Agenda | The Police Recruitment and Retention Summit | A FRA Conference

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The Police Recruitment and Retention Summit
February 18-20, 2025
Las Vegas

Agenda

Take a look at the agenda we have planned for Las Vegas - it's packed with the insights and strategies you need to elevate your recruitment and retention efforts. Get ready for sessions covering digital recruiting, utilizing the military for recruitment, creating a culture of wellness, and streamlining processes. With 12 focused sessions, 7+ hours of networking, and a brand-new pre-conference workshop on the schedule, this is an event you can't afford to miss!

Tuesday - February 18, 2025

3:00 PM 7:00 PM

2:00 PM 6:00 PM

1:00 PM 5:00 PM

12:00 PM 4:00 PM

9:00 PM 1:00 AM

Registration Desk

Registration Desk Hours: 12:00PM - 4:00PM

4:00 PM 5:50 PM

3:00 PM 4:50 PM

2:00 PM 3:50 PM

1:00 PM 2:50 PM

10:00 PM 11:50 PM

Pre-Conference Workshop: Leveraging Digital Recruiting, Part 1: Social Media

This in-depth workshop – featuring hands-on learning and actionable strategies – is open to all   conference registrants. No additional registration is required.

 

  • Understand best practices for different social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and others
  • Get tips for using social media on a tight budget
  • Learn to develop targeted posts with the right messages posted at the right time
  • Discover how to create impactful social media videos using your cell phone 
  • Find out how to use the analytics of each platform to optimize results
  • Learn about algorithms and other mysteries of social media
  • Participate in exercises and activities that will solidify your learning

 

Jessica L. Staats, MS, MA, Culture Coach, Senior Authority

Colorado Department of Corrections

 

Shandra Mutchie, Recruitment Coordinator 

Utah Department of Corrections 

 

Cody Thomas, Public Relations Director

Nebraska State Patrol

 

Stephen William Benson II, Sergeant

DC Metropolitan Police Department

5:50 PM 6:10 PM

4:50 PM 5:10 PM

3:50 PM 4:10 PM

2:50 PM 3:10 PM

11:50 PM 12:10 AM

Networking Break

6:10 PM 8:00 PM

5:10 PM 7:00 PM

4:10 PM 6:00 PM

3:10 PM 5:00 PM

12:10 AM 2:00 AM

Pre-Conference Workshop: Leveraging Digital Recruiting, Part 2: Programmatic Advertising

  • Learn how to go beyond social media and specifically target your desired market with programmatic advertising
  • Understand various programmatic advertising strategies and tactics, including geofencing, native ads, and streaming TV
  • Identify budget-friendly targeting techniques that deliver maximum results
  • Learn how to optimize and personalize your ads to attract quality candidates
  • Equip yourself to engage with marketing firms with greater confidence and expertise
  • Take away actionable ideas that will help you develop and enhance your digital recruiting strategy

 

Jessica L. Staats, MS, MA, Culture Coach, Senior Authority

Colorado Department of Corrections

 

Shandra Mutchie, Recruitment Coordinator

 Utah Department of Corrections

 

Cody Thomas, Public Relations Director

Nebraska State Patrol

 

Stephen William Benson II, Sergeant

DC Metropolitan Police Department

8:00 PM 9:00 PM

7:00 PM 8:00 PM

6:00 PM 7:00 PM

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

2:00 AM 3:00 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 PM 9:00 PM

7:00 PM 8:00 PM

6:00 PM 7:00 PM

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

2:00 AM 3:00 AM

Welcome Cocktail Reception

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.

Wednesday - February 19, 2025

11:00 AM 7:00 PM

10:00 AM 6:00 PM

9:00 AM 5:00 PM

8:00 AM 4:00 PM

5:00 PM 1:00 AM

Registration Desk

Registration Desk Hours: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

11:00 AM 9:00 PM

10:00 AM 8:00 PM

9:00 AM 7:00 PM

8:00 AM 6:00 PM

5:00 PM 3:00 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

11:00 AM 12:00 PM

10:00 AM 11:00 AM

9:00 AM 10:00 AM

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

Networking Breakfast

12:00 PM 12:10 PM

11:00 AM 11:10 AM

10:00 AM 10:10 AM

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

6:00 PM 6:10 PM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice

University of Virginia

 

Tracie Keesee, Associate Professor

University of Virginia

Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

12:10 PM 1:00 PM

11:10 AM 12:00 PM

10:10 AM 11:00 AM

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

6:10 PM 7:00 PM

Keynote Address: How to Identify a Great Law Enforcement Officer Candidate

  • Explore the competencies, qualities, and attributes of an effective law enforcement officer
  • Gain strategies for finding and selecting candidates that will be effective officers
  • Discuss ways to retain those effective officers once they’ve been hired

Patrick Oliver, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Criminal Justice Program 

Cedarville University 

Author of Recruitment, Selection & Retention of Law Enforcement Officers 

1:00 PM 1:50 PM

12:00 PM 12:50 PM

11:00 AM 11:50 AM

10:00 AM 10:50 AM

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

Elevate Your Department’s Public Image to Boost Interest in Law Enforcement Careers

  • Learn how to build relationships in your community that will benefit your department’s reputation
  • Hear how departments have overcome traumatic events, such as police-involved shootings
  • Get tips for educating all officers about how their actions positively – or negatively – reflect on the whole department

 

William Slaton, Captain, Recruitment Services Division Director

Pennsylvania State Police

 

Yasmin Brown, Captain, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services

Maryland-National Capital Park Police

1:50 PM 2:10 PM

12:50 PM 1:10 PM

11:50 AM 12:10 PM

10:50 AM 11:10 AM

7:50 PM 8:10 PM

Networking Break

2:10 PM 3:10 PM

1:10 PM 2:10 PM

12:10 PM 1:10 PM

11:10 AM 12:10 PM

8:10 PM 9:10 PM

Fast and Effective Ways to Screen Job Applicants to Avoid Bad Hires and Improve Quality

  • Improve the quality of job applicants and reduce risk for the hiring agency
  • Obtain 98-99% confidence in hiring trustworthy applicants
  • Streamline the hiring process and implement it quickly for a competitive advantage

 

Todd Mickelsen, Chief Executive Officer

Converus

Ted Barnard, Lieutenant 

Page Police Department 

3:10 PM 4:10 PM

2:10 PM 3:10 PM

1:10 PM 2:10 PM

12:10 PM 1:10 PM

9:10 PM 10:10 PM

Networking Lunch

4:10 PM 5:00 PM

3:10 PM 4:00 PM

2:10 PM 3:00 PM

1:10 PM 2:00 PM

10:10 PM 11:00 PM

Building a Department That Reflects Your Community

  • Understand and manage implicit bias and inequities in recruiting and hiring
  • Explore ways to cultivate an environment that fosters inclusiveness and belonging
  • Learn techniques for recruiting and supporting women, people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those from the LGBTQ+ community

 

Jo Castaños, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Career Team

Colorado Department of Corrections

 

Dr. Tracie Keesee, Associate Professor

University of Virginia

Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

5:00 PM 5:50 PM

4:00 PM 4:50 PM

3:00 PM 3:50 PM

2:00 PM 2:50 PM

11:00 PM 11:50 PM

Proven Techniques for Streamlining the Application and Hiring Process

  • Discuss how the traditional months-long application process is a barrier to hiring more qualified applicants
  • Learn to use technology to reduce the time from application to academy
  • Walk away with many strategies for a shorter but equally effective hiring process

 

Mike Boward, Sergeant

Fort Collins Police Department

 

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice

University of Virginia

 

Gary Backous, Lieutenant, Support Services Commander

Story County Sheriff’s Office

 

Dominic Morrocco, Chief Executive Officer

RecruitApp.ai

5:50 PM 6:10 PM

4:50 PM 5:10 PM

3:50 PM 4:10 PM

2:50 PM 3:10 PM

11:50 PM 12:10 AM

Networking Break

6:10 PM 7:00 PM

5:10 PM 6:00 PM

4:10 PM 5:00 PM

3:10 PM 4:00 PM

12:10 AM 1:00 AM

Case Study: Reaching Out to the Military for New Recruits

  • Hear one agency’s experience building a successful comprehensive military recruitment program
  • Get insights on how to engage and build relationships with nearby military bases
  • Discuss ways to support veterans after they are hired
  • Learn how to capitalize on veteran hires to recruit other candidates

 

Kimberly Maki, Recruitment and Retention Officer

Washington State Patrol

 

Bryan Villanueva, Trooper, Recruiter 

Washington State Patrol 

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

6:00 PM 6:50 PM

5:00 PM 5:50 PM

4:00 PM 4:50 PM

1:00 AM 1:50 AM

Strategies to Keep Your Officer Pipeline Full

  • Explore various ways to start a strong pipeline program or enhance the one you have
  • Hear real-life stories of how agencies are developing the next generation of recruits through initiatives such as internships, explorer programs, and cadet programs
  • Get strategies for partnering with universities to reach students who are interested in law enforcement

 

Tiffney Lindley, Sergeant, Recruitment and Training Division Supervisor

Fayetteville Police Department

 

Steven Soyka, Sheriff

Stearns County Sheriff’s Office

7:50 PM 8:00 PM

6:50 PM 7:00 PM

5:50 PM 6:00 PM

4:50 PM 5:00 PM

1:50 AM 2:00 AM

Closing Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice

University of Virginia

 

Tracie Keesee, Associate Professor

University of Virginia

Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

8:00 PM 9:00 PM

7:00 PM 8:00 PM

6:00 PM 7:00 PM

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

2:00 AM 3:00 AM

Networking Cocktail Reception

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.

Thursday - February 20, 2025

11:00 AM 2:00 PM

10:00 AM 1:00 PM

9:00 AM 12:00 PM

8:00 AM 11:00 AM

5:00 PM 8:00 PM

Registration Desk

Registration Desk Hours: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

11:00 AM 4:00 PM

10:00 AM 3:00 PM

9:00 AM 2:00 PM

8:00 AM 1:00 PM

5:00 PM 10:00 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

11:00 AM 12:00 PM

10:00 AM 11:00 AM

9:00 AM 10:00 AM

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

Networking Breakfast

12:00 PM 12:10 PM

11:00 AM 11:10 AM

10:00 AM 10:10 AM

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

6:00 PM 6:10 PM

Opening Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice

University of Virginia

 

Tracie Keesee, Associate Professor

University of Virginia

Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

12:10 PM 1:00 PM

11:10 AM 12:00 PM

10:10 AM 11:00 AM

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

6:10 PM 7:00 PM

Developing Leaders Who Foster a Positive Culture and Officer Loyalty

  • Explore leadership styles and how they can impact retention
  • Get tips for providing training for supervisors that will give them listening, coaching, and other critical skills
  • Understand the importance of instilling the ability to create a supportive environment for officers

 

 

Bob Rossi, Ed.D, Leadership and Curriculum Administrator

Phoenix Regional Police Academy

1:00 PM 1:50 PM

12:00 PM 12:50 PM

11:00 AM 11:50 AM

10:00 AM 10:50 AM

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

Creating a Culture of Wellness

  • Discuss how creating a culture of wellness and removing the stigma of addressing mental health can improve recruitment and retention
  • Explore resources law enforcement agencies can offer officers to meet their mental health needs
  • Discover how officers can help each other through peer support programs

 

Nikki Woodrow, Sergeant, Pre-Employment and Recruiting

Wichita Police Department

 

Erin Wannow, Sergeant, Recruiting

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office

 

1:50 PM 2:10 PM

12:50 PM 1:10 PM

11:50 AM 12:10 PM

10:50 AM 11:10 AM

7:50 PM 8:10 PM

Networking Break

2:10 PM 3:00 PM

1:10 PM 2:00 PM

12:10 PM 1:00 PM

11:10 AM 12:00 PM

8:10 PM 9:00 PM

Everyone’s a Recruiter! Training Existing Officers to Bring in New Ones

  • Discover how to instill a recruitment mindset in all your officers
  • Learn the elements of an effective recruiter training program for all officers
  • Get buy-in from managing officers about the importance of front-line officers being involved in recruitment activities

 

Moderator: 

Graham Tinius, Executive Board Member 

National Association of Field Training Officers 

 

Shandra Mutchie, Recruitment Coordinator 

Utah Department of Corrections 

 

Micheal Reyes, Recruiter 

Utah Department of Corrections 

 

Kristen Wright-Van Meter, Deputy 

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office 

Former Recruiting Sergeant, Arizona Department of Public Safety 

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

1:00 PM 2:00 PM

12:00 PM 1:00 PM

9:00 PM 10:00 PM

Networking Lunch

4:00 PM 4:45 PM

3:00 PM 3:45 PM

2:00 PM 2:45 PM

1:00 PM 1:45 PM

10:00 PM 10:45 PM

Successful Recruitment and Retention for the Intergenerational Workplace

  • Understand how each generation works and structure your workplace to increase retention
  • Learn what motivates the different generations to attract them to your organization
  • Explore team-building activities to bridge the gaps

 

Mike Crawford, Lieutenant, Recruitment and Training Division  

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office 

 

Ettice Brickus, Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Patrol, Area 2 Commander

Baltimore Police Department

4:45 PM 5:30 PM

3:45 PM 4:30 PM

2:45 PM 3:30 PM

1:45 PM 2:30 PM

10:45 PM 11:30 PM

Preparing Candidates for Success

  • Hear about ways agencies are helping potential candidates prepare for the application, testing, and other steps of the hiring process
  • Understand the importance of interacting with candidates and making a human connection with them
  • Learn tactics for encouraging candidates to prepare and apply again, if appropriate, when they don’t succeed the first time

 

Moderator: 

Kristen Wright-Van Meter, Deputy 

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office 

Former Recruiting Sergeant, Arizona Department of Public Safety 

 

Anton Maltby, Deputy

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office

 

Brisa Daniel, Hiring and Recruitment Coordinator

Surprise Police Department

 

Morgan Zerbe, Detective, Recruiting Coordinator

Pima County Sheriff’s Department

5:30 PM 5:40 PM

4:30 PM 4:40 PM

3:30 PM 3:40 PM

2:30 PM 2:40 PM

11:30 PM 11:40 PM

Closing Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice

University of Virginia

 

Tracie Keesee, Associate Professor

University of Virginia

Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity