Information Desk Open

Stop by the Information Desk to check in for the event, pick up your conference badge, ask questions, and get all the details you need. The FRA team is here to help make your experience smooth and enjoyable! 

Networking Breakfast

Join us for a hot breakfast while networking with peers, included in your registration! 

Traditional Breakfast Buffet (sample menu - subject to change):
Cage-free scrambled eggs, hominy grits, local smoked bacon, freshly made chicken apple sausage, crispy smashed potatoes, local and seasonally inspired sliced and whole fruit, chef’s selection fresh-baked pastries, steel-cut oatmeal bar, selection of chilled juices, hot tea, regular and decaf coffee. 

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs: 

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

Tracie Keesee
Associate Professor 
University of Virginia 
Co-founder
Center for Policing Equity 

Keynote Address: Lessons Learned from Recruitment Audits

• Discuss police recruitment audits and how they evaluate the quality of recruitment efforts 
• Explore the findings of recent recruitment audits and learn what agencies are doing well and what needs improvement 
• Hear the top recommendations for improvement and consider how these might be applied to your own recruitment efforts 

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

Recruiting the Next Generation of Law Enforcement Officers

• Understand what motivates Millennials and members of Gen Z and how you can use that information to attract qualified recruits 
• Discuss how to meet the demands of younger generations for work-life balance, mental health resources, and more 
• Explore outside-the-box ideas for finding qualified candidates 

Networking Break

Enjoy snacks and refreshments while mingling with other attendees, included in your registration! 

Sample Menu (subject to change): 
Coffee (regular & decaf), hot tea, assorted soft drinks, sparkling water, assorted energy and granola bars, & fresh fruit 

Session to be announced

Networking Lunch

Join us for a gourmet lunch while networking with peers, included in your registration! 

Farmers Market Buffet (sample menu – subject to change) 
Salad, orzo pasta salad, meatloaf, fried chicken, rolls, macaroni and cheese, rainbow carrots, s’mores cookies, strawberry cheesecake truffle, hot tea, regular and decaf coffee 

Roundtable Discussions: Idea Sharing with Similar Departments

• Join other agencies of similar size to discuss recruitment and retention ideas you’ve tried 
• Explore what’s worked and what hasn’t 
• Enjoy a deeper level of networking and take advantage of the vast experiences of your fellow attendees  

Facilitators: 

Nikki Woodrow, Sergeant, Pre-Employment and Recruiting 
Wichita Police Department 

Mike Boward, Sergeant, Personnel and Training Unit 
Fort Collins Police Department 

Strengthening Retention and Resilience Through Wellness Programs

• Review the importance of providing mental health and wellness resources and how that will positively impact your retention rate 
• Learn about resources you can offer officers to keep them safe and healthy 
• Get actionable strategies for assessing your department’s needs and implementing a wellness program that truly meets them 

Katie Carlson, Director of Wellness Initiatives 
Marion County Sheriff’s Office 

Networking Break

Enjoy snacks and refreshments while mingling with other attendees, included in your registration! 

Sample Menu (subject to change): 
Assorted soft drinks, sparkling water, assorted chips and pretzels, freshly popped popcorn, & fresh fruit 

Time for a Change? Successfully Implementing Policy Reforms That Aid Recruitment and Retention

• Discuss the importance of reviewing policies and considering possible changes to increase the number of qualified candidates without lowering standards 
• Explore policies that may be outdated, such as tattoo and hair restrictions 
• Hear real-life stories of how agencies got buy-in at all levels to make difficult changes that made a difference in their recruitment or retention efforts 

Jesse Holt, Detective, Background Investigations Unit 
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department 

Mike Boward, Sergeant, Personnel and Training Unit 
Fort Collins Police Department 

Effective Use of Social Media and Other Online Tools to Enhance Recruitment Efforts

• Explore strategies for recruiting via social media and online advertising 
• Understand how to work with media companies to reach your target audience 
• Get tips for avoiding the pitfalls of online recruiting, such as handling negative comment

Closing Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs: 

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

Tracie Keesee
Associate Professor 
University of Virginia 
Co-founder
Center for Policing Equity 

Networking Cocktail Reception

Enjoy a hosted premium bar with craft cocktails, premium beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks, and sparkling water. A selection of bite sized hors d'oeuvres, both hot and cold, will complement your drink – all included in your registration! 

Information Desk Open

Stop by the Information Desk to check in for the event, pick up your conference badge, ask questions, and get all the details you need. The FRA team is here to help make your experience smooth and enjoyable! 

Networking Breakfast

Join us for a hot breakfast while networking with peers, included in your registration! 

Traditional Breakfast Buffet (sample menu - subject to change)
Cage-free scrambled eggs, hominy grits, local smoked bacon, freshly made chicken apple sausage, crispy smashed potatoes, local and seasonally inspired sliced and whole fruit, chef’s selection fresh-baked pastries, yogurt parfaits, selection of chilled juices, hot tea, regular and decaf coffee 

Opening Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs: 

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

Tracie Keesee
Associate Professor 
University of Virginia 
Co-founder
Center for Policing Equity 

Recruiting Specific Populations to Better Serve Your Community

• Learn how to build relationships with specific groups that make up a large percentage of the population you serve 
• Explore techniques to recruit your desired demographic 
• Identify ways to meet potential candidates through such initiatives as holding special events and attending existing community events 

Mike Crawford, Lieutenant, Recruitment and Training Division  
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office 

Brisa Daniel, Hiring and Recruitment Coordinator 
Surprise Police Department 

Developing an Effective Mentorship Program to Improve Officer Retention

• Discuss the importance of providing guidance and support for new officers, even after they’ve completed training 
• Explore the elements of an effective mentorship program 
• Gain insights into how to train experienced officers to become good mentors 

Networking Break

Enjoy snacks and refreshments while mingling with other attendees, included in your registration! 

Sample Menu (subject to change): 
Coffee (regular & decaf), hot tea, assorted soft drinks, sparkling water, assorted energy and granola bars, & fresh fruit 

Using Data to Take Your Recruitment Strategy to the Next Level

• Identify data sets that are valuable to your recruitment efforts 
• Explore how to gather and analyze data to determine what’s working and where improvements are needed 
• Learn how to build an annual recruitment plan based on solid data analysis 

Kimberly Maki, Recruitment and Retention Officer 
Washington State Patrol 

Networking Lunch

Join us for a gourmet lunch while networking with peers, included in your registration! 

The Hill Buffet (sample menu – subject to change) 
Salad, marinated artichoke and tomato salad, chicken piccata, herb-crusted whitefish, orecchiette, grilled ratatouille, rosemary focaccia bread, tiramisu, cannoli, hot tea, decaf and regular coffee 

Applicant Tracking Made Easy: Leveraging Technology to Increase Efficiencies

• Learn how agencies are using technology to more easily track their applicants throughout the process 
• Discover the various features that are available to make your life easier 
• Get tips for evaluating and implementing the product that is best for your agency and your budget 

Jared Smith, Senior Officer, Training and Personnel 
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department 

Strategies for Retaining New Hires Throughout Academy and Field Training

• Hear about an agency’s pre-hire program to get new hires started before they go to the academy 
• Discover ways to partner new hires with mentors to provide support throughout the training process 
• Understand the importance of “stay” interviews for gaining valuable insights on retaining new recruits and identifying strengths and weaknesses in your program 

Anton Maltby, Deputy 
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office 

Eric Barthel, Director of Training and Development 
Minnesota State Patrol 

Closing Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs: 

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

Tracie Keesee
Associate Professor 
University of Virginia 
Co-founder
Center for Policing Equity