization TCOs use in their ongoing turf wars and battle for dominance. Understanding the barbarity and brutality of these organizations and violent gangs like Tren de Aragua is fundamental for law enforcement officers nationwide as we continue to battle their growing reach into our country. To defeat the enemy, we must first understand the enemy. That is the purpose of this seminar. It provides an unfiltered and extensive look at the complicated and callous nature of TCOs, Mexican Drug Cartels, and Tren de Aragua and their ongoing efforts to intrude into every community in America.
PRESENTERS: Sheriff Kieran Donahue, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Donahue is serving his fourth consecutive term as Sheriff of Canyon County, Idaho.
He was the 84th President of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA), and is currently serving as the association’s Immediate Past President. He is the first Idaho Sheriff to ever serve as the President of the NSA. Sheriff Donahue serves on the NSA’s Border Security Committee, Government Affairs Committee, and Domestic Violence and Crime Victim Services Committee.
Sheriff Donahue has served for the past 10 years on the Executive Board for the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), funded by the Department of Justice’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
Sheriff Donahue is the Chairman and co-founder, with his wife, Jeanie, of the K. Donahue Foundation (dba Man Up Crusade), a National and International non-profit public awareness campaign on the issue of domestic violence.
Critical Connections: How 911 Behavioral Health Call Identification Can Shape Crisis Response.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | STATE ROOM
IDEA: Why the identification of behavioral health calls by 911 call takers is crucial to law enforcement safety, jail population management, and better outcomes for individuals in crisis.
PROBLEM: People in crisis often call 911, and too many 911 centers lack the tools or training to recognize and appropriately handle behavioral health calls. A study published in June by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) found that 23% of call takers feel inadequately prepared to handle mental health or suicide calls. While 988 was intended to ensure people in crisis could access care and to divert behavioral health calls away from 911, it isn’t there yet. Meanwhile, 911 call takers remain overlooked when thinking about how to connect people with the best and most appropriate crisis responses.
The 911 system is often ignored as a crucial triage point for behavioral health crises. If call takers are trained to recognize mental health needs, use clear decision-making tools, and document calls accurately, then callers can be transferred to the most appropriate response – whether that be on-scene responders or 988.
Sheriffs, who often oversee dispatch operations and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), are uniquely positioned to drive improvements in how behavioral health calls are handled. This session will share research and real-world examples from law enforcement, 911 systems, and behavioral health partners—highlighting actionable strategies that can enhance dispatcher support, improve service access for callers in crisis, and allow officers to focus on higher-priority, crime-related incidents. The goal is for sheriffs and dispatch directors to leave with clear steps they can take to strengthen public safety and operational efficiency.
PRESENTERS: Hillary Gore, Principal Associate- Mental Health & Justice Partnerships, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Hillary Gore is a principal associate with Pew’s mental health and justice partnerships project. In this role, she provides technical assistance and policy analysis to states and localities seeking to address challenges across the behavioral health continuum. Before joining Pew, Gore worked at the intersection of mental health and justice in state and county government, probation, and treatment courts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a master’s in forensic psychology from Marymount University.
Media and Crisis Leadership in a Post-Trust Era
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | RAYBURN ROOM
Law enforcement agencies are operating in a fragmented media environment where public trust can be lost in minutes, and rarely rebuilt with words alone. This session offers a hard look at what’s changing in the way agencies communicate during high-pressure events, with an emphasis on how sheriffs and command staff must adapt their messaging strategies to stay ahead of the next crisis.
Part of the Future of Law Enforcement track, this presentation covers new rules of engagement with media, the evolving expectations of digital transparency, and how public trust is now shaped more by perception than policy. Participants will walk away with practical tools to manage significant events in real time, speak with authority without sounding defensive, and avoid the common missteps that often escalate already volatile situations.
Topics include:
• The anatomy of a modern media crisis
• Managing the first hour of narrative control
• Briefing strategies that de-escalate, inform, and reinforce leadership
• What to say (and what not to say) when facts are still developing
• Lessons from recent national and local incidents
• How to prepare your PIO, or serve as your own effectively when resources are thin
PRESENTERS: Robert Tufano, Media and Crisis Comms Strategist, Tufano Media
Rob Tufano is an international law enforcement public relations expert. He has managed communications during some of the country’s most high-profile law enforcement crises.
With a deep understanding of the intricacies surrounding sensitive incidents, Rob has been sought after by law enforcement agencies on three continents for his guidance in navigating complex public relations. His strategic insights in shaping public perception have contributed to restoring trust and ensuring clear, accurate, and empathetic communication between law enforcement and the public.
Rob’s international influence continues to reshape the landscape of law enforcement public relations, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and open dialogue across the world.
Rob’s career began on the streets of New York City, where he served as a dedicated officer with the NYPD, navigating the complex urban landscape with courage and integrity. His firsthand experience in law enforcement forged a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances faced by police officers, allowing him to connect on a profound level with the issues at hand.
Transitioning seamlessly from the field of law enforcement, Rob’s presence and articulate communication skills led him to a new avenue of success as an award-winning television news anchor. With an innate ability to capture and convey stories that resonated with audiences, he became a trusted source of information and a familiar face in households across the nation.
After a successful career in television news, Rob redirected his energy towards supporting law enforcement agencies in a different capacity. His tenure as the communications director for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was marked by his innovative approach to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Rob recognized the pivotal role of transparent and empathetic communication in building trust and fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the public.
Today, Rob Tufano is the driving force behind Tufano Media, a trailblazing public relations agency that specializes in serving law enforcement agencies worldwide. Rob’s passion for empowering police agencies has yielded a more connected and informed global law enforcement community.
Reversing the Demonization of Law Enforcement in America
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | COMMERCE ROOM
In the recent past, we have seen a shift in public perception of law enforcement from pillars of the community to public scapegoats. Reversing this shift requires fully understanding the forces behind the public narrative that seeks to scapegoat law enforcement. It also requires thinking in new ways about proactively projecting a positive counterimage. This seminar will equip participants with new ways and means to achieve the end goal of countering the demonization of law enforcement officers and agencies in their communities.
PRESENTERS: Matthew Daniels, Distinguished University Professor of Law, Political Science and Human Rights, Anderson University, and Clarence “Chuck” Williamson, Dean, School of Public Service & Administration, Anderson University
Matthew Daniels was raised by a single mother in the section of Spanish Harlem with the highest rate of violent crime in New York City. He received a full scholarship to Dartmouth College where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1985. He later received a Public Interest Law Scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he obtained both his law degree and a Master’s in Public Administration. He was subsequently awarded a doctoral fellowship in American Politics at Brandeis University.
Dr. Chuck Williamson is a native of Greensboro North Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from St. Augustine’s College in 1988. He joined the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office in 1988 and served the citizens of Guilford County until his retirement as Major in June 2018.
Dr. Williamson earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University in 2001. In 2010, Dr. Williamson earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Williamson also earned a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Education from East Carolina University. Dr. Williamson has over 25 years of higher education experience serving as an instructor, dissertation mentor, University Research Reviewer and curriculum developer. Dr. Williamson currently serves as Dean of the School of Public Service and Administration at Anderson University in Anderson, SC. His research aenda focuses on leader and leadership development, specifically focused on the informal to formal development of leaders and the production and maintenance of high[1]performance work teams.
Dr. Williamson gave his life to Christ in March 1991 and has been a committed member of Evangel Fellowship COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Otis Lockett Sr. and Superintendent Otis Lockett, Jr. for over 34 years. Dr. Williamson serves as Men’s Encounter Guide and as ordained Elder at Evangel Fellowship. Dr. Williamson has been married to the love of his life, District Missionary Beth Williamson, for 33 years. They have 3 sons: Cory (31), Chase (27), and Camden (26).
Operation Dragon Eye: A Multidisciplinary Model for Finding Your Community’s Endangered Missing Children and Providing Them Critical Resources.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | STATE ROOM
In 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Middle District of Florida (M/FL) launched Operation Dragon Eye, the largest and most successful missing child operation in USMS history. The operation united more than 20 federal, state, and local agencies, along with social service providers, medical professionals, and non-governmental organizations, to find critically missing and endangered youth.
Months of planning, data analysis, intelligence sharing and logistical preparation led to the creation of a “Recovery Hub,” providing immediate on-site medical and mental health services to children after recovery. The combined efforts of the multi-disciplinary team resulted in 60 children being found along with eight arrests over the course of two weeks. The presentation will provide direct insight in the developmental planning, execution and after action review to highlight how this model may be adapted across the country. Operation Dragon Eye stands as a model of multi-agency collaboration, demonstrating the power of partnerships in protecting our nation’s most vulnerable. During this session, key players will provide direct insight and feedback on the overall operational initiative.
PRESENTERS: Darby Stacy, Chief Inspector, United States Marshals Service, Mario Price, Deputy US Marshal, United States Marshals Service, and Dr. Katherine Gomez, Director of Human Trafficking Intervention
Speaker information to come…
Lessons Learned From Vehicle Pursuit Analysis
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | RAYBURN ROOM
This presentation explores the evolving landscape of vehicle pursuit practices, drawing on comprehensive data from more than 5,500 pursuits reported between 2022 and 2024. It highlights critical insights into pursuit frequency, causes, outcomes, and policy implications, emphasizing the importance of necessity and proportionality in decision-making.
Key topics include:
– The scope and frequency of pursuits, with a focus on the role of less-experienced officers.
– Variability in pursuit policies across agencies and the impact of policy enforcement.
– Analysis of pursuit outcomes, including termination methods and public safety risks.
– The disproportionate number of pursuits initiated for minor traffic violations versus violent felonies.
– Fatalities and injuries, especially among uninvolved civilians, underscore the need for reform.
– The role of supervision, training, and post-pursuit reviews in mitigating risk and enhancing accountability.
– Legal and liability considerations tied to pursuit practices.
The session concludes with five actionable recommendations for agencies: adopting restrictive initiation policies, mandating supervisory oversight, implementing scenario-based training, conducting structured reviews, and developing early warning systems for frequent pursuit involvement.
Attendees will gain a data-driven understanding of pursuit dynamics and practical strategies to enhance safety, reduce liability, and uphold community trust.
PRESENTERS: Louis Dekmar, Chief (Retired), PAST IACP President, Past CALEA Commissioner, Public Agency Training Council, Sheriff Kevin Joyce, CALEA Commissioner, Cumberland (NH) County Sheriffs Office
Speaker information to come…