The RISS Program: A Playbook for Strengthening Information Sharing, Investigations, and Officer Safety
Sunday, February 5 | 8:00am to 9:00am
Law enforcement agencies have often referred to RISS as an extra law enforcement officer or analyst working to help enhance their information sharing and investigative efforts. Law enforcement agencies and officers turn to RISS daily to request support and access RISS resources. You may not be aware of the diverse and critical resources available to you, many at no cost.
RISS is a nationwide program composed of six regional centers and the RISS Technology Support Center (RTSC). RISS supports efforts against all crimes, including violent and gun crimes, hate crimes, domestic terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other regional and emerging priorities. RISS is used by more than 9,800 agencies across the country, more than half of law enforcement agencies in the United States, many of which are smaller or rural.
You can easily put RISS at the center of your investigative efforts through its three priorities:
1. Investigative Case Support: RISS offers law enforcement agencies and officers a full range of critical support services and resources as well as provides expertise and technical assistance.
Need analytical help? RISS has expert analysts ready to support you in developing link analysis charts, crime scene diagrams, audio/video enhancements, and other products.
Have information but no time to research it further? RISS intelligence research staff can access dozens of databases and systems and compile results to help you find the needle in the haystack.
Whether it is the services listed above, training, publications, equipment, or field support, the RISS Centers are ready to help support you.
2. Secure Information and Intelligence Sharing: RISS’s information sharing services help connect officers across jurisdictions to identify new investigative leads and links, solve crimes, and aid in successful case resolution.
Need to share information or intelligence with neighboring agencies or multijurisdictional partners? RISS operates the RISS Criminal Intelligence Database, which provides a single search of 60 connected systems.
Seeking information from fellow officers? The RISSLeads Investigative Website offers collaboration tools to connect you with officers and provides meaningful and actionable information.
Did you know RISS, through its secure cloud, known as RISSNET, houses more than 250 resources and provides access to more than 70 million records?
3. Officer Safety Resources and Deconfliction: Deconfliction is an essential component in safeguarding officers and citizens, supporting operations, strengthening information sharing, reducing risk and liability, helping prevent friendly fire, and enhancing investigative efforts.
Working an undercover operation? Do you know what other agencies or officers may be working in the same location at the same time? Speakers will provide an overview of deconfliction systems available through RISS, including officer safety event deconfliction and how they can safeguard your officers and enhance operations.
This session will bring these components together in a playbook you can take back to your agency and use immediately. Speakers will showcase available RISS services, demonstrate vital resources, share real-life examples, and facilitate an open discussion with attendees to share needs and how RISS can support those efforts.
PRESENTERS: Doug Burig, Executive Director, MAGLOCLEN, A RISS Center, and Matt McDonald, RISS Chief Information Officer, Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS)
Douglas Burig is the Executive Director of the Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network (MAGLOCLEN), one of the six Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Centers. RISS is a congressionally funded program and receives its funding through grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. RISS provides secure information and intelligence sharing, investigative support services, and officer safety deconfliction to thousands of law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across the U.S and other countries.
As the MAGLOCLEN Executive Director, Mr. Burig is responsible for the overall operations and management of the center, strategic development, regional partnerships, staff development, policy board relationships and coordination, and a host of other center-specific, regional, and nationwide responsibilities.
Prior to Mr. Burig’s appointment as Executive Director, he was a member of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for 25 years, where he served as Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (Major). He was responsible for statewide oversight of the investigative programs and specialized investigative resources for his agency, including intelligence and counterterrorism, drug enforcement, organized crime, domestic security operations, computer crime, marine operations, and criminal investigation assessment. Prior to this position, Mr. Burig served in numerous disciplines within the PSP, including patrol; criminal investigations; criminal investigation assessment; the AMBER Alert Program; analytical intelligence as the commander of the state’s primary designated fusion center, the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center; and as Director of the Intelligence Division. In addition, he served on the state’s Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team for seven years.
Mr. Burig is a member of the RISS National Policy Group (RNPG) which is the governing body for the RISS Program and consists of the six RISS Directors and the chair of each center’s policy board. Mr. Burig serves as the Chair of the RISS Outreach Committee (ROC). The ROC consists of staff from the six RISS Centers, the RISS Technology Support Center, and other appropriate participants. The ROC is responsible for executing the tenets outlined in the RISS Outreach and Education Plan.
Mr. Burig earned a master of science degree in the administration of justice and homeland security from Wilmington University and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Salisbury University. He is also a graduate of the 255th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. In 2018, Mr. Burig completed the one-year FBI International Leadership in Counterterrorism Program.
Mr. Burig is a member of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the IACP Police Investigative Operations Committee. He formerly served on the Pennsylvania Coroner’s Education Board, the Anti-Defamation League’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and as the Vice President of the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA). Since 2017, Mr. Burig has been a regular presenter at the FBI National Academy.
Matthew McDonald is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program. Mr. McDonald serves under the authority of the RISS National Policy Group. As the RISS CIO,
Mr. McDonald represents RISS and its interests at the national level and promotes the value of RISS services, programs, and resources. He serves as the liaison and national point of contact to provide updates and education on RISS-related initiatives and to further develop partnerships. Mr. McDonald maintains and fosters opportunities to present RISS solutions for information sharing, deconfliction, and investigative support.
Prior to his current position, Mr. McDonald was the Training Supervisor for the Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network (MAGLOCLEN), a RISS Center, from 2007 to 2013. In this role, he was responsible for all law enforcement training within MAGLOCLEN’s multistate region. From 2001 to 2007, he served as a law enforcement coordinator for MAGLOCLEN in the eastern Pennsylvania region.
Prior to joining RISS, Mr. McDonald served 23 years with the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Police Department, including the areas of Patrol, Burglary Detail, the Major Investigations Division, and the West Detective Division. He also served on federal task forces with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Organized Crime Intelligence Unit and the DEA Violent Traffickers Project, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Philadelphia/Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
Mr. McDonald serves on several other national boards, including the Nlets Partners Policy Board, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Partners Board, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis Partners Board, and the National Alliance of Gang Investigators (NAGIA) Board.
Mr. McDonald has been the recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award from the United States Attorney General, a Humanitarian Award from the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission for teenage crisis intervention, and a 20-Year Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Department of Recreation for his work as President of the Fox Chase Champions Athletic Association for Special Needs Children.
Mr. McDonald has provided expert witness testimony for the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, on the topics of gangs, weapons, drugs, and violent crimes.
Mr. McDonald holds a master of science degree in criminal justice and a bachelor of science degree in sociology, with a minor in criminal justice, from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation,
Mr. McDonald was admitted into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda, Omega Chapter.
PRESENTERS: Sheriff (ret.) John Whetsel, Nick Breul, Reo Nelson, and Dan Marquith
Capping off a 50-year law enforcement career, John Whetsel retired on March 1, 2017, in his 21st year and sixth term as Oklahoma County Sheriff. John is a nationally recognized law enforcement consultant, traffic safety advocate, trainer, and speaker.
John and wife Mitzi live in Choctaw Oklahoma and attend the St. John’s Catholic Church in Edmond where he serves on the Safety and Security Committee.
Whetsel began his law enforcement career in 1967 as a night records clerk with the Midwest City OK Police Dept. During his career he served as Jones OK Chief of Police before joining Choctaw OK Police in 1973 where he served as Police Chief for 21 years before being elected Sheriff. Sheriff Whetsel has earned an associate and bachelor’s degrees and has master’s studies.
Sheriff Whetsel continues his work in traffic safety and chairs the National Sheriffs’ Assn Traffic Safety Committee, serves on the NSA Government Affairs Committee and the Lyft National Safety Advisory Committee. John is Co-Chair of the MADD National Law Enforcement Advisory Board and serves on the Federal Highways Administration Traffic Incident Management Executive Leadership Group. He has served on working groups for the National Sheriffs’ Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Governors’ Highway Safety Association, and International Association of Chiefs of Police.
John is a past president of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, the Oklahoma Chiefs of Police Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Sheriff Whetsel is the recipient of many honors including the Governor’s Highway Safety Assn Trail Blazer Award, the Michael J Garner Oklahoma Traffic Advocate Award, and the J. Stannard Baker Excellence in Traffic Safety Award presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Sheriffs’ Assn.
In 2006, Sheriff Whetsel was named the Oklahoma Sheriff of the Year and in 2011 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Board of Chemical Tests for Alcohol & Drug Influence Hall of Fame.
Reo Nelson is a seasoned safety and security professional with three decades of experience in law enforcement, security operations, and traffic safety, among other areas.
Reo is a decorated United States Air Force veteran who has served his country proudly in multiple tours abroad and domestically as a security forces member. His veteran experience and passion for public service led him to continue his law enforcement career by serving in the U.S. intelligence agency community as a physical security specialist. Currently, Reo is employed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a highway safety specialist in the Enforcement and Justice Services (EJS) division. His program areas include speed, speed management, and officer safety. He develops and manages programs designed to improve equitable highway safety activities and provides technical assistance to regions, and communities throughout the nation.
Daniel P. Marquith is a senior-level law enforcement executive with more than 20 years of experience leading public safety operations at the local and federal level. Skilled in planning, organizing and coordinating sensitive activities in conjunction with federal agencies, including DEA, DHS, Secret Service and FEMA, he specializes in investigation, risk assessment, disaster response, security planning and anti-terrorism. Mr. Marquith trained and commanded teams and established relationships with community, political and agency-level stakeholders to achieve organizational goals.
Mr. Marquith began his career at the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office as a civilian. In 2002, Mr. Marquith relocated to the Florida Keys, and accepted a position as a deputy sheriff with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. In 2004, he moved to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office where he was assigned to the Patrol Division and Sexual Offender Task Force as a Deputy Sheriff. He was ultimately transferred to the Sheriff’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, where he served as an Aggressive Driving Deputy, DUI Investigator, DUI Instructor, and Drug Recognition Expert. His strong knowledge of police operations and ability to build consensus were quickly recognized by the leadership team. He would go on to receive a series of promotions that eventually led to him becoming a Captain. Under his leadership, the organization has delivered a double-digit reduction in crime, improved officer performance, and increased inter-agency collaboration with federal authorities.
After his retirement from law enforcement, Mr. Marquith served as an adviser to Congressman Darren Soto of Florida’s Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He entered nonprofit senior management as the deputy regional executive director at Mothers Against Drunk Driving, managing operations in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. While with MADD, he developed, implemented and managed initiatives to reestablish the organization’s brand and increase victim services to those impacted by impaired driving. Mr. Marquith also oversaw MADD’s expansion into the Caribbean and was instrumental in engaging with territorial leaders which resulted in the funding and hiring of five full-time employees for the first time in the history of the organization.
In October 2022, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced Mr. Marquith’s appointment to his administration. Mr. Marquith currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mr. Marquith serves as a senior advisor to the office of the Director and is responsible for overseeing engagement with our nation’s state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Mr. Marquith serves as a National Sheriff’s Association committee member and former co-chair of the Florida Public Service Association. He continues his law enforcement service in Florida as a reserve deputy sheriff for the Seminole County (FL) Sheriff’s Office. He graduated from the College of the Florida Keys Law Enforcement Academy in 2002.
Investigating Animal Cruelty: The Role of Law Enforcement and the Resources Available
Sunday, February 5 | 10:00am to 11:00am
All fifty states have laws on the books that criminalize animal cruelty, neglect and fighting, however, the investigative and logistical aspects of these cases don’t often reside within the wheelhouse of traditional law enforcement agencies. Hoarding, puppy mill, and farm animal cases can involve up to hundreds of animals and require massive resources in terms of manpower, facilities, and budget. Addressing criminal animal cruelty is important on its own merit, but it is important to note that these crimes often occur alongside other crimes against humans such as domestic violence, child neglect, or illegal gang activity. Communities expect law enforcement agencies to enforce the animal cruelty laws in their state, yet these cases are frequently de-prioritized due to the time, resources, and training they require.
In this presentation, Animal Legal Defense Fund attorney Betsy Biffl demystifies law enforcement’s response to animal cruelty cases and offers guidance to investigators in the planning and execution of search warrants, animal seizure and protective custody logistics, evidence collection, veterinary forensics, and report writing. She will also introduce attendees to the ways the Animal Legal Defense Fund can assist agencies in all aspects of animal cruelty case investigation and prosecution, including grants to cover the cost of caring for animals in protective custody, filing forfeiture motions, and utilizing experts such as forensic veterinarians and other animal specialists.
PRESENTER: Betsy Biffl, Contract Attorney, Animal Legal Defense Fund – Criminal Justice Program
Betsy Biffl is joining us in her role as a contract attorney with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. She started her career as an Assistant State Attorney in Lee County, Florida where she prosecuted domestic violence cases for six years and served as the DV Unit Chief. She routinely conducted local and state trainings on domestic violence prosecutions, including evidence collection and documentation, for law enforcement, health care providers, victim advocates, students, and community groups. Betsy later served as one of the State Attorney’s Office’s designated firearm prosecutors. Her 100 jury trials with the SAO includzed a dozen homicides, two insanity cases, and various other high-profile cases, including two that were covered by Court TV and one that was the subject of a Dateline NBC episode.
Betsy left the SAO to join the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. For nine years she conducted grand jury investigations and prosecuted federal criminal civil rights violations, primarily hate crimes and color of law cases. She was recognized by the FBI – Indianapolis Division for prosecutions arising out of a bias-motivated arson and several cross burnings. She was also a recipient of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team for prosecution of a former Commander of the Chicago Police Department related to his abuse and torture of men in custody in the 1970s and ‘80s. While at DOJ, Betsy also provided training and technical assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement officers around the country on new and existing laws, such as the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Since 2018, Betsy has taken on special projects for ALDF, such as drafting Farmed Animal Cruelty Prosecution Guides for several states, including Virginia, reviewing animal cruelty cases to provide advice on prosecutorial merit, and presenting trainings to law enforcement.
The Dos and Don’ts of Implementing a Collaborative Mental Health Team, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Perspective
Sunday, February 5 | 10:00am to 11:00am
In 2019 the Pasco Sheriff’s Office implemented the Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT), a mental health collaborative with BayCare Behavioral Health. BHIT works with high needs, high risk individuals within Pasco County who are “super utilizers” of emergency services to connect them with community based resources. This presentation will cover an analysis of community needs and allocation of resources. As well as, measurable outcomes of diverted mental health calls for service and overall improvements for both the Sheriff’s Office and greater community.
PRESENTERS: Toni Roach, Captain, Pasco Sheriff’s Office (FL); and Jordyn Schroeder, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Pasco Sheriff’s Office (FL)
Captain Toni Roach is a certified law-enforcement officer and has worked for the Pasco County Sheriff’s office in Florida for over 20 years. Her law enforcement experience includes patrol, community policing, school resource officer, and training. Captain Roach holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is a certified CIT Coordinator, Mental Health First Aid Adult instructor and Public Safety Instructor. Captain Roach oversees the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Intervention Team, which focuses on collaboration between high utilizers of emergency services and the behavioral health community.
Jordyn Schroeder is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst and has been working for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office since March 2018. Jordyn Schroeder has her Masters in Criminology from the University of South Florida, with a research focus on juvenile offenders; community oriented policing, and criminal justice public policy. Jordyn Schroeder is a published academic author, with such publications as, “Examination of long-term post-release outcomes of juvenile homicide offenders” and “Citizens Perceptions of and Experiences with Palmetto Police.”
“Wicked Problems” Law Enforcements Role in Addiction, Recovery, and Reintegration
Sunday, February 5 | 11:15am to 12:15pm
This presentation will cover the steps in implementing an in-house jail program aimed at recovery and reintegration that incorporates the solution. The solution involves a collaborative approach involving law enforcement, attorneys, judges, probation, treatment providers, and community leaders.
PRESENTERS: Scott Wisenbaker, Executive Director, Solutions of North Texas; and Jeff Davis, Justice Department Director, Solutions of North Texas
Scott Wisenbaker is a Speaker, Author, and Founding Executive Director of Solutions of North Texas. (SONTX) Clean and sober since 1995, Scott has worked in the addiction field since 1997. In 2006 he saw the need for a unique approach to fighting addiction on a community level and a robust Re-Entry program to reintegrate men and women recovering from addiction back into the community and founded Solutions of North Texas. SONTX is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and licensed as a Chemical Dependency Treatment Center by the State of Texas. As of 2020 SONTX has provided direction and/or directly worked with over 14,000 individuals.
In 2017 he released his book, How to Get Your Kid Off Drugs, to aid families dealing with addiction. He currently serves on three Denton County Specialty Drug Courts and provides addiction and recovery training to the Legal Community as a whole. He has developed critical collaborations with hospitals, treatment centers, and the criminal justice community on a city, county, state, and federal level. His unique approach to re-entry captured the attention of The White House in 2011 after a brief meeting with Director R. Gil Kerlikowski, of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Scott attends and presents at various conferences and training including the National American Correctional Association Conference, where he met with Director Kerlikowski.
Captain Jeff Davis is a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in Desert Storm/Shield, and has prior law enforcement experience with the Denton Police Department from 1997-2005. Captain Jeff Davis currently oversees the Special Operations Division of the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, which encompasses the Drug Enforcement, Criminal Interdiction, K-9, Warrants, and Civil Units. Captain Davis is the Commander for Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Crisis and Hostage Negotiation Team. Captain Davis is the NARCAN Program Coordinator and a member of the Denton County Felony Drug Court Team.
Captain Jeff Davis has participated as a Special Federal Officer (Northern Drug Squad) with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Task Force Officer (Bulk Currency Initiative) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Special Deputy U.S. Marshal with the United States Marshal’s Service (USMS). Captain Davis is a founding member of the North Texas High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Group (HIDTA) and is deemed an expert witness in Narcotics Smuggling, Storage, and Distribution Techniques.
Captain Davis was awarded the Denton Police Officer of the Year in 2001. He received the National VFW Narcotics Officer of the Year in 2003 and the FBI Golden Eagle Award in 2003. Captain Davis received the Cooperative Effort Award (ONDCP) in 2003 from the Office of the President of the United States under President George W. Bush.
Recruitment & Retention of Deputy Sheriffs: Strategies & Solutions
Sunday, February 5 | 11:15am to 12:15pm
We can all see that the new normal for the foreseeable future is difficulty in hiring and retaining enough qualified peace officers. This presentation includes details on how you can increase your recruitment and retention successes in the main arenas you have influence: (1) A recruitment campaign that includes an effective digital and social media strategy; (2) An internal approach that recognizes your best recruiters are your own employees and their success is everyone’s success. Policing agencies of all sizes can learn and leverage new and viable strategies and solutions in the most competitive deputy sheriff, corrections officer and dispatcher recruitment environment we have ever seen.
PRESENTER: Mike Parker, Advisor (Cmdr, Ret., L.A.Co. Sheriff’s Office), Amentum/PAE for USDOJ ICITAP
Michael Parker is a Senior Law Enforcement Strategic Communications Advisor for USDOJ ICITAP (Amentum Contractor) internationally on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of State. Meanwhile, he has assisted thousands of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. with developing and implementing successful Recruitment and Retention approaches and communications strategies in today’s challenging environment. Nationally and internationally, his focus is to assist policing agencies in building public trust and cooperation and countering violent extremism through law enforcement communications improvements in: (1) Social media (2) News media (3) Internal police to police communications (4) Community Engagement/ Community Policing. He has presented over 100 times at policing conferences such as the National Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National COPS Office, Harvard Law School Labor and Worklife program, USDOJ International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), and others. He has published over 100 articles, and provided training for police from throughout the United States and 58 different countries. He retired as a Commander with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 after 32 years of service. He serves as Chair of the International Managers of Police Academy and College Training (IMPACT) Section of the IACP.
Dylann Roof Intelligence Collection at a Local Level
Sunday, February 5 | 1:45pm to 2:45pm
The long-term value and role local corrections play in the identification of bad actors (top violent offenders) after the arrest. In 2015 who would have thought that Dylann Roof would become a living martyr to so many future bad actors. The ability to utilize intelligence to secure a high-profile inmate at a local level and to use that intelligence to identify possible future bad actors does matter. Attendees will learn about how the intelligence collection process was established in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and learn about the various types of visitors and fans that Dylann Roof incited.
PRESENTER: Lauren Knapp, Counter Threat Project Officer, Charleston County Public Safety
Lauren Knapp was appointed the Counter Threat Manager for Charleston County Department of Public Safety in June 2020. As the Counter Threat Coordinator, she supports six divisions within Charleston County Government Public Safety Department, including: the 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center: Emergency Medical Services: Tri-County Biological Science Center: Awendaw Fire Department: Criminal Justice Coordinating Council: and Emergency Management Service. Within Charleston County Government she also supervises the threat prevention and response mission for all county departments; evaluates policy and procedures for effectiveness; identifies significant resources in information sharing, assessments, and plans; oversees training and education; and maintains collaborative relationships with external partners (ports, religious facilities, and private industry).
Upon returning in November 2019 from her Fellowship with the National Counterterrorism Center, she was named the Charleston County Counter Threat Coordinator for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office where she oversaw the Human Trafficking Unit that focuses on worldwide migrant smuggling, trafficking in persons, and clandestine terrorist travel.
From 2018 to 2019, Lauren was selected to serve as a Fellow with the Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). During her fellowship, she worked alongside NCTC, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation analysts to produce relevant, federally coordinated threat information on significant terrorism-related events that had the potential to impact local and regional public safety conditions across the US. She conducted continuous outreach and provided briefings to Intelligence Community partners to ensure state, local, territorial, and tribal partners’ equities were considered. She continues to be sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security as a result of her education and subject matter expertise in the field of corrections intelligence and state and local collaboration.
In 2004, she began her career as an agent with Probation Pardon Parole in Charleston County graduating from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. She assisted in the integration of over 1,000 court- supervised offenders through the General Sessions’ courts and Parole Board, while aiding victims of crimes. Under the City of Charleston, she served as the Crime Intelligence Officer from 2008 to 2010 and later as an analyst with the Seahawk Interagency Operations Center to establish an Intelligence Working Group with federal, state and local intelligence partners to analyze port operations, specifically intermodal threats and trends analysis. In 2014, she became the Senior Intelligence Officer assigned to the Security Threat Analysis Division, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Lauren implemented and developed a secure, systematic jail intelligence collection team that successfully contributed to key testimony and federal evidence in the Dylann Roof case in 2017.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with concentration in Health Promotions, and coursework in Sociology from The College of Charleston. She holds a Public Sector Leadership credential from Cornell University. She received the 2019 NCTC Award of Excellence, and in 2021 was selected as a mentor for the Department of Homeland Security Women in Law Enforcement Mentoring Program. Lauren has completed “New Approaches to Countering Violent Extremism” from the University of Maryland. Since 2019, Lauren is Co-Chair of the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force and from 2019-2022 she served as Chair of the Law Enforcement Sub-Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Formation Project, a non-profit who serves survivors of human trafficking.
Lauren has been a presenter for the National Homeland Security Conference; National Institute of Corrections; United States Secret Service JTTF; New York Police Department Intelligence Bureau; Texas Terrorism Liaison Officer Program; Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Leadership Development Seminar; Georgia Threat Intelligence Program and foreign delegation briefings. Lauren most recently spoke as the keynote speaker for the Canadian National Hate Crime Conference. She has also spoken and served as a panelist to the NYPD Counterterrorism and Cyber Invitation only Conference held in New York City in 2021. She also hosts analyst roundtables for the NYPD Intelligence Bureau. Lauren recently has been utilized in several trainings and discussions by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers on the topics of targeted violence and terrorism prevention.
Trauma Informed Policing
Sunday, February 5 | 1:45pm to 2:45pm
This class is taught by Sherrie Allsup who is a long term sexual assault survivor, trauma and suicide attempt survivor, along with Chief of Police, Wiley Gammon. Sherrie will share her personal story of sexual assault, trauma and suicide attempt and help officers/investigators understand these crimes from a victims point of view. Chief Gammon will educate on various techniques to interview trauma victims that will cause you to rethink your investigation tactics.
PRESENTER: Sherrie Allsup, CEO/Founder, Courage Starts With You
Sherrie Allsup is an international lecturer, an educator, and an advocate on the topics of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and suicide. Sherrie is the founder and CEO of Courage Starts With You. Sherrie’s training centers around shining a light on the dark epidemic of sexual abuse and assault. She is a member of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest, and Neglect Network).
Sherrie is the Founder of “Courage Starts with You.” For victims, Courage means telling someone and reaching out for help. For law enforcement, Courage means looking beyond traditional victim interview techniques to recognize how and why victims of assault may act differently than victims of other crimes.
Fighting Fraud in Your Community: Trends, Tips, and Tools
Sunday, February 5 | 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Hear from the Federal Trade Commission about the latest trends in cybercrime, telemarketing, and other fraud, cryptocurrency and other ways scammers take payment, emerging scams, and free investigative and outreach tools to help you protect your community.
We’ll demonstrate the Consumer Sentinel Network, a unique investigative cyber tool that gives you free access to millions of consumer complaints. Search by full or partial names, phone numbers, addresses, and more, identify suspects and witnesses, and connect with other law enforcement. Nearly 3,000 federal, state, local, and international law enforcement users have joined Sentinel; hundreds of individual members, including staff of sheriff offices, access the system each week.
And we’ll demonstrate the FTC’s free Explore Data cyber tool. Dig into aggregate consumer data with interactive dashboards. Track top complaints and trends in your state and metropolitan area. See fraud trends by loss amounts, payment and contact methods, and consumer age. Download visualizations for presentations and reports.
PRESENTER: Seena Gressin, Senior Attorney, Federal Trade Commission; and Nicholas Mastrocinque, Attorney and Program Manager, Federal Trade Commission
Seena Gressin is a senior attorney in the FTC’s Division of Consumer & Business Education, where her work focuses on consumer and business outreach in the areas of identity theft, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention. During her years at the FTC, Seena also has successfully investigated and litigated numerous cases involving imposter scams, telemarketing and business opportunity fraud, and deceptive debt collection practices. Her cases have returned millions of dollars to injured consumers.
Nicholas Mastrocinque manages the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, which gives law enforcement agencies free access to consumer fraud reports submitted to the FTC directly or through data contributors such as 25 state Attorneys General, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. He and his team have trained thousands of law enforcers to use Sentinel to quickly find information germane to their investigations. Nick continuously works to expand Sentinel’s database and functionality in response to law enforcement needs.
Paul Witt is the lead data analyst in the FTC’s Division of Consumer Response & Operations. He and his team analyze consumer complaints submitted to the Consumer Sentinel Network to help target the FTC’s law enforcement and education efforts and support its litigation. Paul also is responsible for the FTC’s Explore Data tool, which makes aggregate FTC consumer report data on fraud, identity theft, and other issues available to help you spot trends in your jurisdiction, state, and around the country.
IoT – Rethinking Officer Safety and Tactical Operations in a Digital World
Sunday, February 5 | 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Law enforcement officers will commonly encounter Internet of Things (IoT) devices like doorbell cameras, security cameras, motion sensors and lights in homes and businesses. These devices are inexpensive and can easily be set up to function with just a few steps. A simple voice command or shortcut in an app can cause a series of events to occur, creating an officer safety or evidentiary destruction event. Attendees will be introduced to a simulated “smart home” experience where the capabilities of IoT devices will be presented. Attendees will receive training on recognizing common IoTs and the possible hazards that can be associated with these devices. It is important for officer’s to be able to recognize potential threats, take necessary precautions and proper steps to seize and preserve digital evidence while preventing officer safety situations. Based on advancing technology, proper training, and modifications to existing standard operating procedures and policies need to be a consideration as it pertains to officer safety and the acquisition of digital evidence.
PRESENTER: Isaac Strickland, Senior Instructor, FLETC – Cyber Division; and Justin Rock, Senior Instructor, FLETC – Cyber Division
Isaac Strickland has been Instructor in the Law Enforcement Cyber Division (CYD) Technical Investigations Branch since 2016. He is the program coordinator for the Mobile Device Investigations Program (MDIP) and Digital Evidence Acquisition Specialist Training Program (DEASTP). He provides instruction in other advance CYD courses such as JTAG and Chip-off for Smart Phone Training Program (JCSTP) and is currently developing an Advance Analysis course for Mobile Devices. He has and continues to work closely with Federal Partners to develop training for agencies like NCIS, US Coast Guard (CGIS) and Department of Interior (DOI). Since his time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, he has continued to implement new training methods to basic and advance students in mobile forensics. He partners closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to bring the most up-to-date training to their field agents.
Isaac started his mobile forensic background at Armstrong State University Police Department, where he was a Lieutenant and an Investigator/Analyst with the Cyber Forensics Division. He helped develop and implement their forensic lab and evidence handling practices and procedures. During his time at ASU Cyber Division, the division was awarded the Georgia Governor’s Public Safety Award in 2013 and the Dr. Curtis E. McClung/ Motorola Award of Excellence in 2014. While at FLETC he has provided training at the National Cyber Crime Conference, National Sheriffs Association (NSA), National Technical Investigators Association (NATIA), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Cyber Crime Conference (CYCON).
Justin Rock retired from the US Air Force in 2016 after serving for 24 years. During his time with the USAF he was a full-time Technical Services Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. As a Technical Agent he supported technical operations involving criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, and counterespionage investigations throughout areas of responsibility in Europe, Southwest Asia, Africa, Turkey, and the United States.
Justin is also a fully accredited Technical Surveillance Countermeasures specialist that has conducted countermeasures investigations for the Department of Defense, US Air Force, and US Embassy locations across the world. Justin joined FLETC’s Cyber Division Team in 2016 and is currently the lead Senior Instructor for the Covert Electronic Surveillance Program. He also helps support the Internet Protocol Camera Program, Law Enforcement Mesh Network Training Program, Wireless Tracking Program, and various other Center Basic programs.
Hope Hub
Sunday, February 5 | 4:15pm to 5:15pm
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope Hub is a multidisciplinary panel made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. These partners will present cases of individuals or families that are at an elevated risk. Individuals and families struggling are referred to the Hope Hub and connected to life-changing services. Each week, the Hope Hub panel meets to determine if the individual or family would benefit from various service sectors. Those applicable agencies then work together as a team to do a door knock or intervention. To date, the program has assisted over 270 situations. The Hope Hub team is made up of a Sheriff’s Officer and a Social Case Worker. Once an individual or family consents to participate in the Hope Hub, the team will continue to follow the case through the continuum of care. Hope Hub staff will provide client progress to be tracked and analyzed using REACH software provided by our research partner to determine success or the need for necessary program adjustments. This pre-arrest model gives Morris County law enforcement the tools necessary to provide life-changing services. This creates community safety and well-being. Morris County, New Jersey will not work in silos.
PRESENTERS: Chelsea Whiting, Sheriff’s Officer, Morris County Sheriff’s Office; and Jaimie Bingham, Hope Hub Social Case Worker, Morris County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Chelsea Whiting is a motivated law enforcement professional with over 4 years of experience, dedicated to maintaining the high level of professionalism of her agency by improving relationships with the community and developing innovative ways to address community issues. Her career began at the Morris County Correction Facility in 2017 where she was assigned to maintaining the security and safety of civilians and inmates. In 2019, she was assigned to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office- Protective Services Division, Family Court. In 2020, she was assigned to the Community Outreach and Planning Section to cover community services details, including Hope One. On March 5, 2021, Officer Whiting launched the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope Hub. The Hope Hub is a multidisciplinary panel made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. These partners will present cases of individuals or families that are at an acutely elevated risk. The Hope Hub panel will determine if the individual or family would benefit from various service sectors. Those applicable agencies will then work together as a team to do a door knock or intervention. We are working together to help individuals and families struggling in Morris County. Her passion to help individuals in the community is reflected by connecting individuals/families to life-changing services.
Jaimie Bingham is a cross-disciplined Social Case Worker who began employment in the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in 2022. Ms. Bingham started her academic career obtaining her bachelor’s degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2016, focusing on Criminology, Sociology, and Psychology. Later in 2019, Jaimie went on to receive her two master’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Work from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Ms. Bingham has a passion for working hands on with individuals and has shown this by working in various prisons in NJ, as well as the Morris County Correctional Facility, where she worked for a Re-Integration Program. Ms. Bingham has also worked for the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance, truly dedicated to providing community members access to any and all services they may require. Ms. Bingham’s current roll as a Social Case Worker allows her to continue working with individuals in need of various services throughout Morris County. The Morris County Hope Hub Program connects individuals who are at an acutely elevated risk to a multitude of providers who can assess their eligibility and needs and provide them the best help possible. Working within this sector has been rewarding and ensures that Ms. Bingham’s passion for assisting the community is always fulfilled.
The Samantha Hopper Cold Case
Sunday, February 5 | 4:15pm to 5:15pm
Samantha Hopper was reported missing on Sept. 11, 1998. She was reported to have been traveling to drop off her daughter, Courtney Holt; however, Samantha who was eight months pregnant, her daughter, and the blue Ford Tempo she was driving were never located again until the case broke nearly 23 years later. Cpl. Erick Riggs was assigned to the case over ten years earlier and worked for more than a decade searching for answers. This case study will help highlight the do’s and don’ts of cold case units and help give Sheriffs ways to bring life back to seemingly hopeless investigations.
PRESENTER: Cpl. Erick Riggs, Criminal investigations Division, Pope County Sheriff, TN
Erick D. Riggs is a 21-year veteran of law enforcement where he’s currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Pope Country Sheriff’s Office. He has dedicated his entire adult professional career as a public servant, and for the last eleven years has served as an investigator working on homicides, missing person, sexual assault, arsons, internal affairs, and cold cases within the division. Cpl. Riggs has handled over a thousand assigned cases during his assignment in the division, and has personally investigated, led, assessed, and consulted on multiple state and federal indicted cases. Working within the fifth judicial district of Arkansas, Riggs has worked hand in hand with multiple judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys across the state.
Cpl. Riggs started his career at the age of eighteen and along the way has had the privilege of working for the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, The City of VanBuren, and The Dover Marshals Office. During this time, he was also assigned to special appointments as taskforce and contract officer with the U.S. Marshals and the DEA. As a result, Riggs has been able to work in the areas of corrections, patrol, K-9, criminal investigations, and forensics.
He has been the recipient of multiple awards and accommodations to include a lifesaving award and a first place decoration from the Arkansas Sheriff’s Association. He has received diplomas, certificates, and continuing education from Southern Arkansas Tech University, The University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University, The University of Florida, and The University of Tennessee.
Riggs is a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, graduate of The Criminal Justice Institutes as a certified crime scene technician, has completed training from the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Research Facility, better known as “The Body Farm”, and a certified International Association of Voice Stress Analysts as an examiner.