MONDAY, February 3, 2025 Seminar Sessions 

An evaluation of political violence and disruptions to our 2024 elections.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | STATE ROOM

2024 saw a disturbing rise in political violence across our country, including 2 assassination attempts against a presidential candidate, a thwarted plot to cause a mass casualty event at a polling location, targeting of ballot drop boxes by individuals sympathetic to Hamas and numerous other attempts at disruption before, during and after our elections.

This session will provide attendees knowledge of what those evolving threats look like and provide them strategies to prevent, mitigate and respond to threats in their communities.

PRESENTERS: Sheriff (ret.) Justin Smith, Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, and Tina Barton, Retired Elections Official, The Elections Group

Justin Smith is a retired 3 term sheriff from Colorado with 35 years of public safety experience and is a past member of the executive board of the NSA. He is president of Cameron Peak Solutions consulting and is a founding member of the Committee on Safe and Secure Elections.

Tina is a Senior Election Expert at The Elections Group. She recently capped a 32-year career as a government employee, serving in various roles at the local and federal levels. The last 16 years of her career have been dedicated to election administration and election safety while appointed as the City Clerk of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. She is a graduate of Liberty University and holds a Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Building Trust and Understanding in Justice Design: Community Engagement for Public Support

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | COMMERCE ROOM

This impactful seminar offers an inside look at how an industry-leading justice design firm builds trust and fosters public support for essential justice projects. Attendees will discover strategies to earn community buy-in and overcome common challenges in public perception. By spotlighting the importance of transparency, communication, and collaborative understanding, this session equips design professionals and civic leaders with the tools needed to align project goals with community interests.

Key takeaways will include:

• Transparency for Community Trust: Attendees will learn methods to share project details transparently, giving citizens a clear view of how public funds are allocated and used.
• Breaking Down Stigma: Discover techniques to reshape the narrative around justice facilities, turning public perception from apprehension to understanding and support.
• Consensus and Long-Term Engagement: We’ll discuss best practices for achieving community consensus, preparing firms for future engagement and training staff to confidently navigate public-facing interactions.
• Planning for Future Projects: Attendees will leave with actionable insights on building a lasting community rapport that can help streamline future project approvals.

This seminar offers an ideal opportunity for tradeshow audiences to learn from a leader in justice design about leveraging public engagement to support the long-term success of justice facilities. With a focus on practical strategies and real-world examples, this session promises to be a valuable addition to the tradeshow program, empowering attendees to make meaningful connections within the communities they serve.

PRESENTERS: Chris Sailors, Retired Sheriff/Project Executive of Justice, Elevatus Architecture, and Brett Gauger, Marketing Communications Specialist, Elevatus Architecture

Chris Sailors, a retired two-term Sheriff of Fulton County, Indiana, is a Project Executive of Justice for Elevatus, serving as a dedicated advocate for county and sheriff interests. As Fulton County Sheriff, Chris supervised the design and construction of a $23.1 million, 50,000 square foot building project that included a 230-bed jail, a Sheriff’s Office, a 911 dispatch center, and a Coroner’s Office and morgue that was completed in September 2021. With his extensive expertise and unique perspective, which also includes time as a County Councilman and an agricultural and commercial banker, Chris brings a nuanced perspective to the Elevatus team from the user’s standpoint, emphasizing the necessity for new jails and offering historical insights into the advantages and challenges associated with jail construction.

Brett Gauger, a marketer and community champion, is a Marketing Communications Specialist for Elevatus, performing duties as a skilled communicator who produces content for various channels including social media, website, and other external/internal communication lines. Through the growth in Elevatus’ community outreach support, Brett has helped provide an outsiders’ approach in building support throughout projects while maintaining a close connection between an owner and their stakeholders, that being their residents. From community engagement activities such as ribbon cuttings or public design charettes, to ultimately consulting clients on communications strategies, Brett provides a detail that every local, state and federal agency could leverage — support.

Best Practices for Patrol Staffing Analysis

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 8:30AM TO 9:30AM | JUSTICE ROOM

Patrol operations represent the cornerstone of law enforcement, serving as both the public face of an agency and one of its most significant operational investments. As the most visible and scrutinized division, patrol sets the standard for customer service delivery and community trust. However, patrol staffing decisions are often based on outdated methodologies or institutional habits rather than solid data.
In an era where agencies face unprecedented staffing challenges through attrition and hiring difficulties, the need for sophisticated, data-driven deployment strategies has never been more critical. This workshop addresses this crucial need by introducing participants to proven analytical frameworks for patrol staffing analysis. Attendees will learn how to identify and utilize the most relevant metrics for their agency, enabling them to create defensible staffing models that optimize resource allocation while maintaining service levels.

The session focuses on transforming raw data into actionable insights, providing agencies with the tools they need to make informed, evidence-based decisions about patrol deployment.

PRESENTERS: Lori Frank, Director of Research and Analysis, Corona Solutions

After a distinguished 26-year career in law enforcement as a crime analyst, Lori brings extensive field experience and analytical expertise to her role as Director of Research & Analysis at Corona Solutions. Throughout her law enforcement career, she developed and implemented data-driven strategies that helped optimize patrol operations and resource allocation across multiple jurisdictions.

In her current position at Corona Solutions, Lori examines, audits, and analyzes complex datasets to measure patrol performance and provide comprehensive workload analysis. Her work enables law enforcement agencies to make informed decisions about staffing, resource deployment, and operational strategies. By combining statistical analysis with practical law enforcement experience, she helps agencies optimize their operations while maintaining high standards of public safety and service.

She regularly consults with police departments of all sizes to develop customized solutions that address their specific operational challenges. Her data-driven recommendations have helped agencies improve their efficiency and enhance community service levels while effectively managing limited resources.

Throughout her career, she has remained committed to advancing the field of law enforcement analytics through evidence-based practices and innovative methodologies.

Double-Edged Sword: The Threat and Potential of Generative AI

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 10:30AM TO 11:30AM | STATE ROOM

The use of GenerativeAI has transformed the nature of transnational criminal activity. The DHS Cyber Crimes Center, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Deputy Assistant Director Mike Prado, is the federal government’s preeminent cyber crime center of excellence and is combating the growing threat GenAI use by criminal actors across a broad spectrum of crime, including financial crime/fraud, ransomware, network intrusion, business email compromise, darkweb drug trafficking, sextortion, online child sexual exploitation and abuse and other cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes. However, at the same time, HSI and the DHS Cyber Crimes Center are utilizing GenAI to advance investigations, increase efficiencies and solve numerous crimes in cyberspace. Deputy AD Prado will walk attendees through this evolving landscape and facilitate dialogue and discussion on this critically important topic.

PRESENTERS: Mike Prado, Deputy Assistant Director, DHS Cyber Crimes Center

Mike Prado is a member of the Senior Executive Service and serves as the Deputy Assistant Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), where he leads its Cyber Crimes Center (C3). At C3, he leads a federal law enforcement workforce utilizing cutting-edge technology and 21st century investigative techniques to combat cyber and cyber-facilitated transnational criminal activity. C3 provides investigative, technical, and resource support to all HSI domestic and international field offices, in support of a broad spectrum of cyber investigations, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse, network intrusion, and illicit activity on the dark web, to include narcotics and weapons trafficking. C3 also oversees HSI’s Computer Forensic program and maintains programmatic oversight and coordination of all cyber training, outreach, and specialized solutions to counter illicit use of technologies.

Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Prado was the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI Charlotte and the Carolinas. He has also served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Deputy Director and Director of ICE, respectively and has also served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the HSI Washington DC field office and Division Chief of C3. Mr. Prado has held additional positions throughout his career, including a fellowship with the International Association of Chiefs of Police as HSI’s liaison to state and local law enforcement, congressional liaison Chief of Domestic Operations, Resident Agent in Charge of the California Central Valley, and Group Supervisor of HSI Bakersfield and HSI Fresno.

Mr. Prado is a graduate of the DHS Senior Executive Service Career Development Program, where he completed a developmental assignment as the Deputy Director of the DHS Joint Requirements Council. Mr. Prado has 25 years of law enforcement experience, beginning his career as an investigator with the Tulare County (CA) District Attorney’s Office in 1999, and the U.S. Customs Service Office of Investigations in 2002. Mr. Prado holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Sonoma State University.

“Taking the Serial out of Crime” Using Rapid DNA and Local databasing

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 10:30AM TO 11:30AM | COMMERCE ROOM

Using Rapid DNA and DNA Local Databases is becoming a new tool for Law Enforcement today. This seminar will show how to set up these programs not only by showing the need to your community and elected officials but also to your deputies. Using DNA at every crime scene is not only simple in 2024 but affordable. Local people commit local crime this allows you to have your own DNA database, and what used to take months now takes 90 minutes to get a criminal off the street. This prevents crime. We have also used it in a human identification and to Exonerate the innocent. Now as an elected sheriff since 2022 and in my prior department as a police3 chief we saw an incredible drop in crime by deploying this technology. We take consensual DNA from everyone arrested which is then uploaded into the database with DNA from every crime scene especially property crime. Then the science does the rest. This can all be done by your officers/deputies. Crime is stopped and the word serial is taken away.

PRESENTERS: Sheriff Frederick Harran, Bucks County Sheriff’s Department

Sheriff Harran, originally from New York, moved to Pennsylvania in 1982, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He earned his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from St. Joseph’s University. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Sheriff Harran had served in law enforcement with the Bensalem Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for 35 years and was the Director of Public Safety for the last 16 years there. As Director, he was responsible for the management and operation of the police department and for the coordination of the township’s Fire and Rescue departments. In 2021 he was elected as the Sheriff of Bucks County, PA

He currently serves on many law enforcement and community boards and organizations, including; Chairman of the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association Executive Board, Chairman of the Bucks County Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition, Chairman of the County Emergency Response Team Board, Executive Board of the Delaware Valley Crime Commission, IACP Forensic Science Committee, the Bucks County Domestic Violence Coalition and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission.. He served on the Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Committee. He has recently been appointed by the FBI to the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Biology DNA Interpretation and Reporting Committee Rapid DNA Task Group. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Executive Board representing Southeastern Pennsylvania and to State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP) and represented Pennsylvania and served as Chairman of the North Atlantic Region of the United States. 

Sheriff Harran is a published author of multiple articles including Property Crime and DNA Databases which have been featured in National Police Magazines. He was instrumental in implementing the first countywide local DNA database in the United States. He has also written and received grants in excess of 21 million dollars.

Sheriff Harran lectures nationally on a variety of issues including DNA, current drug trends and initiatives, school based and community prevention programs, grant writing and funding sources. He has received over 40 awards and citations for his work in both law enforcement and in the community. He has received the Bucks County Law Enforcement Educator Award and the Bensalem Township Officer of the Year Award. In 2015 and 2021, he was honored with the IACP August Vollmer Excellence in Forensic Science Award.

Sheriff Harran is also a member of many community organizations and resides in Bristol Boro.

Walking with the Wounded

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 10:30AM TO 11:30AM | JUSTICE ROOM

Walking with the Wounded is an educational workshop created to raise awareness to the impact of leadership decisions, agency policy and existing laws which affect the well-being of law enforcement officers who have been severely injured while actively employed. Workshop presenters are veteran law enforcement officers, supervisors, trainers and survivors of critical injury or illness.

PRESENTERS: Randy Sutton, Founder & Chairman of the Board, The Wounded Blue, and Robert Bemis, Director of Training, The Wounded Blue

Randy was one of the most featured officers on the popular television series “COPS”, having appeared in three separate seasons which led to his being cast in a role as a police officer in the Academy Award winning film, “CASINO” with Robert Deniro and Sharon Stone. Other film and TV roles followed, including “FOOLS RUSH IN”, “MISS CONGENIALITY II”, “THE ROAD HOME”, “CLOVERS MOVIE”, “AMERICA’S MOST WANTED” and a co-starring role opposite James Caan in the pilot episode of “LAS VEGAS”.

Randy was born and raised in Princeton New Jersey, where after graduating High School, he joined the Princeton Borough Police department becoming one of the youngest Police Officers in the state. He served the town for ten years before joining the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department where he served for almost 24 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. He is recognized as one of the most highly decorated officers in the LVMPD history, receiving awards for valor, community service, exemplary service, and lifesaving. He has trained thousands of American law enforcement officers in the subject of “Policing with Honor,” and has received the Points of Light award from the President of the United States. Sutton is the author of “True Blue: Police Stories by Those Who Have Lived Them,” “A Cop’s Life,” “True Blue: To Serve and Protect,” and “The Power of Legacy: Personal Heroes of America’s Most Inspiring People.”

Sergeant Robert “Bob” Bemis retired in 2017 as a Supervisor in the Operational Training Division at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, Sgt. Bemis spent more than a decade as a trainer in many police disciplines, specializing in officer safety, self-defense and civil disorder tactics. He worked in previous assignments as both a Patrol Trooper and Patrol Supervisor, at several stations in western Pennsylvania. Sgt. Bemis was also assigned to the Forensic Services Unit, investigating major crime and accident scenes with emphasis on evidence collection and fingerprint analysis.

In March 2015, Sgt. Bemis was severely injured while assisting a disabled motorist along an interstate highway. Following months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Sgt. Bemis returned to his duties at the Academy, and continued teaching for more than a year before retirement. He shares the experience of his final 22 months in law enforcement as author of the book – Forged in Scars & Stripes: A Trooper’s Victory Over Critical Injury.

Following retirement, Sgt. Bemis continues to provide training on a variety of law enforcement subjects, and travels to raise awareness to the hazards present to emergency responders along our highways. He currently serves as Director of Training and Peer Advocate for The Wounded Blue, the national support and assistance organization for injured & disabled officers.

He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving on active duty from 1986 to 1992. As a Military Policeman, he performed high-level security assignments, first as a member of the helicopter squadron responsible for transporting the President, also known as “Marine One”; and later, for the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. 

Pig Butchering & Cryptocurrency Scams

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 12:30PM TO 1:30PM | STATE ROOM

Departments nationwide are being inundated with reports of cryptocurrency facilitated crimes. This session will cover the fundamentals of investigating fake cryptocurrency exchanges and “pig butchering”. Attendees will understand the various ways these fraudulent services, such as DeFi “wallet drains,” from taking the initial report to furthering the investigation. This webinar covers best practices and blockchain analytic tools will be utilized in real world scenarios, as well as other OSINT investigative techniques for the various ways these criminals defraud their victims.

PRESENTERS: Keven Hendricks, Detective / Task Force Officer, New Brunswick Police Department / FBI

Keven Hendricks is a law enforcement veteran with almost two decades experience, previously serving as a task force officer for two separate federal agencies. He is a published author with the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin and American Police Beat and currently works as an instructor for various police training agencies, teaching a class for law enforcement on dark web and cybercrime investigations.

He is a Certified Cybercrime Examiner and Certified Cybercrime Investigator by the National White Collar Crime Center, a Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator through the Blockchain Intelligence Group, and a Certified Digital Asset Professional through the Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Alliance. He is the founder of the Ubivis Project – StopDarkwebDrugs.com and speaks at Conferences all over the world.

Law Enforcement Accreditation and its Benefits

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 12:30PM TO 1:30PM | COMMERCE ROOM

Less than 1% of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies are nationally accredited. While many states offer state accreditation, the importance of being nationally accredited cannot be overstated.

By achieving accreditation, law enforcement agencies can reduce risk and liability exposure, gain increased public confidence and earn credibility among peer agencies. A parent wouldn’t necessarily send their child to an unaccredited hospital for emergency treatment or an unaccredited college for education, so why wouldn’t they expect their law enforcement agency, in this case their Sheriff’s Office to be an accredited law enforcement agency?

While attending a training several years back, a national speaker on law enforcement lawsuits made the comment that when Ford Motor Company purchases parts for their vehicles, (which they receive from all over the United States and in some cases outside of the United States), there are standards that need to be followed so that when all of those parts come together, they fit precisely and work correctly. The speaker went on to compare that to the law enforcement profession, which in most cases does not meet national standards. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) provides best practices that meet national standards.

CALEA is a means whereby law enforcement agencies can voluntarily work toward national accreditation. Agencies can choose to meet the basic law enforcement accreditation which requires compliance with 183 nationally accepted standards or choose to meet 461 standards for Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation.

While there are 559 CALEA Accredited police departments nationwide and another 100 agencies in the process, there are only 98 CALEA accredited sheriff offices nationwide, with an additional 24 in the process. As a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors and a Commissioner for CALEA over the past 4 years, I believe that Sheriff’s Offices are missing an opportunity to remain relevant by not enrolling their agency and pursuing the CALEA voluntary accreditation program. In 2011, our agency enrolled in the program and was initially accredited in 2014. Sheriff’s should also consider getting their jail accredited through the American Correctional Association (ACA) as well as having their law enforcement department accredited through CALEA.

This presentation will explain the benefits of CALEA accreditation, and how being accredited often mitigates lawsuits, or in some cases avoids lawsuits. This presentation will answer the myths of both the cost of becoming accredited and the work necessary to accomplish this goal. Lastly, the presentation will explain how improved effectiveness and public confidence will benefit the Office of the Sheriff.

During the 2024 National Sheriffs’ Association winter conference, I attended an hour-long class about the benefits of ACA accreditation for our jails. While my agency was already accredited through ACA, I found the training to be informative about some of the nuances of ACA that I was not aware of. I anticipate this class will do the same about the possibilities of becoming law enforcement accredited.

We owe it to our law enforcement deputies, our professional staff and we owe it to the citizens we serve.

PRESENTERS: Sheriff Kevin Joyce, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, ME, Maya Mitchell, Communications and Organizational Development Manager, CALEA

Sheriff Kevin Joyce is a thirty-seven year veteran of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and is currently the 50th Sheriff of Cumberland County.

Sheriff Joyce began his career in Law Enforcement in September 1986 and rose through the ranks at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Joyce was elected as Sheriff of Cumberland County in November of 2010.

Sheriff Joyce was selected to attend the FBI National Academy Executive Leadership training in Quantico, Virginia during the summer of 2004 and graduated from the 218th session. Sheriff Joyce is a Past President of the New England Chapter of FBI National Academy Associates, which is comprised of FBI National Academy Alumni from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island.

Sheriff Joyce holds an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement through Southern Maine Technical College; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Administration through Husson College of Bangor/South Portland. Sheriff Joyce is also a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Program.

In 2019, Sheriff Joyce was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), representing the National Sheriffs’ Association. Sheriff Joyce is a past-President of the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Sheriff Joyce was the recipient of the Presidential Valor Award, presented by the Maine Sheriff’s Association in 1995 and has received many commendations and leadership awards during his career.

Maya Mitchell joined CALEA in March 2000 as a Program Assistant and assumed the position of Regional Program Manager in January 2007. In 2015 she became the Communications and Organizational Development Manager for the Commission. In this position, she is responsible for advertisements, exhibit opportunities, marketing, corporate messaging, conference management, CALEA staff training, and other methods of communication. Maya works closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Client Services to collaborate on special projects and to provide resources for the Regional Program Managers to improve CALEA services.

Before joining CALEA, she worked in the Communications field in Charlotte, NC after graduating from the University of Noth Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications.

Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Jail: What Custody Professionals Need to Know to Optimize Operations and Safe Patient Outcomes

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 12:30PM TO 1:30PM | JUSTICE 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. Doing so can help ensure smooth operations in your jail when you house pregnant individuals, be in compliance with state laws and national standards, and can contribute to healthy outcomes for moms and babies. This interactive seminar will use a case-based approach to discuss best practices for jails to manage pregnant individuals in custody on a range of topics, including opioid use disorder in pregnancy, labor signs and other urgent maternal warning signs, when to transport pregnant patients offsite, restraints, supporting breastfeeding and other postpartum issues in custody.

PRESENTERS: Carolyn Sufrin, National Programs Advisor, National Institute of Corrections

Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, CCHP, is a National Programs Advisor specializing in Women’s Health in Correctional Settings with the National Institute of Corrections. Dr. Sufrin is also a faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, certified correctional health professional, and researcher who has provided clinical care in jail, conducted research on pregnancy care and outcomes in custody, and written national guidelines on best practices for Ob/Gyn care for women in custody. Dr. Sufrin is passionate about helping correctional facilities to provide the best care and services possible to pregnant and postpartum women in custody.

AI and the Future of Protecting Children Online

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | STATE ROOM

“Deputy”, a peer-to-peer Internet safety education program from Safe Surfin’ Foundation (SSF) and Skyll, leverages artificial intelligence and influencer partnerships, to create a peer-to-peer safety network for young users. Future integration is planned for services like NCMEC’s CyberTipline. This app focuses on improving online safety for children through innovative technology. “Deputy” is designed to provide a safe digital environment where children can interact with AI-driven personas and access emergency guidance when needed.

This cutting-edge solution fits seamlessly into the Future of Law Enforcement track, as it represents the next generation of digital tools for public safety. This presentation provides valuable insight into how law enforcement can utilize emerging technologies to better protect children from internet crimes.

PRESENTERS: Sheriff Mike Brown (ret.), Founder, Chairman of the Board, Safe Surfin’ Foundation, and Graeme Page, CEO, Skyll

Sheriff Brown has served in the law enforcement arena for five decades and is a former Vice President, National White Collar Crime Center. He is a retired Senior Special Agent, Criminal Enforcement Division, United States Treasury Department. He served in the US Army, Military Police Corps, from 1967 to 1970; as a Tactical Officer, Special Operations Division, Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC; as a Staff Support Specialist with the Department of Defense; and before he was elected Sheriff on January 1, 1996, he served as a criminal justice consultant/instructor with the United States Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Sheriff Brown has directed, since 1997 to his retirement from the sheriff’s office in 2019, the Southern Virginia, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, for the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This Congressionally funded task force was dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and developing effective responses to Internet crimes against children He testified before Congress on two occasions on matters concerning Internet crimes against children (sexual exploitation of children and the problem of child pornography and sex trafficking on the Internet). He also founded the Safe Surfin’ Foundation ( www.safesurfin.org ) and the Cyber SWAT Program (Safety While Accessing Technology) ( www.teamcyberswat.org ).

Sheriff Brown co-authored the Cyber Lance Manual, Operational and Investigative Standards, Cyber Crimes Against Tribal Children & Trafficking Task Force. The noble aim of Cyber Lance is to establish and enhance a coordinated disruption of the criminal element engaged in human trafficking, particularly child sex slavery on tribal lands..

Sheriff Brown and his wife Dr. Janet Brown were featured speakers at the Global Sustainability Network (GSN) Conference on human slavery/human trafficking at the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, in Rome, in April 2019. The topic was Social Cognitive Theory and its Relevance to Youth Safety in the Cyber World. The conference was attended by more than 100 professionals from around the world, and directed by Monsignor Sanchez, Chancellor of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and Co-Founder of the GSN.

Sheriff Brown was a member of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, National Sheriffs’ Association; former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, National White Collar Crime Center; and former member of the Board of Advisors, Law Enforcement Innovation Center, University of Tennessee. He is a Life Member of The Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs Association, and the International Police Association (former Associate Secretary, Hong Kong).

The Sheriff is a graduate of The American University, Washington, DC, with degrees in the Administration of Justice and Police Administration.

Graeme Page, a 21-year-old entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, is the founder and CEO of Skyll, a company focused on making the digital world safer for children by aligning advanced AI technology with human safety. Skyll’s flagship app, Deputy – known as a “911 for internet crimes” – combines AI with the influence of familiar social media figures, creating a responsive safety network for young users and collaborating with law enforcement, including the Safe Surfin’ Foundation. Deputy not only intercepts online predators in real-time but also empowers children to make safer choices.

Graeme’s journey began at 11 with the launch of Fallen Angel, a social media marketing agency that ran campaigns for Disney, Warner Bros, and more. His focus shifted at 17 after a personal tragedy when his girlfriend took her own life following sextortion on Instagram, fueling his determination to protect children from similar dangers. Today, with increasing child sextortion cases, Graeme’s mission is more critical than ever. Beyond Skyll, he actively supports various causes like St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and The Aoki Foundation for Brain Health, reflecting his broader commitment to positive change

FBI SWATTING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | COMMERCE ROOM

Coming Soon

PRESENTERS: Coming Soon

Utilizing Medicaid Opportunities for Corrections: A Discussion of Youth Continuity of Care Requirements 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 1:45PM TO 2:45PM | JUSTICE ROOM

This presentation will cover the required Medicaid and CHIP changes that will affect ALL jails across the country regarding individuals in your care and custody who are under 21 years old, or under the age of 26 if they were previously in the foster care system. These changes are effective January 1, 2025.

The Challenges:

• What resources are available for states and agencies?
• If your state has received approval for the MIEP 1115 Demonstration, how does it impact the jail?  What should you be aware of?  What resources might be available to help with the implementation process?
• As the Sheriff, does your facility hold individuals that meet the definition of “Youth”?
• Do you have mechanisms in place to determine whether an individual in your care who meets the definition of “Youth” was ever in foster care?
• Who are the strategic partners in your state that you should work with to determine whether the individuals in your care and custody meet the requirements and eligibility for coverage?
• Are resources available to assist you, and what are your next steps?

We hope to provide continued awareness, education, and resources for you and your staff as these changes are implemented. Even if you are already in the process of implementation, we encourage you to attend the presentation.

PRESENTERS: Coming Soon

ODDS & Outlaws: An Update on Illegal & Unregulated Gambling

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | STATE ROOM

Illegal and unregulated gambling continues to be a major danger confronting everyday Americans, law enforcement, and the legal gaming industry in the United States. In this session, you’ll receive an update on the state-of-play against illegal and unregulated gambling, what actions have occurred over the last year, and what more can be done.

PRESENTERS: Tres York, Senior Director, Government Relations, American Gaming Association, and Jim Plousis, Chairman, New Jersey Casino Control Commission

Tres York is Senior Director, Government Relations at the American Gaming Association where he leads state advocacy and regulatory engagement.

Prior to arriving at the AGA, Tres served as legislative director for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization that represents all 50 state legislatures across the U.S. At NCSL, Tres led advocacy efforts on gaming, financial services and technology issues, both on Capitol Hill and with federal regulators.

He previously led the political affairs operation for the MIBOR Realtor Association, coordinating their fundraising and candidate endorsement efforts, worked as a legislative staffer for the Indiana House of Representatives, and for former U.S. Representative Luke Messer in both federal and political roles.

Tres received his bachelor’s in political science from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

Chairman Jim Plousis is a veteran public service and law enforcement professional well known for his leadership skills. He was sworn in as the eighth chairman of the Commission on December 26, 2017. He has reinvigorated the Commission’s vision as a “key partner and catalyst in promoting the general welfare, health, and prosperity of New Jersey,” and has continued his strong track record of identifying and implementing efficiencies.

Plousis has presided over a number of casino licensing hearings as chairman. Additionally, he has hosted delegations from other jurisdictions throughout the United States and internationally, including high level officials from Japan in 2023. Plousis often refers to the New Jersey gaming regulatory structure as the “gold standard” for the industry.

Plousis is committed to the state’s efforts to revitalize Atlantic City. He expanded the Commission’s participation in the community, helping to increase awareness of the many non-profit groups working to improve life in the city. As an ex-officio member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, he took initiative to promote cooperation in the regional tourism industry through outreach to the business community.

He works with veteran groups to develop opportunities that link unemployed veterans with job opportunities in the casino industry. He also assists the Department of Corrections, the State Parole Board, and the New Jersey Judiciary with their shared goal to increase employer awareness of the many advantages of employing rehabilitated, trained, and skilled workers who have successfully exited the criminal justice system.

His vast experience includes serving as the chairman for the State Parole Board, as United States Marshal for New Jersey, and as sheriff of Cape May County for six terms. He coordinated two of the largest Fugitive Safe Surrender Programs in the nation and was the U.S. Marshals Service Liaison for New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

As chairman of the State Parole Board, Plousis partnered with government, non-profit, and private agencies to connect ex-prisoners with vocational, mental health, and other key services. He also spearheaded efforts to address the needs of veterans in the criminal justice system.

Plousis serves on the Advisory Board of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University. He is an active volunteer for several organizations, including Hand to Hand for Haiti. He is a graduate of Slippery Rock University and Rutgers University’s Public Manager Program.

The Public Safety Threat posed by Illicit Vape Products

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | COMMERCE ROOM

While tobacco trafficking has been happening in the United States for many years, the current levels of contraband trafficking, especially vapor products, are at unprecedented levels and will impact the future of law enforcement for many years to come. Over recent years, there has been a marked increase in illicit tobacco trafficking across our borders, across the Southern, Northern and Maritime borders. Most notably, we’ve seen staggering amounts of illicit disposable vapor products coming in from China, which provide a threat to our youth and public safety. This seminar will provide education, awareness, and training related to illicit tobacco trafficking and the threats it poses to your communities. The training will provide an overview of recent public policies that have caused an increase in illicit tobacco trafficking, review data and evidence of the illicit marketplace, and discuss the impact on law enforcement. We will explore the ties of the illicit tobacco to gangs, cartels and organized crime and the public safety impact on your communities. The course will also provide actionable insights, best practices and real-world scenarios into strategies and tactics law enforcement can take in combating these illicit products. This training will be conducted by retired law enforcement with real-world tobacco trafficking enforcement experience at the state and federal level, including experience from the ATF and FBI. This training will include hands-on experience with illicit products, illicit product samples, as well as quick guides on identification and authentication.

PRESENTERS: Jennifer Duey, Director, Law Enforcement Engagement, Altria Client Services, Ken Mosley, Senior Special Agent, ATF (ret.), and John Connolly, New York State Petroleum, Alcohol, Tobacco Bureau, Chief Investigator (ret.)

The Future of Training is Now: eLearning as an Agency Tool

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | 3:00PM TO 4:00PM | JUSTICE ROOM

Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing greater demands for training while facing issues of personnel availability, funding, and elevated crime rates, and sheriff’s offices are not immune. Better trained deputies have a stronger understanding of the “why” of their agencies’ approaches, are more confident in their work, and can lead to decreased citizen complaints. On-demand online training, also known as eLearning, can help bridge training gaps, allowing agencies to train their deputies on a wide variety of topics without having to backfill shifts or pay overtime, and focusing training dollars and time on subjects that must be taught in person. In this seminar, attendees will hear from sheriffs who have taken advantage of eLearning to improve their offices’ ability to train their deputies, as well as representatives from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and National Center for Policing Innovation about best practices for developing and deploying eLearning. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about how their own offices can take advantage of free eLearning opportunities from the COPS Office, the only component of the U.S. Department of Justice with policing in its title.

PRESENTERS: Jeremy Kommel-Bernstein, Policy Analyst, USDOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), Sheriff Todd Delain, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, WI, Sheriff Jose Quiroz, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, VA, and Sheila Gunderman, Director of Programs, National Center for Policing Innovation

Jeremy Kommel-Bernstein is a Policy Analyst with the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, where he oversees the COPS Training Portal, develops new training policies, and manages grants providing funds for a variety of law enforcement-focused issue areas. Prior to joining the COPS Office, Jeremy served as an immigration officer, including training officers to conduct humanitarian-related interviews. During, and for several years after college, he worked in law enforcement in Massachusetts. He holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Missouri State University.

Todd Delain has been the Sheriff of Brown County (Wisconsin) since January of 2019. In 1990 he began his career of service in the United States Army as a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent. While in the Army he was deployed for the Persian Gulf War and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. In 1995 he completed his Army enlistment and accepted a position as a Correctional Officer for the State of Wisconsin. In 1996 he was hired by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. As a member of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office he has numerous positions, including the Chief Deputy (#2 In-Command) for the eight years prior to being elected Sheriff.

He has an Associate and Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior. He has a Graduate Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 252nd Session, Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy 15th Session and has completed the Penn State University Police Officer Executive Development Program. Additionally, he has completed the Missing Children’s Seminar and Exploited Children Seminar for Chief Executives at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in Alexandria, Virginia.

Sheriff Delain is a Past President of the FBI National Academy Associates – Wisconsin Chapter. Currently, Sheriff Delain is the 1st Vice President of Badger State Sheriffs’ Association and Chairperson of the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board.

Sheriff Jose Quiroz joined the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office on September 10, 2001. Sheriff Quiroz graduated from the 106th Session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in 2002 and was assigned to the Corrections Division of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. In 2005, Sheriff Quiroz was transferred to the Judicial Services Division assigned to the Court Security section. In 2014, he was transferred to the Detention Facility and worked in the Records Section. In 2015, Sheriff Quiroz was promoted to sergeant, as a first line supervisor in the detention facility.

In 2018, Sheriff Quiroz was assigned to the Training Section as the training sergeant which was a newly created position. As the training sergeant Sheriff Quiroz was assigned to oversee the Field Training program, supervise newly hired deputy sheriff recruits, and assist with other training assignments within the sheriff’s office.

In 2019, Sheriff Quiroz was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assumed the role of Training Coordinator, overseeing all training related functions for the sheriff’s office. In 2022, Sheriff Quiroz was promoted to captain and assigned to oversee all sheriff’s office contracts to include the medical and food services contracts. In January of 2023, he was appointed Sheriff of Arlington County and was elected the 19th Sheriff of Arlington County in November of 2023. Sheriff Quiroz’s key initiatives as Sheriff are: community engagement, running a safe and progressive jail focused on rehabilitation and the wellness and development of his staff.

Sheriff Quiroz loves serving his community and is passionate about connecting the sheriff’s office with the community. In 2018, he created the sheriff’s office annual breast cancer awareness campaign which has donated over twenty thousand dollars to the Virginia Hospital Center Outpatient Clinic.

Sheriff Quiroz is USMC veteran, a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute Leadership and Jail Administration courses, the Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Virginia Sheriff’s Institute program, the University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Jail Executive Institute leadership program. Sheriff Quiroz is a member of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, American Jail Association, American Correctional Association and the Arlington Optimist Club. Sheriff Quiroz is also a regional director for Special Olympics Virginia and a board member of the USS Arlington Community Alliance non-profit.

Sheila Gunderman is the Director of Programs at the National Center for Policing Innovation (NCPI), where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the COPS Training Portal. She also has been heavily involved in the development and delivery of numerous training courses, both in-person and eLearning, for the COPS Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Homeland Security, state-level law enforcement entities, and other projects aimed at supporting local, state, and national law enforcement efforts. Sheila works with the COPS Office to develop and implement strategic plans, with a focus on improved support for user learning and experience.