News from ILEETA: Starting before it starts

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Related P1TV: Ed Nowicki: ILEETA

Related Articles:  P1 First Person: Trainers are the "Maytag Repairmen" of Law Enforcement Return to the News from ILEETA 2009 Special Section

Opening ceremonies for the 2009 International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Conference isn’t until Wednesday, but already ILEETA has hosted two solid days of intense, interactive law enforcement training at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL. I arrived on Monday and spent a few minutes watching a legion of volunteers fill 800 conference bags with a wealth of material and some great give a ways before checking in and receiving my instructor’s material. This is my first time teaching at ILEETA and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity. ILEETA is where the trainers are also the students, and it is both humbling and exciting to stand before your peers as a presenter.

As I walked around the conference area, greeting old friends and making a few new ones, I began to remember just how big ILEETA is and when you’re this big you have to be organized. The conference manual is nearly 100 pages and offers information ranging from successful networking to where to order the best pizza, which in Chicago is a really big deal! Ed Nowicki, a former Chicago cop, takes pride in his native city and he makes sure that attendees have the chance to discover all that the Windy City has to offer. The first day of ILEETA 2009 ended with clusters of trainers gathered throughout the conference area, renewing their friendships and sharing ideas long into the night.

Tuesday morning began with the Police One TV crew hitting the vendor hall and the training rooms, finding great training and information segments. We interviewed “Coach” Bob Lindsay about “Winning and Surviving Against Fear.” Coach helps officers recognize the fears they may experience and how to successfully overcome them. Wayne Hoover of Wicklander-Zulowski talked to us about using non-confrontational interview techniques to gain confessions in cases involving multiple crimes committed by one offender. Fitness Specialist Jeff Martone showed us a few techniques from his Superior High Output Training (“SHOT”) program that will help virtually anyone gain and maintain an edge in their fitness routine.

Dave Smith interviewed Officer Danny Vaughan (ret.) of the Houston Police Department who, in 1993 was shot four times point blank in the face with a handgun. Danny now teaches police officers to never give up the fight.

I spent some time talking with trainer extraordinaire Geoff Perrin of the Swanson Tactical Training Center near Salt Lake City, Utah. Geoff, a native of England, offered excellent insight into the many issues facing law enforcement throughout the world.

Tomorrow is the “official” opening day of the 2009 ILEETA conference and it promises to be another great day.

Check back for more news from ILEETA...