Symposium Agenda

Sunday Sept. 28: Early-Bird Extras

7 a.m. – 6 p.m.Symposium Registration

Indigo Bay Registration Booth

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.mEarly-Bird Workshops

TRACK 1: VIRTUAL REALITY (IMMERSIVE SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING) INSTRUCTOR
Workshop 1 (8 a.m.-5:15 p.m.)
Boxed Lunch Provided (12:15-1 p.m.)

TRACK 2: CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING (CPT) – MANDATORY UPDATES
Workshop 2 | Use of Force (8:45-11:45 a.m.)
Workshop 3 | Arrest, Search & Seizure (Noon-1 p.m.)
Boxed Lunch Provided (12:15-1 p.m.)
Workshop 4 | Legal Updates (1:15-3:15 p.m.)
Workshop 5 | Ethics Law (3:30-5:30 p.m.)

TRACK 3: CPT INSTRUCTIONAL SKILLS
Workshop 6 (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Lunch on Your Own (Noon-12:30 p.m.)

TRACK 4: SCHOOL COMMANDERS
Workshop 7 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

1 – 4 p.m.Career Fair

Kalahari Ballroom

3 – 7 p.m.Welcome Reception & Networking Opportunity: Exhibit Hall & VR Demo

Indigo Bay/Foyers

Monday, Sept. 29

6:45 – 7:45 a.m.Symposium Registration & Buffet Breakfast

Registration: Indigo Bay Registration Booth
Breakfast: Kalahari Ballroom

7 – 7:30 a.m.2025 LETS Welcome and Opening Remarks

Kalahari Ballroom

7:45 – 9:45 a.m.Breakout Session 1

Workshop 8 | Pink Slip Issued on Runway Drive – VR Scenario Training
Workshop 9 | Enhancing Field Training Officers
Workshop 10.1 | Qualification Officer, Part 1 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)
Workshop 11 | Warrant Drafting and Execution for Digital Evidence
Workshop 12.1 | Policies & Procedures – Why Do They Matter? Part 1 of 2
Workshop 13 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness
Workshop 14.1 | Beyond the Ticket – Criminal Interdiction, Part 1 of 2
Workshop 15 | An Overview: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections’ Security Threat Groups

9:45 – 10 a.m.Break

10 a.m. – noonBreakout Session 2

Workshop 10.2 | Qualification Officer, Part 2 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)
Workshop 12.2 | Policies & Procedures – Why Do They Matter? Part 2 of 2
Workshop 14.2 | Beyond the Ticket – Criminal Interdiction, Part 2 of 2
Workshop 16 | Domestic Violence on Oak Street – VR Scenario Training
Workshop 17 | Enhancing Field Training Officers
Workshop 18 | Confronting Emerging Digital Threats: From Nihilistic Accelerationism to Cryptocurrency Fraud – A Joint FBI-Law Enforcement Response
Workshop 19 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness
Workshop 20 | Cell Extraction Response Team (CERT) for Corrections

Noon – 2 p.m.Lunch

Hors d’oeuvres (Indigo Bay)

Noon – 6 p.m.Exhibit Hall

Indigo Bay/Foyers

Noon – 6 p.m.VR Demo

Indigo Bay

Noon – 6 p.m.MILO Demo

Banyan

1 – 2:30 p.m.Critical Incident Debrief

Workshop 21 | Uvalde, Texas: Lessons Learned from the Critical Incident Review – Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.Break

2:45 – 4:15 p.m.Critical Incident Debrief

Workshop 22 | Officer Involved Shooting – What to Expect

4:15 – 4:30 p.m.Break

4:30 – 6 p.m.Critical Incident Debrief

Workshop 23 | Crisis on Bourbon Street: Lessons in Multi-agency Response from the New Orleans Attack

7:30 p.m. – midnightNFL Watch Party

Baobob Social & Grand Hall

Tuesday Sept. 30

6:45 – 7:45 a.m.Symposium Registration & Continental Breakfast

Registration: Indigo Bay Registration Booth
Breakfast: Kalahari Ballroom

7:45 – 9:45 a.m.Breakout Session 3

Workshop 24 | Shots Fired at C.W. High – VR Scenario Training
Workshop 25 | Supervising the FTO Program
Workshop 26 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)
Workshop 27 | Writing Search Warrants
Workshop 28 | Supervisor’s Guide to Employee Rights
Workshop 29 | Public Records and Law Enforcement
Workshop 30.1 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 1 of 2
Workshop 31 | Current Local Jail Operations in Ohio – a Discussion
Workshop 32.1 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 1 of 2

9:45 – 10 a.m.Break

10 a.m. – noonBreakout Session 4

Workshop 30.2 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 2 of 2
Workshop 32.2 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 2 of 2
Workshop 33 | Jumper on High Plains Bridge – VR Scenario Training
Workshop 34 | Personal Wellness & Self-Care
Workshop 35 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)
Workshop 36 | Pathway to the Search Warrant: A Practical Guide for Patrol Officers
Workshop 37 | Campus Extremism and Hamas in the U.S.
Workshop 38 | Victim Sensitivity and Victim Rights
Workshop 39 | Lake County SO Public Training Facility – Planning, Construction, Operations and Training

Noon – 1 p.m.Lunch

Kalahari Ballroom

1 – 2:15 p.m.Awards Banquet

Kalahari Ballroom

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.Break

2:30 – 5 p.m.Critical Incident Debrief

Workshop 40 | Debrief and Lessons Learned – Marjory Stoneman Douglas Active Shooter

Debrief Presenters

Nazmia Comrie Senior Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services

Nazmia E.A. Comrie is a sociologist specializing in policing assistance and reform for the U.S. Department of Justice. As a program manager for the Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) Technical Assistance Center and CRI: Critical Response, she leads the development, implementation, and delivery of technical assistance to state, local, tribal, campus, and territorial law enforcement agencies nationwide. Comrie has managed programs focused on police reform, mass demonstrations, agency safety and wellness, as well as initiatives to combat human trafficking, hate crimes, and interpersonal violence. She has written and co-written numerous publications on these critical issues, including the Critical Incident Review: Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School and Building Stronger, Safer Communities: A guide for law enforcement and community partners to prevent and respond to hate crimes. Additionally, she played a significant role in After-Action Assessment of the Police Response to the August 2014 Demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, published in 2015. Comrie’s contributions have earned her prestigious national recognition, including the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service (2025) for her work on the Critical Incident Review and the Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award (2022) for her work as part of the United Against Hate Program Team. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester and a master’s degree in criminal justice from University at Albany, where her research focused on homicides, wrongful convictions, community policing, and gangs.

Chris Cornwell Administrative Investigator, Ohio Department of Commerce’s Liquor Control Division

While working for the Dayton Police Department, Chris Cornwell was shot in the line of duty and involved in two fatal shootings – so he knows firsthand that any officer who has to fire a weapon doesn’t walk away from the incident unscathed. He shares his personal experiences and the effects they’ve had on his life as part of the critical incident debrief “Officer Involved Shooting – What to Expect.” Cornwell started his law enforcement career in 2002 in Dayton, working variously for Patrol Operations, the Detective Section (Homicide), CIRGV (the gang unit), and SWAT before medically retiring in 2011. He worked for two years as a driver’s license examiner for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, then moved to the Ohio Department of Commerce in 2014. As an Administrative Investigator for the department’s Liquor Control Division, Cornwell investigates false ownership of liquor permits and conducts compliance inspections, among other duties. He also serves as the law enforcement representative for HOP Munitions.

Anne Kirkpatrick Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department

Anne Kirkpatrick is one of the most tenured police executives in the country, with more than 35 years of policing experience, including 20 years as a Police Chief. The native of Memphis, Tennessee, has a proven track record across a diverse number of jurisdictions of transforming police departments and reducing violent crime. She most recently served as Police Chief in Oakland, California, where she implemented a significant cultural change that led to increased police accountability and transparency, improved procedural justice, and equity-based decision-making. This cultural shift coincided with a 20-year-low homicide rate and a decrease in nonfatal shootings during her tenure. Prior to her tenure in Oakland, Kirkpatrick served as Bureau Chief in Chicago, where she was the liaison to the U.S. Department of Justice while the Chicago Police Department was under investigation for patterns and practice of civil-rights violations, resulting in a consent decree. She also served as Police Chief in the cities of Ellensburg, Federal Way and Spokane, all in the state of Washington, and served as Undersheriff of the King County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to executive leadership experience, Kirkpatrick is a National Instructor for the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Association’s Leadership Training Program, teaching on topics that include bias and diversity, emotional intelligence, and leading generations.

Mark Kollar Assistant Superintendent, Ohio BCI

Mark Kollar’s law enforcement career has spanned over three decades with him currently serving as the assistant superintendent of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the investigative arm of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. In that capacity, he assists the superintendent in leading all functions of the agency, to include criminal investigations, crime laboratory operations, OHLEG, and the state’s criminal record repository. Throughout the latter portion of his career, an emphasis has been on investigating and supervising officer-involved critical incident investigations, to include shootings, in-custody deaths, and use-of-force investigations. Mark has authored numerous publications including a book published by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office titled, “Best Practices for Investigating an Officer-Involved Critical Incident.” He serves as a national instructor on use of force and speaks at numerous law enforcement conferences. He holds a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy session #285.

James Lowe Deputy Attorney General, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

James Lowe is a seasoned legal professional with more than three decades of experience in prosecution and law enforcement oversight. He spent 28 years with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, beginning as a Senior Prosecutor in the Juvenile Division before joining the Gang Unit, where he later became Director. He concluded his tenure as First Assistant in charge of the Criminal Division. During his time with Franklin County, Lowe presented more than 75 officer-involved critical incidents and tried more than 100 cases. After leaving the Prosecutor’s Office, he joined the Attorney General’s Office as Chief Counsel for the Special Prosecution Section. He currently serves as the Deputy Attorney General for Law Enforcement, leveraging his extensive expertise to advance justice and public safety.

Bradley McKeone Deputy City Manager, Coral Springs, Florida; retired Chief of Police, Coral Springs Police Department

A longtime resident of Coral Springs, Florida, Bradley McKeone was promoted to Deputy City Manager in December 2024. He oversees the divisions of Parks and Recreation, Community Engagement, Emergency Preparedness, and Police and Fire Operations. McKeone’s professional career began in 1999, when he was hired as Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer by the Coral Springs Police Department. In 2005, he became an Investigator in the Vice, Intelligence, and Narcotics Unit; he was assigned to the Fort Lauderdale District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration and served as a K-9 handler. McKeone rose through the ranks, serving variously as a sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before being promoted to Deputy Chief and, in 2022, Chief of Police. He also served as the executive officer for the SWAT team. Under McKeone’s leadership, the department gained significant recognition. He won an Emmy Award for the innovative Traffic Thursdays series, which highlighted the city’s efforts to educate and enforce traffic laws and yielded widespread community engagement. McKeone holds numerous degrees, certifications, and honors – including a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University. He also is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course and the prestigious FBI National Academy Program. Among his accolades are awards for Exceptional Police Initiative, Team Citations and, in 2008, Officer of the Year.

Brad Mock Chief of Police, Coral Springs Police Department

On April 4, 2025, Brad Mock was sworn in as Police Chief of the Coral Springs Police Department, whose 225 officers and 100 civilian staff members serve a community of 135,000 residents. Mock strives to maintain the highest standards of public- safety service, which includes expanding advanced technology tools such as the Real Time Crime Center, continuing to prioritize school safety, recruiting and retaining the best officers and other personnel, and further facilitating key partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. He also aims to maintain a high level of transparency, improve response times, and partner with the business community to improve safety and surveillance citywide. Mock joined the Coral Springs Police Department in 1998 as a Patrol Officer before moving six years later to the Tactical and Gang Unit. In 2007, he was promoted to Sergeant, supervising Patrol, the Tactical and Gang Unit, and the K-9 Unit. Later, as a Lieutenant and then a Captain, he oversaw Special Operations, Criminal Investigations, and SWAT, serving as Commander for a decade. Mock’s dedication to modernizing law enforcement has been a cornerstone of his career. He has championed the implementation of advanced crimefighting technologies, such as enhanced body-camera systems, and initiatives such as Project Blue Shield, which allows the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) to monitor activities through a shared camera system. His collaborative approach has resulted in key partnerships with the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Broward Sheriff’s Office, emphasizing his belief in a unified approach to public safety. A Coral Springs resident since 1984, Mock attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Florida Atlantic University and graduated from the FBI National Academy. In addition, he is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association

Katherine Platoni Psy.D., DAAPM, FAIS, Clinical Psychologist, Colonel (retired) U.S. Army, Dayton SWAT

Dr. Kathy Platoni has been a practicing clinical psychologist for 43 years and currently maintains her private practice in Centerville, Ohio. In service of her country and as an Army Reserve clinical psychologist, she has deployed on four occasions during wartime – most recently to the combat theater of Afghanistan (from 2009 through late 2010) with the 467th Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dr. Platoni has a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a master’s in education from the University of Miami, and a doctorate in psychology from the School of Professional Psychology of Nova University (now Nova Southeastern University) in Davie, Florida. During her four decades of both active and Army Reserve status -- including a six-month tour of duty during Operation Desert Storm – she developed combat stress control, debriefings, and crisis-management programs used throughout the U.S. Army. She retired from the Army with the rank of Colonel in October 2013. Dr. Platoni is a skilled hypnotherapist who possesses expertise in the sub-specialty areas of behavioral medicine and the treatment of chronic pain and chronic, debilitating, and terminal illnesses. She is in the process of completing a series of scholarly articles on this subject and has been published in many professional and lay journals on topics relating to Gulf War Syndrome, the psychological aftermath of the events of 9/11, and professional/medical ethics. She has also co-written and edited two landmark books on war trauma. She was awarded Diplomate status by the American Academy of Pain Management and holds an appointment as a fellow of the American Institute of Stress. She was awarded distinguished membership in the Institute of Traumatic Stress Board of Scientific and Professional Advisors. In addition, she holds professional memberships in the Ohio Psychological Association, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, the Dayton Area Psychological Association, and International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Since the 9/11 tragedy and attacks on the United States, Dr. Platoni twice voluntarily deployed to New York City to provide debriefing services (disaster mental health and critical incident stress) to members of the New York City Police Department. In 2017, she deployed to hurricane-ravaged Florida with the American Red Cross to provide similar services and, in 2019, in support of tornado relief in the aftermath of 15 tornadoes that devastated part of southwestern Ohio, where she resides. She currently serves as the Dayton Police Department SWAT psychologist and mental health adviser to the Dayton Hostage Negotiation Team. As a nationally renowned expert in the treatment of PTSD, Dr. Platoni has been featured by numerous news outlets and trade publications, including Fox News, CNN, USA Today, Newsweek, US News & World Report, The Washington Post, NPR Radio, Stars and Stripes and others.

Nicole Wannemacher General Counsel, Fraternal Order of Police

Nicole Wannemacher is a partner in the law firm of Harshman Wannemacher Tipton & Lipperman. She also serves as General Counsel to the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge #9, which represents sworn members of law enforcement from 28 agencies in central Ohio. Throughout her career, she has represented officers in hundreds of critical incidents and use-of-force cases. She also has extensive experience in collective bargaining, fact-finding, and arbitration. Wannemacher began practicing in Ohio in 2004 after graduating from Capital University Law School. In addition to the Supreme Court of Ohio, she is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Workshop Presenters

Jeffrey Belle Deputy and Training Coordinator, Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Jeffrey Belle joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff in 2004 and the next year was appointed Rangemaster, overseeing the firearms program. He served as a Hostage Negotiator for the Lake County Regional SWAT team before being reassigned in 2007 to the Sniper element. In 2013, he moved to the Detective Bureau, working in the Felony Crimes Division and, later, the Narcotics Division, where he helped form the Lake County Heroin Task Force. When Sheriff Leonbruno took office in 2022, Belle was named to coordinate the planning and construction of the Public Service Training Facility. Since the successful completion of this assignment, he has worked as a Training Coordinator at the facility, overseeing operations, scheduling classes and bringing in high-quality training for Lake County law enforcement officers. Belle began his law enforcement career with the Hunting Valley Police Department, serving as a Patrol Officer and then a Patrol Sergeant. He has attended the Police Executive Leadership College and is an OPOTA Firearms Instructor, teaching in-service officers and working in the Firearms Division of the Basic Police Academy at Lakeland Community College.

Jane Bryan BSN, RN, SANE-A, Forensic Nurse Examiner, Assistant Nurse Manager for the Cleveland Clinic’s Forensic Unit; President-elect of the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses

Jane Bryan is an advocate for laws that protect people against violence. She has worked as a forensic nurse/sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) at various hospitals and is SANE-A-certified. She currently is the Assistant Nurse Manager for the Forensic Unit of Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital. She has testified before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee and the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee in support of laws that protect Ohioans against violence. Representing the Cleveland Clinic PATH Center, she advocated for eliminating the statute of limitations for rape. She also testified on behalf of the Ohio chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses in support of House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 90, aimed at helping victims of strangulation and domestic violence.

Heather Buchanan Director of Open Government, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

Heather Buchanan manages the Attorney General’s Public Records Unit and oversees training, education, and outreach related to Ohio’s Sunshine Laws, including the three-hour Sunshine Laws Certification Training for Elected Officials. She coordinates and offers advice on internal responses to public-records requests as well as mediation and litigation of public-records complaints. She also counsels state clients on compliance with the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act, and provides non-legal assistance and outreach to constituents and other public offices. Buchanan joined the Attorney General’s Office in July 2016 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Constitutional Offices Section. She previously served as counsel at a Columbus firm focusing on civil litigation defense work and as an associate at a large global law firm in Philadelphia focusing on insurance coverage defense. She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia. Buchanan graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Lara Burns Head of Terrorism Research, George Washington University’s Program on Extremism

Lara Burns is a distinguished attorney and retired federal agent with more than 23 years of experience leading teams in complex international terrorism investigations. At the outset of her career as an FBI Special Agent, she led the Department of Justice’s largest terrorism financing investigation and prosecution, United States v. Holy Land Foundation, et al – which led to the conviction of some of Hamas’ top fundraisers in the United States. She was later chosen to serve as an FBI Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the NDTX-Dallas office, assigned to the National Security Section, where she litigated a variety of federal criminal cases. In 2015, she was appointed an FBI Supervisory Special Agent and the International Terrorism Program Coordinator for the counterterrorism program in the FBI’s Dallas office. In that capacity, she led investigations and prosecutions that spanned the globe. She was also an FBI instructor for most of her career, teaching federal, state, local, and foreign governments about terrorism financing, money laundering, and interview techniques. She retired from the FBI in April 2023 and worked as a cyber-security researcher in the private sector until she joined the Program on Extremism in May 2024.

Richard Butsko Assistant Executive Director, OPOTA

Richard Butsko spent four years on active duty in the Marine Corps before entering law enforcement. He served 29 years with the Grove City Division of Police, including stints as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, Special Response Team member and every supervisory rank, including Police Chief. He has completed the Law Enforcement Foundation leadership trilogy – STEP, PELC, and CLEE and has a bachelor’s degree in public safety management and leadership, and a master’s degree in public administration. Butsko also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Melissa Carney Sergeant, Professional Standards and Training, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office

A seasoned law enforcement officer, Melissa Carney has worked for the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office for more than 26 years, holding leadership roles across multiple divisions, including Corrections, Dispatch, Field Operations, Professional Standards, and Training. Carney serves as both the OPOTA Corrections and Law Enforcement Academy Commander and brings extensive instructional experience as an OPOTA Regional Training Instructor, Consortium Instructor, and adjunct instructor at Owens Community College. Her expertise includes crisis negotiation, emergency response, tactical operations, and law enforcement education. She is also an active member of several leading tactical and emergency medical organizations.

Steven Click Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of First Responder Wellness

Before taking his current position with the Department of Public Safety, Steven M. Click served as the First Responder Liaison for Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. He is retired (as a lieutenant) from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, where he served for 36 years, completing his career assigned to the patrol’s Office of Personnel / Ohio ASSIST program. Click has been involved in peer support since 1992 and oversaw the Highway Patrol’s Members Assistance Team from its inception in 2002. He was twice deployed to New York City after the 9/11 attacks to work with the NYPD’s peer support program. He helped bring the Post Critical Incident Seminars to Ohio and has been utilized as a peer in Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas. Click has a bachelor’s degree in public-safety management from Franklin University, where he minored in leadership and public relations. He also is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Staff & Command. He is trained in both group and individual peer support by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and is certified in Question, Pursued & Refer (QPR) and as Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Aaron Coey Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Since joining OPOTA as an instructor in 2011, Aaron Coey has researched, written about, and taught a variety of subjects for basic, in-service and advanced training courses. He specializes in topics related to use of force, including subject control, firearms, tactics, less-lethal tools and scenario-based training. Aaron began his law enforcement career in 2001 as an officer in small-town north central Ohio, later becoming a deputy for a medium-sized sheriff’s office in central Ohio. He has experience in Corrections, Patrol and Training. Aaron has undergraduate degrees in business and criminal justice from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Tiffin University. As a law enforcement practitioner with much respect for academia, Aaron strives to bring a strong balance of educational theory and real-world practical application to every course he teaches.

John Cole Commander, Shaker Heights Police Department

John Cole began his law enforcement career in 1994 with the Cleveland Division of Police. While serving as a Patrolman, he was admitted to the practice of law and took a leave to serve as a Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney. He returned to police work, earned promotions and was selected for assignments in the Training Section, the Office of the Chief of Police, Internal Affairs Unit, and the Special Victims Section. In 2011, he accepted employment as Commander within the Shaker Heights Police Department, overseeing administrative operations. In 2015, all investigations were re-organized under his command. His leadership and management skills span the areas of accreditation, community engagement, internal affairs, inspections, investigations, jail operations, labor relations, media relations, property, public records, recruitment, risk management and training. In 2024, he was appointed to oversee Uniformed Operations. Commander Cole bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree. He is a Certified Law Enforcement Professional and graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has served as an Instructor at the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, Ohio School Resource Officer’s Association, Cleveland Division of Police Training Academy and Shaker Heights Police Department In-Service. He holds a professional membership with the Ohio State Bar Association, is a certified Accreditation Manager, and an Assessor with the Ohio Collaborative. He also volunteers with Cleveland Legal Aid.

Melissa Day Senior Assistant Attorney General, OPOTA, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Melissa Day spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor, handling cases at both the city and county levels. She also has experience defending Ohio law enforcement agencies in federal court on use-of-force matters. Melissa has trained law enforcement officers statewide for the past 25 years and teaches justice studies and political science at Stark State College in North Canton.

Arturo “Art” DeLeon Director of Professional Standards, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)

Art DeLeon joined OPOTA as a Certification Specialist in 2022 and was recently promoted to Director of Professional Standards. Before joining the academy, he was a Probation Officer for felons and ran the Delaware County Drug Court, focusing on pretrial supervision.

Nadi Graham Sergeant, Ohio State Highway Patrol

Nadi Graham is a Sergeant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team, a full-time tactical unit that handles high-risk warrant service and responds to barricade situations, incident containment, and other high-risk situations. He has worked in law enforcement for 25 years – 18 of those with the SRT. For the past 16 years, Graham has specialized in Tactical Emergency Medical Support for the team.

Robert Graziano Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Robert Graziano is a retired military and law enforcement officer (Sergeant) who worked in Patrol, on the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force; in Metro Narcotics; as an academy instructor; in the Fugitive Apprehensions Unit; and, for 15 years, as a SWAT member. He arrived at OPOTA as an Advanced Training Instructor certified to teach numerous subjects, including semiauto pistol, advanced carbine/rifle, select fire/automatic rifle, distraction and chemical munitions, building searches and more.

Timothy Hornbeck Special Agent, FBI

Tim Hornbeck, an FBI Special Agent since 2019, is also assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Cleveland. He has worked on domestic terrorism cases, violent crime investigations, evidence response and collection, and matters involving weapons of mass destruction.

C. Randolph Keller Chief Prosecuting Attorney, City of Shaker Heights

Since 2003, Cleveland native Randy Keller has served as the Chief Prosecuting Attorney and an Assistant Law Director for the city of Shaker Heights. He instructs law enforcement agencies in the areas of new officer orientation, risk management, bias-based policing, citizen police encounters with a focus on race, and community policing. He has ruled on numerous use-of-deadly-force investigations and many internal affairs investigations, litigated more than 75 jury trials, and argued in the Ohio Supreme Court. Keller has two bachelor’s degrees — in economics and Africana studies — from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. After a brief stint working for Liberty Mutual Insurance in the Washington, D.C., area, he returned to Cleveland to attend Case Western Reserve University School of Law, earning his law degree in 1987.

Milan Kosanovich Special Agent, FBI

Milan R. Kosanovich has worked for the FBI for more than 17 years, specializing in white-collar criminal and cyber investigations. He has worked in the FBI’s field offices in New Haven, Connecticut, and Cleveland. While working as a supervisor in the Economic Crimes Unit at FBI headquarters, he served as a detaileé to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He has lectured and taught on behalf of the FBI in 11 countries on four continents. He currently serves on the Cyber Criminal Squad in Cleveland and founded the Midwestern Cryptocurrency Task Force. He also serves as a member of the nationwide Financial Crimes Response Team and Virtual Currency Response Team, and has been certified as a Hostage Negotiator. Kosanovich has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Cindy Kuhr Victim Specialist – Wellness Coordinator, L.S.W., M.Ed., R.A.S.S., C.C.R., Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Cindy Kuhr has worked in the field with crime victims for 30 years, currently in her role with BCI. She has served as a child abuse investigator and on a statewide child abuse rapid-response team. Likewise, she has been an abuse-prevention specialist and investigator for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and Director of Direct Services for the Ohio Victim Witness Association; she also is co-founder of the Ohio Crisis Response Team. Kuhr has worked with families and victims in all types of criminal cases. She has responded to multiple local, state and national tragedies, including the school shootings in Paducah, Kentucky; the shootings in the Oregon District in Dayton; and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In addition, Kuhr spent four years in a forensic unit that was responsible for identification of unidentified bodies and has served as a subject-matter expert for state and national organizations. She developed the curriculum “Under the Armor” for first responders and others working in the fields of criminal justice and health care. The curriculum addresses issues related to secondary exposure to trauma in the work environment. Kuhr has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wright State University and a master’s in counseling from the University of Dayton. She is licensed social worker in Ohio.

Frank Leonbruno Sheriff, Lake County Sheriff’s Office

With more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Frank Leonbruno has built a distinguished career focused on advancing the professionalism and operational excellence of law enforcement. He began his career in 1989 as a Corrections Officer and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Sergeant, Captain, and, ultimately, Jail Administrator — a position he held for 17 years. In that role, he led a team of 100 correctional officers and staff members, overseeing nearly 400 inmates and guiding the facility to become the first jail in the state certified as compliant with the Ohio Minimum Jail Standards. At various times during his career, Leonbruno served as the SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator and an instructor at corrections and police academies. In 2011, he was promoted to Chief Deputy, managing the divisions of Road Patrol, Court Security, Jail Operations, Communications/Dispatch, Administrative Support Services, SWAT, Marine Patrol, and CCW/SORN. As sheriff, he oversees a $17 million budget, leads a workforce of 250 employees, manages media relations and social-media platforms, directs contract negotiations, and implements advanced training and policy development. Leonbruno has a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy and a master’s in the administration of justice and security, and is a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy. He also completed the Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE) program, the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), and the National Institute of Corrections. He also was among the first Certified Jail Managers in the United States through the American Jail Association. For the past 27 years, Leonbruno has shared his experience and his passion for justice as an instructor at Lakeland Community College, teaching courses in criminal law, criminology, and crisis intervention.

Austin List Police Officer, Kettering Health Police Department

Austin List graduated from the Greene County Career Center Basic Peace Officer Training Academy in April 2017 and was immediately sworn in as a Resource Police Officer with the Kettering Health Police Department in suburban Dayton. He also is a Tactical Medic who works with multiple agencies, including the Dayton Police Department’s SWAT Team and the Regional SWAT Team of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. List is an OPOTA Instructor who teaches CPR, First Aid, and Critical Injury First Aid.

Alexis Miller Deputy Director of Curriculum, OPOTA

Alexis Miller leads the development and implementation of innovative, evidence-based training for law enforcement professionals throughout Ohio. A licensed educator since 2009, she began her teaching career at the Ohio Department of Youth Services and later taught for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, gaining extensive experience in correctional education. She joined OPOTA as a curriculum designer, playing a key role in modernizing training content, before stepping into her current leadership position. In addition to her work at OPOTA, Miller serves as a part-time adjunct professor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, continuing her commitment to advancing criminal justice education through thoughtful, student-centered instruction.

DJ Norris Security Threat Group & K9 Coordinator, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections

DJ Norris started his career with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections as a Parole Officer in the Columbus office in January 1995, serving in the Fugitive Unit and then the Gang Unit, where he supervised a caseload of high-risk gang members. In March 2003, he was asked to join an investigative team consisting of resources from both the Adult Parole Authority and the Office of Prisons to combat contraband being conveyed into Ohio's prison system, investigate released offenders involved in criminal activity, and prevent violent crime. In October 2012, Norris became the South STG Investigator for ODRC and, two years later, the Statewide STG Coordinator. In January 2020, he started overseeing the Narcotics K9 Program for the department.

Matthew Rahde Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Matthew Rahde joined OPOTA in 2024 as an Advanced Training Instructor. He started his law enforcement career in 2007 with the North Canton Police Department before moving in 2016 to the Dublin Police Department. Matt spent his entire agency career in Patrol, holding ancillary positions as a School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Crash Reconstructionist, Drone Operator, Bike Unit Member, Peer Support Member, Breacher and Sniper on SWAT, and Firearms and Tactics Instructor.

April Redick Lieutenant, Columbus Division of Police

April Redick began working for the Columbus Division of Police in late 2005, serving as a Patrol Officer for 13 years. During that time, she also served as a Field Training Officer, Peer Assistance Team member, Defensive Tactics Instructor and Advanced Tactics Instructor for women, and was a member of the Honor Guard. She was promoted to sergeant in 2018, serving in Patrol for three years before moving to the Wellness HQ Operations. In 2022, she became the Basic Training Probationary Sergeant, working closely with the division’s academy staff and Field Training Office. Redick has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Tiffin University. As a sergeant, she earned a master’s in business administration, with a specialization in human resource management, from Ashland University. In May 2024, she was promoted to Lieutenant, currently serving as Patrol Lieutenant for Zone 3, second shift.

Justin Root Special Agent Supervisor, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Unit

Before becoming supervisor of BCI’s Cyber Crime Unit, Justin Root served as a Special Agent in the unit, the computer crime detective for the Ohio State University Police Department, and a federally sworn special deputy U.S. Marshal on the FBI’s Cybercrime Task Force. While in private legal practice, Root co-chaired the cybersecurity and data privacy subpractice for the U.S. offices of an international law firm. He was previously a member of CyberOhio's Legal Cybersecurity Subcommittee, helping to draft Ohio’s Data Protection Act. He is a GIAC-certified Advanced Smartphone Forensic Examiner and was previously a GIAC-certified Computer Forensic Examiner, a Cellebrite Certified Operator, and a Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst. Root also is trained in cryptocurrency tracing and investigation.

Alexandria Ruden Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

Alexandria Ruden has been an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland since 1984. She serves on the advisory board of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services’ Family Violence Prevention Center and on the Supreme Court’s Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Subcommittee. She is a member of the Legal Committee for the National Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, the statewide Implementation Committee for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Cuyahoga County Domestic Violence Shelter Advisory Board, and the VAWA Grant Allocations Committee (for Cuyahoga County). She also educates others on issues that affect victims of violence, lecturing and training on the dynamics of domestic violence and the law and on safety-focused parenting plans in which domestic violence is present. As an expert in domestic-violence law, she co-wrote (with Judge Sherie Miday) Ohio Domestic Law for Thomson Reuters. She is routinely sought out by other legal professionals and often serves as a consultant on domestic-violence law to legislators, judicial officers, law enforcement officers and other professionals. She was a vital member of a team that helped to pass Ohio’s strangulation law.

Majel Savage Special Agent, FBI

Majel Savage, an FBI Special Agent with the Cleveland office, is currently assigned to the Domestic Terrorism Squad as part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. She has investigated (764) / COM type cases since 2023.

Dr. Brian Springer Professor and Interim Chair, Wright State University’s Department of Emergency Medicine

Dr. Brian Springer has been a full-time faculty member with the Wright State’s Department of Emergency Medicine since 2002 and has served as the university’s Director for Tactical and Law Enforcement Medicine since 2009. He oversees tactical medical training and operational medical support for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio. He is a subject-matter expert and adjunct instructor for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy who helped to create the Critical Injury First Aid curriculum taught to all Ohio cadets as part of Basic Peace Officer Training. Dr. Springer served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1988 to 1994 and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He attended medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas, then moved to the Dayton area for his emergency medicine residency and a sports medicine fellowship. He is the immediate-past Chair of the American College of Emergency Physicians Tactical and Law Enforcement Medicine Section, and was Medical Director for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association from 2013 to 2023. He is a member of the EMS Region III Regional Physicians Advisory Board, attending physician and police officer with Premier Health, medical director for the Kettering Fire Department and for the Dayton Fire Department’s Tactical EMS program, and Task Force Officer with FBI Cincinnati Division SWAT.

Sarah Shendy Lieutenant, Division of Public Safety at Case Western Reserve University

Sarah Shendy made history as the first known Arab American Muslim to achieve the rank of Police Lieutenant in Ohio. She has 17 years of law enforcement experience, including four as a training officer for OPOTA. She was among 16 people chosen in 2014 by then-Attorney General Mike DeWine to serve on a panel evaluating the training, certification, and advancement of Ohio peace officers. Six years later, she was appointed by Gov. DeWine as the first director of the Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. In 2021, she was named “Top Cop” by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and, the next year, received a 40 Under 40 Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2023, she was inducted into the National Arab American Museum and last year was among the Arab-America Foundation’s “40 Under 40,” which identifies Arab-Americans who have excelled in their profession. Shendy has both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.

Brett Simon Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Brett Simon specializes in delivering and coordinating advanced investigative training for Ohio’s peace officers. He also assists with OPOTA’s tactical and firearms instruction. Simon, a Marine Corps veteran, has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wright State University. He worked for 11 years for the Delaware Police Department as a third-shift patrol officer and, later, as a detective. He also spent seven years as an entry operator and sniper for the Delaware County Tactical Unit. His combined military and law enforcement experiences give him a practical, mission-focused perspective and a deep understanding of real-world operational demands. Simon is dedicated to equipping officers with the skills, mindset, and confidence needed for today’s complex policing environment.

Vernon P. Stanforth Sheriff, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

Vernon Stanforth has served as Sheriff of Fayette County since 1996. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Washington Court House Police Department. He is a former member of the board and former president of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, and he has chaired the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission since 2005, having originally been appointed to the commission in 2000. He also chairs the Ohio Jail Advisory Board, which establishes standards for county and municipal jails statewide.

Laura Suber Sergeant (retired), Columbus Division of Police; Civilian Training Coordinator, Reynoldsburg Police Department

Laura Suber began her law enforcement career in 1992 with the Columbus Division of Police. She served in Patrol for 10 years, primarily assigned to the city’s west side. Simultaneously, she worked as a Field Training Officer and a Defensive Tactics Instructor, was a member of the Honor; and served on various department committees. Suber was promoted to sergeant in 2002, remaining in Patrol for eight more years – primarily assigned to the Hilltop area on second shift. In 2010, she became the division’s Field Training Coordinator, assisting with the program’s overhaul. She spent eight years in this role before accepting a position managing events, including the Arnold Classic, Red, White & Boom, the Pride Parade, and the Nationwide Marathon. In 2020, she became the first female Recruit Training Sergeant, overseeing the basic academy training for 250 officers. Suber has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from The Ohio State University and was a founding member of the division's Peer Assistance Team. She retired from the division in July 2022 and was soon hired as the civilian Training Coordinator for the Reynoldsburg Police Department, where she has helped to revamp the department’s Field Training Program, develop an Officer in Charge Program, and restructure the police interview panel for officer candidates. She also is currently a member of the Metro Peer Assistance Team in Central Ohio.

Donald Ticel Training Coordinator, Lake County Sheriff’s Public Safety Training Facility

Donald Ticel joined the Painesville Police Department in Lake County in the fall of 1999. As a Patrol Officer, he was active in the department’s Field Training Program, instructing many new officers. He was assigned to the Detective Bureau in the fall of 2012, where he remained until his retirement in 2023. During his law enforcement career, he became a certified instructor in numerous firearms platforms and assisted with departmental training on firearms proficiencies, tactics, and active threat. He was a member of the Lake County Regional SWAT Team, initially assigned to entry. He rose through the team ranks, serving as a team Firearms Instructor, Lead firearms Instructor, Team Leader, and, eventually, Assistance Commander – a position he still holds. Since his retirement, Ticel has served as a Training Coordinator for the Lake County Sheriff’s Public Safety Training Facility. He is a founding member and an instructor for the Lake County Mass Casualty Drill Instructor Group, and he trains officers from many surrounding agencies. He has been assigned since 2018 to the U.S. Marshal’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Ryan Turner Officer, Hilliard Police Department

A native of the Hilliard area, Ryan Turner graduated from Hilliard Darby High School in 2003 and, two years later, completed the Columbus State Police Academy. He began his law enforcement career with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office in February 2007, then joined the Hilliard Division of Police about 18 months later. He is currently assigned to day-shift Patrol with ancillary duties that include Field Training Officer, Officer First Class, Police Mountain Bike Instructor, Traffic Stops Instructor, and Driving Instructor. Turner previously served on the department’s Crash Investigation team and Honor Guard and as a Drug Recognition Expert. He has been a part of the department’s Field Training Program for 12 years, assisting with the training of many new officers as well as program updates. Turner has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Columbus State Community College.

Charlie Vrugitz Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Charlie Vrugitz was hired by OPOTA in August 2023 for his driving-instruction skills and has recently taken on a key role in the VR training program. He spent 15 years as an Officer for the Columbus Division of Police and six years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. To broaden his expertise, he worked as a Law Enforcement Intelligence Analyst for Ohio Homeland Security. Vrugitz also has been a police consultant and stunt/precision driver for the film and television industries in California and New Mexico – a unique experience that makes him well-suited for his current assignment as a screenwriter and creator of scenario content for the VR program. He has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design and a master’s in legal studies from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Barry Wisecup Advanced Training Instructor, Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)

A 17-year law enforcement veteran, Barry Wisecup began working for OPOTA in 2023, specializing in training centered on virtual reality (immersive-based reality), active threats (SORAT), and building searches. He also coordinates multiple law enforcement trainings for the state of Ohio. Wisecup began his career in Greenville, Ohio, and soon moved to the Beavercreek Police Department, where he worked for 15 years. He has served as a SWAT Operator, an MRAP/Bearcat Driver, a Grenadier, a Patrol Officer and a School Resource/DARE Officer. A six-year Army veteran, Wisecup was twice deployed to Iraq. He has numerous certifications – as an Army Airborne Paratrooper, SWAT officer, Low-Level Flash Light Instructor, Lethal Impact Instructor, Distraction Device Instructor, Taser Instructor, VR Instructor, and more. He has a bachelor’s degree from Ashland University and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati – both in criminal justice.

Drew Wood Senior Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions Section, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

Senior AAG Drew Wood has taught Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses in trial practice – including Trial Practice Boot Camp for new prosecuting attorneys – for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Toledo Bar Association and Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He previously worked as a Senior Assistant Prosecutor in Lucas County. Wood graduated in 2008 from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.

Registration Information

$0.00

Workshops

LETS registration cannot be completed until you select the workshops that you would like to attend during the symposium. Some workshops consist of multiple parts that span more than one breakout session; when applicable, you MUST register for both or all parts. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you don’t want to attend any workshops during a particular Breakout Session, be sure to click the “I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session” box at the end of that set of workshops on the appropriate day.

Sunday

  • Workshop 1 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor

    Workshop 1 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor

    • Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)
    • Charles Vrugitz, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    Using virtual reality (VR), the Ohio Attorney General’s Office – led by OPOTA – is offering the next technological evolution in law enforcement training. VR scenarios allow officers to practice responding to and defusing potentially volatile situations using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. The immersive experience replicates real-life trauma, distractions, and emotional reactions, providing an invaluable opportunity for officers to hone their skills in a safe, controlled environment. The training scenarios cover mental health crises, domestic violence, school violence, the adolescent brain, suicide prevention, irate family members and other relevant topics that better prepare officers to handle complex, emotionally charged situations in the field.

    Training to become a Virtual Reality Instructor begins with these eight hours on Sunday (Workshop 1), continues with four hours of training on Monday (Workshops 8 and 16), and concludes with four hours of training on Tuesday (registrant’s choice of either Workshops 24 and 33 or Workshops 32.1 & 32.2). Completion of all 16 hours leads to VR instructor certification, qualifying graduates to instruct fellow officers in the VR training. Certified instructors are given access to VR goggles, lesson plans, and other training materials through one of OPOTA’s regional partners and academies.

    Registrants wishing to experience only the VR training scenarios can take any of the related Monday or Tuesday courses.

  • Workshop 2 | Use of Force

    Workshop 2 | Use of Force

    • Melissa Day, Senior Assistant Attorney General, OPOTA, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

    This workshop emphasizes the importance of lawful, compassionate, and medically informed policing to reduce the risk of in-custody deaths. It covers the legal and procedural guidelines governing police use of force, emphasizing constitutional rights, case law, and safety practices. The Fourth Amendment and key court rulings – including Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor – establish that force must be “objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances.” Concepts such as “diminished capacity,” as defined in Champion v. Outlook Nashville, reinforce the need for adjusted responses when dealing with individuals in crisis. Officers have a duty to provide first aid to pretrial detainees and must adhere to federal and state civil-rights laws. The workshop also addresses the risks associated with prone restraint – including possible cardiac arrest – especially during a medical and/or behavioral emergency. Best practices include safely controlling the subject, monitoring for signs of distress, quickly repositioning a subject, and coordinating with Emergency Medical Services.

  • Workshop 3 | Arrest, Search & Seizure: Fundamentals and New Developments

    Workshop 3 | Arrest, Search & Seizure: Fundamentals and New Developments

    • Drew Wood, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions Section, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

    This overview addresses seminal Fourth Amendment cases as well as new developments in search-and-seizure law. It reviews probable cause, the warrant requirement, warrant exceptions, Terry seizures, Terry searches, and reasonable suspicion, including relevant cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, Ohio Supreme Court and, if applicable, appellate courts. Also discussed are common pitfalls – as a way of ensuring that officers operate firmly within the law. Regarding new developments in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence, the workshop explores recent interpretations of fundamental doctrines, with an emphasis on developing areas of the law (such as search-warrant requirements for cellphones and other electronics).

  • Workshop 4 | Legal Updates

    Workshop 4 | Legal Updates

    • Jane Bryan, BSN, RN, SANE-A, Forensic Nurse Examiner, Assistant Nurse Manager for the Cleveland Clinic’s Forensic Unit; President-elect of the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses
    • Alexandria Ruden, Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

    The Medical and Legal Implications of Strangulation Injuries: Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of violence. This workshop examines the medical implications of strangulation, incorporating relevant statistics and the reasons that strangulation is so lethal. Also discussed are the legal implications, including Ohio’s new strangulation law, and significant legal challenges. The training focuses on handling strangulation cases in the context of relevant case law, exploring emerging practices, ways to address cases and save lives, and more.

  • Workshop 5 | Ethics Law

    Workshop 5 | Ethics Law

    • Sarah Shendy, Lieutenant, Division of Public Safety at Case Western Reserve University

    The Foundation for Excellence in Policing Ethics are crucial to policing. The conduct of peace officers both on and off duty reflects who they are as officers and human beings. This workshop defines ethical conduct and its role in police work, explores the four main areas of ethical misconduct, outlines ethical traits that communities expect from law enforcement officers, and addresses the ethics embedded in the oath of office. Other topics include relevant case law, the lethal triad, the Continuum of Compromise, and leadership's role in fostering an ethical work environment.

  • Workshop 6 | CPT Instructional Skills

    Workshop 6 | CPT Instructional Skills

    • Alexis Miller, Deputy Director of Curriculum, OPOTA

    Designed for peace officers who want to teach in-person CPT courses, this course qualifies a law enforcement officer with at least five years of experience to be listed as an instructor on CPT Pre-approval Applications. The course prepares future instructors to write lesson plans and teach courses in a law enforcement setting. Sample topics include instruction in the theories of adult learning, teaching techniques, lesson plan development, student learning objectives, facilitating learning, and evaluation and assessments.

  • Workshop 7 | School Commander Conference

    Workshop 7 | School Commander Conference

    • Arturo “Art” DeLeon, Director of Professional Standards, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)
    • Professional Standards staff

    This workshop details the OPOTA Portal as it currently exists as well as its future functionality for basic academy operations. Also covered are topics for conducting and overseeing an OPOTC Basic Training program.

Monday

Breakout Session 1 (7:45 - 9:45 a.m.)*

  • Workshop 8 | Pink Slip Issued on Runway Drive - VR Scenario Training

    Workshop 8 | Pink Slip Issued on Runway Drive - VR Scenario Training

    • Charles Vrugitz, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    This innovative workshop incorporates immersive virtual reality (VR) technology into law enforcement training. It encompasses situations involving mental-health crises, scene assessment, legal rights and more. Participants step into realistic, emotionally charged scenarios that replicate the stress, trauma, and distractions of real-world incidents — all within a safe, controlled environment. The VR experience allows officers to practice de-escalation techniques, crisis-management strategies, and effective communication. The training is ideal for officers looking to sharpen essential skills, build confidence, and improve outcomes in the field.

  • Workshop 9 | Enhancing Field Training Officers

    Workshop 9 | Enhancing Field Training Officers

    • Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
    • Ryan Turner, Officer, Hilliard Police Department

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 13 or Workshop 19 – Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness.

    Field Training Officers (FTOs) can use virtual reality to effectively enhance their training processes and build confidence in managing complex calls. VR allows them – through scenario debriefs – to articulate observations, highlight successes, and identify areas for improvement. It also offers valuable mental repetition, especially for call types that training officers may not have encountered firsthand, and is particularly useful during slow shifts or new-hire onboarding. The technology also supports the development of narrative and use-of-force report writing by simulating real-time documentation needs, such as those required for domestic violence incidents, in alignment with policy and legal standards. In addition, this course helps training officers become familiar with victim-related paperwork and victim rights, increasing their preparedness, efficiency, and confidence when handling similar situations in the field.

  • Workshop 10.1 | Qualification Officer, Part 1 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    Workshop 10.1 | Qualification Officer, Part 1 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    • Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    PREREQUISITE: Students must have completed the Semiautomatic Pistol Instructor Course prior to enrolling in this course.

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 10.2 (for a total of 4 hours). This course takes place off-site at the Lake Erie Arms facility. Participants must provide their own transportation.

    This four-hour workshop (Workshops 10.1 and 10.2 combined) explores firearms and range-safety procedures as well as the OPOTA RQT-2 target and associated scoring procedures. Attendees learn to score qualification targets for the semiautomatic pistol, revolver, police carbine/rifle, select fire weapons, and shotgun courses of fire. They also review mockups of qualifications and inspect actual targets to learn to properly read and score qualification targets for all OPOTA qualifications. Those who pass a test on the scoring procedures are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer. This course does not replace the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor.

  • Workshop 11 | Warrant Drafting and Execution for Digital Evidence

    Workshop 11 | Warrant Drafting and Execution for Digital Evidence

    • Justin Root, Special Agent Supervisor, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Unit

    Search warrants for digital evidence (both from seized devices and from online accounts) require considerations that differ from those relating to persons, places, or things. Challenges unique to digital evidence can often be mitigated through conscientious drafting, execution, and documentation of the search-warrant process. This workshop explains the search-warrant requirement, offers drafting and execution tips for digital evidence, and helps best position the case for legal challenges common to electronic evidence.

  • Workshop 12.1 | Policies & Procedures - Why Do They Matter? Part 1 of 2

    Workshop 12.1 | Policies & Procedures - Why Do They Matter? Part 1 of 2

    • Richard Butsko, Assistant Executive Director, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 12.2 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This four-hour introductory course (Workshops 12.1 and 12.2 combined) focuses on why police policies and procedures matter. Topics include the need for policies, the importance and consequences of the lack of sound policies; and reasons that policies are the foundation of all other leadership efforts. The course is suitable for command-level, mid-management and first-line supervisors as well as informal leaders interested in the foundational components of policies and procedures. This is a portion of the current OPOTA course "Introduction to Policy and Procedure."

  • Workshop 13 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness

    Workshop 13 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness

    • Aaron Coey, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 9 or 17 – Enhancing Field Training Officers.

    This workshop takes a different approach to explaining and teaching the use-of-force standard of “objective reasonableness.” It examines Graham v Connor (1989) and several other supporting cases and recommends use-of-force report writing that addresses several important legal considerations. The course ends with the standard being applied to several videos of real-life examples.

  • Workshop 14.1 | Beyond the Ticket - Criminal Interdiction, Part 1 of 2

    Workshop 14.1 | Beyond the Ticket - Criminal Interdiction, Part 1 of 2

    • Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 14.2 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This four-hour course (Workshops 14.1 and 14.2 combined) guides law enforcement officers through the critical process of conducting roadside interactions that may reveal criminal activity beyond routine traffic violations. Officers learn to identify behavioral indicators and subtle signs of criminal conduct during traffic stops. The workshop covers techniques for conducting thorough vehicle and occupant assessments and effective questioning, as well as intervention methods to enhance officer safety and investigative outcomes. Through real-world scenarios and practical exercises, participants gain the skills necessary to detect and disrupt drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other illicit behaviors, ultimately strengthening their proactive law enforcement.

  • Workshop 15 | An Overview: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections' Security Threat Groups

    Workshop 15 | An Overview: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections' Security Threat Groups

    • DJ Norris, Security Threat Group & K9 Coordinator, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections

    This workshop examines security threat groups (STGs) within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC), exploring current trends and emerging challenges associated with such groups and providing insight into their evolving tactics, affiliations, and effects on prison security. The training covers the major STGs identified within the Corrections Department, highlighting their structures, activities, and influence. It also addresses the methodologies and criteria used by ODRC to profile and identify STG members, enabling enhanced understanding of risk assessment and management practices. This comprehensive overview is essential for corrections staff, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals involved in rehabilitation, security, and inmate management.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

Breakout Session 2 (10 a.m. - noon)*

  • Workshop 10.2 | Qualification Officer, Part 2 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    Workshop 10.2 | Qualification Officer, Part 2 of 2 (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    • Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    PREREQUISITE: Students must have completed the Semiautomatic Pistol Instructor Course prior to enrolling in this course.

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 10.1 (for a total of 4 hours). This course takes place off-site at the Lake Erie Arms facility. Participants must provide their own transportation.

    This four-hour workshop (Workshops 10.1 and 10.2 combined) explores firearms and range-safety procedures as well as the OPOTA RQT-2 target and associated scoring procedures. Attendees learn to score qualification targets for the semiautomatic pistol, revolver, police carbine/rifle, select fire weapons, and shotgun courses of fire. They also review mockups of qualifications and inspect actual targets to learn to properly read and score qualification targets for all OPOTA qualifications. Those who pass a test on the scoring procedures are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer. This course does not replace the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor.

  • Workshop 12.2 | Policies & Procedures - Why Do They Matter? Part 2 of 2

    Workshop 12.2 | Policies & Procedures - Why Do They Matter? Part 2 of 2

    • Richard Butsko, Assistant Executive Director, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 12.1 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This four-hour introductory course (Workshops 12.1 and 12.2 combined) focuses on why police policies and procedures matter. Topics include the need for policies, the importance and consequences of the lack of sound policies; and reasons that policies are the foundation of all other leadership efforts. The course is suitable for command-level, mid-management and first-line supervisors as well as informal leaders interested in the foundational components of policies and procedures. This is a portion of the current OPOTA course "Introduction to Policy and Procedure."

  • Workshop 14.2 | Beyond the Ticket - Criminal Interdiction, Part 2 of 2

    Workshop 14.2 | Beyond the Ticket - Criminal Interdiction, Part 2 of 2

    • Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 14.1 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This four-hour course (Workshops 14.1 and 14.2 combined) guides law enforcement officers through the critical process of conducting roadside interactions that may reveal criminal activity beyond routine traffic violations. Officers learn to identify behavioral indicators and subtle signs of criminal conduct during traffic stops. The workshop covers techniques for conducting thorough vehicle and occupant assessments and effective questioning, as well as intervention methods to enhance officer safety and investigative outcomes. Through real-world scenarios and practical exercises, participants gain the skills necessary to detect and disrupt drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other illicit behaviors, ultimately strengthening their proactive law enforcement.

  • Workshop 16 | Domestic Violence on Oak Street - VR Scenario Training

    Workshop 16 | Domestic Violence on Oak Street - VR Scenario Training

    • Charles Vrugitz, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    This training encompasses situations involving domestic violence, the duty to intervene, and subject behavior analysis. The realistic, emotionally charged scenarios replicate the stress, trauma, and distractions of real-world incidents — all within a safe, controlled environment. The VR experience offers officers the chance to practice de-escalation techniques, crisis management strategies, and effective communication. This training is ideal for officers who want to hone essential skills, build confidence, and improve outcomes in the field.

  • Workshop 17 | Enhancing Field Training Officers

    Workshop 17 | Enhancing Field Training Officers

    • Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
    • Ryan Turner, Officer, Hilliard Police Department

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 13 or Workshop 19 – Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness.

    Field Training Officers (FTOs) can use virtual reality to effectively enhance their training processes and build confidence in managing complex calls. VR allows them – through scenario debriefs – to articulate observations, highlight successes, and identify areas for improvement. It also offers valuable mental repetition, especially for call types that training officers may not have encountered firsthand, and is particularly useful during slow shifts or new-hire onboarding. Virtual reality also supports the development of narrative and use-of-force report writing by simulating real-time documentation needs, such as those required for domestic violence incidents, in alignment with policy and legal standards. In addition, this workshop helps field training officers become familiar with victim-related paperwork and victim’s rights, increasing their preparedness, efficiency, and confidence when handling similar situations in the field.

  • Workshop 18 | Confronting Emerging Digital Threats: From Nihilistic Accelerationism to Cryptocurrency Fraud - A Joint FBI-Law Enforcement Response

    Workshop 18 | Confronting Emerging Digital Threats: From Nihilistic Accelerationism to Cryptocurrency Fraud - A Joint FBI-Law Enforcement Response

    NOTE: This workshop consists of two one-hour sessions presented back-to-back by the FBI.

    Session 1: Emerging Threats in Domestic Terrorism: Nihilistic Accelerationism
    • Majel Savage, Special Agent, FBI
    • Timothy Hornbeck, Special Agent, FBI

    This workshop defines “nihilistic accelerationism” and the ideology behind this emerging threat. Attendees learn about a dangerous online network of juveniles and the need for local and federal law enforcement to work together to combat the threat.

    Session 2: Operation Golden Sweep
    • Milan Kosanovich, Special Agent, FBI

    What information is most important to obtain from victims of cryptocurrency fraud? This session explains how cryptocurrency scams develop so that attendees can better understand what typically happens and who they would be dealing with overseas. It also includes a review of publicly available resources for an intake department to triage the complaint as well as an exploration of resources available from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. In addition, the session outlines the processes used to recoup funds for victims, such as requesting fee refunds from Bitcoin ATM operators and serving seizure warrants on overseas crypto exchanges for voluntary compliance. It concludes with a discussion of what goes into creating cryptocurrency wallets as well as pre-emptive conversations to have with local prosecutors and other officials now – before law enforcement has to tackle this issue in the moment.

  • Workshop 19 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness

    Workshop 19 | Use of Force: Formula for Reasonableness

    • Aaron Coey, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 9 or 17 – Enhancing Field Training Officers.

    This workshop takes a different approach to explaining and teaching the use-of-force standard of “objective reasonableness.” It examines Graham v Connor (1989) and several other supporting cases and recommends use-of-force report writing that addresses several important legal considerations. The course ends with the standard being applied to several videos of real-life examples.

  • Workshop 20 | Cell Extraction Response Team (CERT) for Corrections

    Workshop 20 | Cell Extraction Response Team (CERT) for Corrections

    • Melissa Carney, Sergeant, Professional Standards and Training, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office
    • Assisted by Lt. Javier Martinez, Corrections Officer Heather Greenwood, and Corrections Officer Lee Heckel

    This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the Cell Extraction Response Team (CERT), a specialized tactical unit within correctional facilities tasked with handling high-risk inmate situations. The session examines the structure, mission, and operational protocols of CERT, including its deployment during incidents involving violent or non-compliant inmates, barricades, riots, and hostage scenarios. Highlights include how CERT operates under a framework of strict procedures, intensive training, and coordinated team tactics. Emphasis is placed on the strategic use of de-escalation techniques, subject control, and non-lethal force options to resolve incidents effectively and ensure the safety of all involved. Corrections officers, facility administrators, and security professionals can all glean essential knowledge and tools for understanding and supporting CERT operations within their facility.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

  • Workshop 21 | Uvalde, Texas: Lessons Learned from the Critical Incident Review - Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School

    Workshop 21 | Uvalde, Texas: Lessons Learned from the Critical Incident Review - Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School

    • Nazmia Comrie, Senior Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services

    On May 24, 2022, an active shooter took the lives of 19 children and two staff members at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Simultaneously, he physically and/or mentally injured surviving teachers, students and staff members; families of victims; and the community at large. At the request of Uvalde leadership, the U.S. Department of Justice established the Critical Incident Review (CIR), an independent assessment of what happened that horrific day as well as the systems in place in the weeks leading up to May 24. The CIR was designed to provide information to those most affected by the tragedy and to build knowledge regarding how best to respond to mass violence. This examination of a high-profile mass shooting includes an incident timeline and a discussion of the CIR’s observations and recommendations, including tactics, leadership, incident command, coordination, pre-incident processes, and trauma and support services.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

  • Workshop 22 | Officer-Involved Shooting - What to Expect

    Workshop 22 | Officer-Involved Shooting - What to Expect

    • Mark Kollar, Assistant Superintendent, Ohio BCI
    • James Lowe, Deputy Attorney General, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
    • Katherine Platoni, Psy.D., DAAPM, FAIS, Clinical Psychologist, Colonel (retired) U.S. Army, Dayton SWAT
    • Chris Cornwell, Administrative Investigator, Ohio Department of Commerce’s Liquor Control Division
    • Nicole Wannemacher, General Counsel, Fraternal Order of Police

    This presentation offers a clear, straightforward explanation of what happens after an officer-involved shooting. Our panel of experts explains the entire process — from the initial investigation to the grand jury proceedings, legal support, and the emotional and psychological impact on officers and their families. The established BCI protocol aims to remove uncertainty and provide officers, witnesses, and their families with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently face the aftermath of a critical incident. Workshop attendees gain a better understanding of the investigation process, legal representation, psychological support, and grand jury proceedings.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

  • Workshop 23 | Crisis on Bourbon Street: Lessons in Multi-agency Response from the New Orleans Attack

    Workshop 23 | Crisis on Bourbon Street: Lessons in Multi-agency Response from the New Orleans Attack

    • Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department

    As the world ushered in a new year on Jan. 1, 2025, the city of New Orleans was shaken to its core when 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup into the crowd on Bourbon Street, then got out of his truck to engage in a shootout with police. Fourteen people lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. The weight of that day, and the pain it yielded for so many, won’t be forgotten. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick leads this critical incident debrief, beginning with an overview of the tragedy — what happened, how it evolved, and the immediate threat posed to public safety. Attendees learn about the planning process in place before the attack, including existing emergency response protocols and interagency agreements. A key focus is on managing the self-dispatching agencies that flooded the scene – often with good intentions but without coordination – and how leadership simultaneously controlled this surge and maintained operational discipline. This session is ideal for all ranks of law enforcement officers, emergency planners, and first responders looking to sharpen their readiness for high-profile, complex urban incidents involving multiple jurisdictions.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

Tuesday

Breakout Session 3 (7:45 - 9:45 a.m.)*

  • Workshop 24 | Shots Fired at C.W. High - VR Scenario Training

    Workshop 24 | Shots Fired at C.W. High - VR Scenario Training

    • Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
    • Charles Vrugitz, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    This VR scenario training includes situations involving school violence, situational awareness, mental-health crisis, and tactical considerations. The realistic, emotionally charged scenarios replicate the stress, trauma, and distractions of real-world incidents — all within a safe, controlled environment. The training offers officers the chance to practice de-escalation techniques, crisis-management strategies, and effective communication. It is ideal for those looking to sharpen essential skills, build confidence, and improve outcomes in the field.

  • Workshop 25 | Supervising the FTO Program

    Workshop 25 | Supervising the FTO Program

    • Laura Suber, Sergeant (retired), Columbus Police Department; Civilian Training Coordinator, Reynoldsburg Police Department
    • April Redick, Lieutenant, Columbus Division of Police

    This comprehensive overview addresses the fundamentals and essential structure needed to effectively supervise a Field Training Officer (FTO) program. The workshop equips supervisors with the tools and strategies needed to effectively support new officers through both professional and personal challenges. Attendees gain practical knowledge about the oversight and management responsibilities that can help ensure a successful training experience. Key topics include consistent monitoring of trainee progress through daily evaluation reviews, analysis of footage from body-worn cameras and in-car video systems, and active communication with both the FTO and the new officer. Also explored are ways to identify performance issues early and take appropriate corrective actions, such as re-training sessions and debriefs. Attention to detail, including documentation, is crucial, as is the need to regularly update the chain of command on new officers’ progress. Additionally, the workshop addresses the personal challenges new officers may face, including family difficulties, emotional stress, and learning disabilities, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these factors to prevent training failures.

  • Workshop 26 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    Workshop 26 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    • Aaron Coey, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: This course takes place off-site at the Lake Erie Arms facility. Participants must provide their own transportation.

    This workshop covers academic and practical considerations for scenario-based training, including a discussion of scenario development that considers the need to balance safety, reality, and tactics. The training also encompasses analysis of practical examples and methods for evaluating student and instructor performance. A "lessons learned" component explores ways to mitigate issues that commonly arise during scenario-based training.

  • Workshop 27 | Writing Search Warrants

    Workshop 27 | Writing Search Warrants

    • Melissa Day, Senior Assistant Attorney General for OPOTA, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 36 – Pathway to the Search Warrant: A Practical Guide for Patrol Officers.

    The course takes a detailed look at the law behind search warrants, the parts of a warrant required by both federal and state law, and the information that must be contained in those documents. Best practices, visual examples, and case law are used to explain all the necessary parts of a search warrant and ancillary documents. Using this newly acquired information, attendees then draft a simple search warrant, one part at a time.

  • Workshop 28 | Supervisor's Guide to Employee Rights

    Workshop 28 | Supervisor's Guide to Employee Rights

    • John Cole, Commander, Shaker Heights Police Department
    • C. Randolph Keller, Chief Prosecuting Attorney, City of Shaker Heights

    This workshop provides a legal, ethical, and practical framework for supervisors and managers in law enforcement to fairly and effectively administer discipline. It outlines key legal precedents — Garrity, Kastigar, Weingarten, and Loudermill — that protect employee rights during internal investigations, interviews, and disciplinary actions. It emphasizes the need for due process, consistent application of "just cause" principles, and consideration of mitigating factors such as seniority and proportionality of discipline. Real-world scenarios demonstrate how misconduct, dishonesty, and policy violations should be addressed, particularly when public trust and officer accountability are at stake. The overall goal is to ensure fair investigations, lawful procedures, and the wellness of all employees.

  • Workshop 29 | Public Records and Law Enforcement

    Workshop 29 | Public Records and Law Enforcement

    • Heather Buchanan, Director of Open Government, Ohio Attorney General’s Office

    This workshop explains the essentials of Ohio’s Public Records Act, emphasizing the importance of transparency and compliance. It defines what constitutes a public office and a public record, including records from private entities acting as public offices and personal communications that document official duties. It also details what makes a valid public-records request, stressing clarity and feasibility, and explains rules for access, charges, and response times. Also covered are exemptions — particularly those affecting law enforcement, such as confidential law enforcement investigatory records, security and infrastructure records, and victim privacy under Marsy’s Law. In addition, redaction practices and retention policies — supported by case law to guide appropriate disclosure and protect sensitive information — are explored.

  • Workshop 30.1 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 1 of 2

    Workshop 30.1 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 1 of 2

    • Dr. Brian Springer, Professor and Interim Chair, Wright State University’s Department of Emergency Medicine
    • Nadi Graham, Sergeant, Ohio State Highway Patrol
    • Austin List, Police Officer, Kettering Health Police Department

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 30.2 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This dynamic four-hour training (Workshops 30.1 and 30.2 combined) is designed to provide law enforcement officers, first-line supervisors, and corrections personnel with lifesaving medical skills to respond effectively to traumatic injuries in the field — to themselves, a fellow officer, or an everyday citizen. Rooted in the principles of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), the course emphasizes practical, hands-on training tailored to the unique challenges faced by first responders. Participants learn critical techniques in hemorrhage control and airway management as well as rapid application of tourniquets and pressure dressings. The course also addresses tactical considerations, officer safety, and communication during high-stress medical incidents. The training instills in officers the confidence and competence to act decisively in the moments that matter most.

  • Workshop 31 | Current Local Jail Operations in Ohio - a Discussion

    Workshop 31 | Current Local Jail Operations in Ohio - a Discussion

    • Vernon P. Stanforth, Sheriff, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

    This workshop is designed to create a dialogue among attendees with the goal of identifying current unaddressed trends and training gaps in local jail operations throughout Ohio. Sheriff Stanforth, who recently completed a term as president of the National Sheriffs’ Association and the association’s Executive Committee, moderates the discussion.

  • Workshop 32.1 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 1 of 2

    Workshop 32.1 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 1 of 2

    • Alexis Miller, Deputy Director of Curriculum, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants who take this course MUST also take Workshop 32.2 (for a total of 4 hours).

    Designed for peace officers who want to teach in-person CPT courses, this course qualifies a law enforcement officer with at least five years of law enforcement experience to be listed as an instructor on CPT Pre-approval Applications. The training prepares future instructors to write lesson plans and teach courses in a law enforcement setting. Sample topics include instruction in the theories of adult learning, teaching techniques, lesson plan development, student learning objectives, facilitating learning, and evaluation and assessments.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

Breakout Session 4 (10 a.m. - noon)*

  • Workshop 30.2 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 2 of 2

    Workshop 30.2 | Self-Aid/Buddy Aid for Law Enforcement, Part 2 of 2

    • Dr. Brian Springer, Professor and Interim Chair, Wright State University’s Department of Emergency Medicine
    • Nadi Graham, Sergeant, Ohio State Highway Patrol
    • Austin List, Police Officer, Kettering Health Police Department

    NOTE: Registrants for this course MUST also take Workshop 30.1 (for a total of 4 hours).

    This dynamic four-hour training (Workshops 30.1 and 30.2 combined) is designed to provide law enforcement officers, first-line supervisors, and corrections personnel with lifesaving medical skills to respond effectively to traumatic injuries in the field — to themselves, a fellow officer, or an everyday citizen. Rooted in the principles of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), the course emphasizes practical, hands-on training tailored to the unique challenges faced by first responders. Participants learn critical techniques in hemorrhage control and airway management as well as rapid application of tourniquets and pressure dressings. The course also addresses tactical considerations, officer safety, and communication during high-stress medical incidents. The training instills officers with the confidence and competence to act decisively in the moments that matter most.

  • Workshop 32.2 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 2 of 2

    Workshop 32.2 | CPT Instructional Skills, Part 2 of 2

    • Alexis Miller, Deputy Director of Curriculum, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants who take this course MUST also take Workshop 32.1 (for a total of 4 hours).

    Designed for peace officers who want to teach in-person CPT courses, this course qualifies a law enforcement officer with at least five years of law enforcement experience to be listed as an instructor on CPT Pre-approval Applications. The training prepares future instructors to write lesson plans and teach courses in a law enforcement setting. Sample topics include instruction in the theories of adult learning, teaching techniques, lesson plan development, student learning objectives, facilitating learning, and evaluation and assessments.

  • Workshop 33 | Jumper on High Plains Bridge - VR Scenario Training

    Workshop 33 | Jumper on High Plains Bridge - VR Scenario Training

    • Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
    • Charles Vrugitz, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    This VR scenario training includes situations involving suicide prevention, mental-health crisis, de-escalation techniques, and engagement with juveniles. The realistic, emotionally charged scenarios replicate the stress, trauma, and distractions of real-world incidents — all within a safe, controlled environment. The VR experience offers officers the chance to practice de-escalation techniques, crisis-management strategies, and effective communication. This training is ideal for those looking to sharpen essential skills, build confidence, and improve outcomes in the field.

  • Workshop 34 | Personal Wellness & Self-Care

    Workshop 34 | Personal Wellness & Self-Care

    • Steven Click, Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of First Responder Wellness

    Life happens. Beyond work, our personal lives can cause stress, anxiety, and issues that must be dealt with in order to remain healthy and happy. Often, though, caring for ourselves takes a back seat to caring for others, fulfilling work responsibilities, or just making it through the day. This course serves as a reminder that proper self-care is essential to being able to effectively care for others. The discussion covers the range of possible physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and behavioral effects as well as techniques and strategies for dealing with those effects in a healthy and safe way. Also covered are concepts and techniques for family and friends as well as additional resources.

  • Workshop 35 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    Workshop 35 | Scenario-Based Training (Located off-site at Lake Erie Arms)

    • Aaron Coey, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    Note: This course takes place off-site at the Lake Erie Arms facility. Participants must provide their own transportation.

    This workshop covers academic and practical considerations for scenario-based training, including a discussion of scenario development that considers the need to balance safety, reality, and tactics. The training also encompasses analysis of practical examples and methods for evaluating student and instructor performance. A "lessons learned" component explores ways to mitigate issues that commonly arise during scenario-based training.

  • Workshop 36 | Pathway to the Search Warrant: A Practical Guide for Patrol Officers

    Workshop 36 | Pathway to the Search Warrant: A Practical Guide for Patrol Officers

    • Brett Simon, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

    NOTE: Registrants for this course are encouraged to also take Workshop 27 – Writing Search Warrants.

    This workshop is designed to equip patrol officers with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to initiate and obtain a legally sound search warrant. Often the first to identify probable cause during investigations, patrol officers play a crucial role in building the foundation for warrant-based searches. Workshop participants are guided through the step-by-step process of developing probable cause, documenting observations, collaborating with investigators and/or prosecutors, and preparing an affidavit. The course also covers common legal pitfalls, jurisdictional requirements, and best practices to ensure the warrant withstands judicial scrutiny. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, patrol officers, field-training officers and first-line supervisors gain confidence in navigating the warrant process and understanding their vital role in preserving constitutional protections while conducting thorough investigations.

  • Workshop 37 | Campus Extremism and Hamas in the U.S.

    Workshop 37 | Campus Extremism and Hamas in the U.S.

    • Lara Burns, Head of Terrorism Research, George Washington University’s Program on Extremism

    Hamas has a long history in the United States, from its origins in the 1980s to its latest spinoffs, which have been key players in recent campus protests. Using internal Hamas documents and evidence used in a federal prosecution, this workshop highlights key players, tactics, and narratives essential for identifying and countering this network’s activities. The need for knowledge about Hamas-linked networks in the U.S. has become critical, especially since the October 2023 attacks in Israel. Many stakeholders — including federal, state, and local authorities; universities; Jewish communities; law firms; and the media — face significant knowledge gaps about Hamas’ activities and their role in rising campus extremism and anti-Semitism. This training fills these gaps by offering investigative insights, real-world case studies, and strategic knowledge-sharing.

  • Workshop 38 | Victim Sensitivity and Victim Rights

    Workshop 38 | Victim Sensitivity and Victim Rights

    • Cindy Kuhr, Victim Specialist – Wellness Coordinator, L.S.W., M.Ed., R.A.S.S., C.C.R., Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation

    This workshop addresses how to create an environment conducive to crime victims – which, in turn, creates an environment for disclosure. The discussion covers semantics, body language, approach to gathering necessary information, and enforcement of victim’s rights. Attendees learn what a victim experiences and how to identify trauma responses; how to identify tools that can assist in developing long-term positive communication based on trauma understanding; how to encourage trust in that relationship; how to effectively use available resources; and how victim’s rights are enforced through Marsy’s Law in Ohio.

  • Workshop 39 | Lake County Sheriff's Office Public Training Facility - Planning, Construction, Operations and Training

    Workshop 39 | Lake County Sheriff's Office Public Training Facility - Planning, Construction, Operations and Training

    • Frank Leonbruno, Sheriff, Lake County Sheriff’s Office
    • Jeffrey Belle, Deputy and Training Coordinator, Lake County Sheriff’s Office
    • Donald Ticel, Training Coordinator, Lake County Sheriff’s Public Safety Training Facility

    This overview of the planning, construction, and operation of Lake County’s new law enforcement training facility highlights the strong partnerships that made the project a success despite some construction challenges. Attendees learn how teamwork and trust among local agencies fostered new training partnerships and enhanced public safety as the county sought to meet the sheriff’s vision for a centralized, no-cost training center. As the workshop underscores, solid relationships and enduring professionalism are essential to building and sustaining community resources.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

  • Workshop 40 | Debrief and Lessons Learned - Marjory Stoneman Douglas Active Shooter

    Workshop 40 | Debrief and Lessons Learned - Marjory Stoneman Douglas Active Shooter

    • Bradley McKeone, Deputy City Manager, Coral Springs, Florida; retired Chief of Police, Coral Springs Police Department
    • Brad Mock, Chief of Police, Coral Springs Police Department

    This workshop provides a comprehensive look at the circumstances and the actions of law enforcement and other entities leading up to the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The debrief includes an exploration of the aftermath in the hours, days, months, and now years since the tragedy, exploring what was done well and what wasn’t – and offering attendees an opportunity to learn from those lessons. Also highlighted is the need for an effective mental-health program for first responders, school employees, the community at large, and others indirectly affected by the tragedy. Workshop attendees are free to ask questions at any time.

  • I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

    I am not attending any workshops during this Breakout Session.

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