Workshop 1 | School Commander Conference

• Arturo “Art” DeLeon, Deputy Director of Professional Standards, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)
• Arienne Fauber, Senior Certification Specialist, OPOTC

This course offers a detailed demonstration of the OPOTA Portal as it currently exists as well as future functionality for basic academy operations. Also covered are topics relevant to conducting and overseeing an OPOTC Basic Training program. Symposium registrants who attend the workshop satisfy the Ohio Administrative Code requirement that commanders attend a conference within their renewal period.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Art DeLeon started with the Ohio Police Training Academy (OPOTA) in July 2022 as a Certification Specialist and was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Professional Standards. Before joining OPOTA, he was a felony Probation Officer and ran the Delaware County Drug Court, focusing on pretrial supervision.

Arienne Fauber began her career with the Attorney General’s Office in March 2011. In her 13 years as a Certification Specialist, she has covered every area of the state. Arienne currently supervises certification for Ohio’s western region, overseeing the opening and closing of audits for all academy types; approving instructor applications for academy programs, including K-9 certification; and approving peace officer appointments and reciprocity applications. She also guides constituents who have OPOTC-related questions.

Workshop 2 | Advancing Policing in Ohio by Implementing Situational Decision-Making Training: A Workshop for Trainers (Sit-D)

• Oeindrila Dube, Professor of Global Conflict Studies, University of Chicago
• Sandy Jo MacArthur, Assistant Chief (retired), Los Angeles Police Department

Police work often involves making complex decisions – sometimes life-and-death decisions – under enormous stress. This workshop explains a new hands-on training platform that focuses on the cognitive demands of the job, known as Situational Decision-Making. Developed by the University of Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Police Department, this science-informed training has been shown to help improve officer decision-making in ambiguous, high-stress situations. Please note that this workshop is intended for agency leaders interested in bringing Sit-D to their departments and officers interested in becoming Sit-D trainers.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Oeindrila Dube is the Philip K. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. Dube’s research examines how economic and behavioral factors shape participation in violence and crime. She is an affiliate member of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and co-leads the Crime and Violence Initiative at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), and the Socio-economic Inequalities Initiative at the University of Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University, a M Phil in economics from Oxford University, and a BA in public policy from Stanford University

Sandy Jo MacArthur has a career in policing spanning 41 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, where she attained the rank of assistant chief. After retiring in 2015, she worked at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office teaching law enforcement agencies throughout the county how to use de-escalation skills when handling calls involving persons with mental illness and the impacts of trauma. Sandy Jo teaches with the Pepperdine University Mediation Program and Strauss School of Law and consults with law enforcement groups across the nation, including with the University of Chicago Crime Lab. She received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University in 1980, a master’s in behavioral science from California State University, Dominquez Hills, in 1997, and is pursuing her doctorate in psychology from California Southern University.

Workshop 3.1 | Qualification Officer, Part A

• Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
• Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshop 3.2. You must register for both parts of this workshop.

This two-part workshop – geared for non-instructors – explores firearms- and range-safety procedures as well as OPOTA’s RQT2 target and associated scoring procedures. Workshop participants review and learn to score qualification targets for the semiauto 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 listed OPOTA qualifications. Workshop participants are tested on the scoring procedures; those who pass are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer.
NOTES: This course, which is being held off-site at Lake Erie Arms, requires no prerequisites. It is not an update to, a requirement of or a replacement for the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor. Those who complete the course will not be certified as an instructor, be able to conduct any remedial training that may be required or be certified to teach in an academy capacity.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Matthew Rahde, who joined OPOTA this year as an Advanced Training Instructor, 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 law enforcement career in Patrol, holding ancillary positions as 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.

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

Workshop 4.1 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor, Part A

• Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshops 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

Virtual reality (VR) represents the next technological evolution in peace officer training, allowing officers to practice responding to and defusing potentially volatile scenarios by using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. VR gives peace officers the feel of real-life trauma, distractions, reactions and more. This four-part workshop certifies participants as VR training instructors, qualifying them to teach the VR training to other peace officers. Once certified, the instructors receive access to VR goggles and lesson plans for instruction – available for loan at no cost from one of OPOTA’s conveniently located regional training partners throughout the state.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Barry Wisecup, an Army veteran who was twice deployed to Iraq, has 17 years of law enforcement experience, including 10 years with SWAT as an operator, MRAP/Bearcat driver and grenadier. As an Advanced Training Instructor for OPOTA, he specializes in training centered on active threats, building searches and virtual reality. Barry’s instructor certifications encompass less-lethal impact, distraction devices, Tasers, OC/impact weapons, SORAT/building searches, and subject control, GST levels 1 & 2 and scenario-based.

Workshop 5 | Cyber Crime Updates

• Justin Root, Special Agent Supervisor, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Tyler Price, Director of Public Service and Safety, City of Wapakoneta

This workshop covers legal and technical updates pertaining to cyber-related criminal investigations, including emerging concerns about cellphone seizure and network isolation, data extraction and evidence review. It also addresses legal considerations for obtaining data from online service providers in compliance with the federal Stored Communications Act.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Before becoming a supervisor in BCI’s Cyber Crime Unit, Justin Root worked as a Special Agent in the unit. He joined BCI after working as the computer crime detective for the Ohio State University Police Department as well as a special deputy U.S. Marshal on the FBI’s Cybercrime Task Force. While practicing law, Justin co-chaired the cybersecurity and data privacy sub-practice for the U.S. offices of an international law firm. He also was previously a member of CyberOhio's Legal Cybersecurity Subcommittee, helping to draft Ohio’s Data Protection Act. Justin is a GIAC certified computer forensic examiner, GIAC certified advanced smartphone forensic examiner, Cellebrite certified operator and Cellebrite certified physical analyst. He also is certified in cryptocurrency basics and methods of cryptocurrency investigation.

Tyler Price, who currently oversees safety services in Wapakoneta, was previously a Special Agent for BCI serving in the Crime Scene and Cyber Crime units. Before that, he worked as a deputy sheriff for Auglaize County, where he served on the Grand Lake Drug Task Force. Tyler is s a GIAC certified computer forensic examiner, Cellebrite certified mobile examiner, Cellebrite certified operator and Cellebrite certified physical analyst.

Workshop 6 | Search and Seizure Case Law Update

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

This review of recent search-and-seizure cases brings peace officers up-to-date to help ensure that they’re acting within the bounds of the law. Topics of focus include reasonable suspicion, probable cause, warrantless automobile searches, warrantless searches of a person, and search warrants. Cases are organized by subject, with the presenter providing a brief overview/review of landmark cases as well as the updates that modify the interpretation of those cases. In addition, participants learn about any significant cases pending before the Ohio or U.S. Supreme Courts that merit watching.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Senior Assistant Attorney General Drew Wood has taught trial practice CLEs for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Toledo Bar Association and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, including the OPAA’s Trial Practice Boot Camp for new prosecuting attorneys. He previously worked as a Senior Assistant Prosecutor in Lucas County. Drew graduated in 2008 from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. He lives in the greater Toledo area.

Workshop 8.1 | Patrol Supervisor Response to a Critical Incident, Part A

• Paul Ohl, Columbus Police Division (retired), OTOA RED Team Training Cadre

Pairs with Workshops 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

This four-part course was created to provide baseline training for managing critical incidents. The target audience includes first-line supervisors, patrol personnel, promotional candidates and those acting as supervisors. Participants learn the three components that define a critical incident, how NIMS and ICS (UC) can assist in managing a critical incident, and the “Eight Steps to Critical Incident Management.” Real-life patrol critical incidents are debriefed and reviewed. Course participants demonstrate proficiency in Critical Incident Management concepts through a tabletop exercise.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Paul Ohl served for more than 28 years with the Columbus Division of Police, retiring as the SWAT Platoon Commander. He oversaw more than 300 missions involving barricaded suspects and hostage situations, the execution of hundreds of high-risk search warrants, as well as VIP protection details. Before serving as the SWAT Platoon Commander, he supervised units within the division’s Strategic Response Bureau, responsible for investigating gangs, career criminals, street crime enforcement teams and crime analysts. He has a combined 18 years of experience in Patrol Operations at the rank of officer, sergeant and lieutenant. As the SWAT lieutenant, Paul provided presentations to more than 6,000 residents regarding response to incidents involving an active aggressor/active shooter and served as a technical adviser to the division’s Training Bureau in developing a training program on active-aggressor response – a program that in 2017 and 2018 was taught to 1,900 police officers and 1,500 firefighters. He developed the Street Leadership Course delivered at the 2018 Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference, served as the OTOA Section Chair for Tactical Command, and assisted OPOTA in delivering a course in Active Shooter Preparation. He is currently an instructor for ALERRT Active Shooter Level I, Vehicle Close Quarter Battle and Officer Water Survival. He also has completed the Train the Trainer Course for High Threat CQB.

Workshop 9 | Legal Updates (CPT mandatory updates)

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

Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of violence. In this workshop, the presenters provide an overview of the medical implications of strangulation, covering relevant statistics and the reasons that strangulation is so lethal. They also discuss the legal implications, including Ohio’s new strangulation law, and address significant legal challenges. The training focuses on handling strangulation cases in the context of relevant case law. Participants learn about emerging practices, research case laws, and ways to address their cases and save lives.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Jane Bryan is a registered nurse and an advocate for laws that protect people against violence. She has worked as a forensic nurse/sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) at University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s PATH Center. She is SANE-A-certified and works for Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital's Forensic Unit as the assistant nurse manager. As part of her advocacy, she has provided proponent testimony before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee and the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee for laws that protect Ohioans against violence. Representing the Cleveland Clinic PATH Center, she testified in support of eliminating the statute of limitations for rape. She also delivered proponent testimony on behalf of the Ohio Chapter’s International Association of Forensic Nurses for House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 90, which supported victims of strangulation and domestic violence.

Alexandria Ruden has been an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland since 1984. She is a member of the advisory board of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services’ Family Violence Prevention Center and serves 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, a member of the statewide VAWA Implementation Committee, the Cuyahoga County Domestic Violence Shelter Advisory Board, and the Violence Against Women Act Grant Allocations Committee (for Cuyahoga County). Alexandria is also a dedicated teacher and trainer on issues that affect victims of violence. She lectures and trains on the dynamics of domestic violence and the law as well as safety-focused parenting plans in which domestic violence is present. She is an expert in domestic-violence law, and she co-wrote (with Judge Sherie Miday) Ohio Domestic Law for Thomson Reuter’s Publishing Co. Given her expertise, she is routinely sought out by other legal professionals and often serves as a consultant to legislators, judicial officers, law enforcement and other professionals regarding domestic-violence law. She was a critical member of a team that, along with legislators and other professionals, helped to pass Ohio’s strangulation law.

Workshop 3.2 | Qualification Officer, Part B

• Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
• Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshop 3.1. You must register for both parts of this workshop.


This two-part workshop – geared for non-instructors – explores firearms- and range-safety procedures as well as OPOTA’s RQT2 target and associated scoring procedures. Workshop participants review and learn to score qualification targets for the semiauto 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 listed OPOTA qualifications. Workshop participants are tested on the scoring procedures; those who pass are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer.
NOTES: This course, which is being held off-site at Lake Erie Arms, requires no prerequisites. It is not an update to, a requirement of or a replacement for the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor. Those who complete the course will not be certified as an instructor, be able to conduct any remedial training that may be required or be certified to teach in an academy capacity.

Workshop 4.2 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor, Part B

• Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshops 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

Virtual reality (VR) represents the next technological evolution in peace officer training, allowing officers to practice responding to and defusing potentially volatile scenarios by using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. VR gives peace officers the feel of real-life trauma, distractions, reactions and more. This four-part workshop certifies participants as VR training instructors, qualifying them to teach the VR training to other peace officers. Once certified, the instructors receive access to VR goggles and lesson plans for instruction – available for loan at no cost from one of OPOTA’s conveniently located regional training partners throughout the state.

Workshop 8.2 | Patrol Supervisor Response to a Critical Incident, Part B

• Paul Ohl, Columbus Police Division (retired), OTOA RED Team Training Cadre

Pairs with Workshops 8.1, 8.3 and 8.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

This four-part course was created to provide baseline training for managing critical incidents. The target audience includes first-line supervisors, patrol personnel, promotional candidates and those acting as supervisors. Participants learn the three components that define a critical incident, how NIMS and ICS (UC) can assist in managing a critical incident, and the “Eight Steps to Critical Incident Management.” Real-life patrol critical incidents are debriefed and reviewed. Course participants demonstrate proficiency in Critical Incident Management concepts through a tabletop exercise.

Workshop 10 | School Commander Conference

• Arturo “Art” DeLeon, Deputy Director of Professional Standards, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)
• Arienne Fauber, Senior Certification Specialist, OPOTC

This course offers a detailed demonstration of the OPOTA Portal as it currently exists as well as future functionality for basic academy operations. Also covered are topics relevant to conducting and overseeing an OPOTC Basic Training program. Symposium registrants who attend the workshop satisfy the Ohio Administrative Code requirement that commanders attend a conference within their renewal period.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Art DeLeon started with the Ohio Police Training Academy (OPOTA) in July 2022 as a Certification Specialist and was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Professional Standards. Before joining OPOTA, he was a felony Probation Officer and ran the Delaware County Drug Court, focusing on pretrial supervision.

Arienne Fauber began her career with the Attorney General’s Office in March 2011. In her 13 years as a Certification Specialist, she has covered every area of the state. Arienne currently supervises certification for Ohio’s western region, overseeing the opening and closing of audits for all academy types; approving instructor applications for academy programs, including K-9 certification; and approving peace officer appointments and reciprocity applications. She also guides constituents who have OPOTC-related questions.

Workshop 11 | Knox County Debrief

• Ramon Diaz, Delaware Police Department (retired), OTOA RED Team Training Cadre
• Craig Feeney, Detective Lt. / Tactical Team Commander, Knox County Sheriff's Office

This workshop analyzes the planning and coordination required to manage a large-scale, rapidly evolving event involving multiple tactical teams and numerous support elements. Specifically, the workshop examines a standoff in August 2022 in Knox County that developed after deputies responded to a call reporting shots fired at bail bondsmen attempting to follow a wanted suspect. The suspect and his brother took refuge on their several-hundred-acre fenced property, where they ran a propane business. More than 50 officers from five tactical response teams responded. Ultimately, both suspects were killed and more than 1,200 firearms and over 400,000 rounds of ammunition were seized.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Ramon Diaz is a recently retired Patrol Sergeant with the Delaware Police Department, where he began serving in 1998. He joined the Delaware Tactical Unit, a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team, in 2000 and retired as the Team Commander in 2023. He also served as the Senior Firearms Instructor, High Threat CQB Instructor, ALERRT Instructor, and Below 100 Instructor for the department. Ramon currently serves the OTOA as Commander of the RED Team Training Cadre. In December 2014, he contributed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Advisory Group on Law Enforcement Training, which was tasked with examining and suggesting improvements for training Ohio's peace officers. In addition to his law enforcement career, Ramon served in the Army for more than 22 years (active and reserve) as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving on multiple operational detachments as the Senior Medical Sergeant (18D). He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Class in 2008. His deployments include tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and others outside the continental United States.

Craig Feeney started his law enforcement career in 1997 at the Fredericktown (Ohio) Police Department where he served as an auxiliary officer. In 1999, he was hired by the Mount Vernon Police Department, where he served as a patrolman and detective. He also became a member of their tactical unit when it was established in 2007. In 2013, Craig left the Mount Vernon Police Department and was hired by the Knox County Sheriff's Office as a drug detective. Craig moved through the ranks and is currently serving as the Detective Division Lieutenant and Tactical Team Commander. Craig is a pistol and red dot instructor.

Workshop 12 | Cyber Crime Updates

• Justin Root, Special Agent Supervisor, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
• Tyler Price, Director of Public Service and Safety, City of Wapakoneta

This workshop covers legal and technical updates pertaining to cyber-related criminal investigations, including emerging concerns about cellphone seizure and network isolation, data extraction and evidence review. It also addresses legal considerations for obtaining data from online service providers in compliance with the federal Stored Communications Act.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Before becoming a supervisor in BCI’s Cyber Crime Unit, Justin Root worked as a Special Agent in the unit. He joined BCI after working as the computer crime detective for the Ohio State University Police Department as well as a special deputy U.S. Marshal on the FBI’s Cybercrime Task Force. While practicing law, Justin co-chaired the cybersecurity and data privacy sub-practice for the U.S. offices of an international law firm. He also was previously a member of CyberOhio's Legal Cybersecurity Subcommittee, helping to draft Ohio’s Data Protection Act. Justin is a GIAC certified computer forensic examiner, GIAC certified advanced smartphone forensic examiner, Cellebrite certified operator and Cellebrite certified physical analyst. He also is certified in cryptocurrency basics and methods of cryptocurrency investigation.

Tyler Price, who currently oversees safety services in Wapakoneta, was previously a Special Agent for BCI serving in the Crime Scene and Cyber Crime units. Before that, he worked as a deputy sheriff for Auglaize County, where he served on the Grand Lake Drug Task Force. Tyler is s a GIAC certified computer forensic examiner, Cellebrite certified mobile examiner, Cellebrite certified operator and Cellebrite certified physical analyst.

Workshop 13 | Search and Seizure Case Law Update

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

This review of recent search-and-seizure cases brings peace officers up-to-date to help ensure that they’re acting within the bounds of the law. Topics of focus include reasonable suspicion, probable cause, warrantless automobile searches, warrantless searches of a person, and search warrants. Cases are organized by subject, with the presenter providing a brief overview/review of landmark cases as well as the updates that modify the interpretation of those cases. In addition, participants learn about any significant cases pending before the Ohio or U.S. Supreme Courts that merit watching.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Senior Assistant Attorney General Drew Wood has taught trial practice CLEs for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Toledo Bar Association and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, including the OPAA’s Trial Practice Boot Camp for new prosecuting attorneys. He previously worked as a Senior Assistant Prosecutor in Lucas County. Drew graduated in 2008 from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. He lives in the greater Toledo area.

Workshop 14 | Marsy’s Law/Victim Rights and NIBIN (CPT mandatory updates)

• Melissa Day, Chief of the Juvenile Division, Stark County Prosecutor’s Office
• Patrick Murphy, Laboratory Technician 2, Ohio BCI
• Audrey Guggenbiller, Laboratory Technician 2, Ohio BCI

This workshop provides CPT-mandated updates on two topics: Marsy’s Law and the National Integrated Ballistic Network (NIBIN). Melissa Day reviews recent changes to Marsy’s Law, exploring the definition of “victim” under Ohio’s law, the rights to which a victim is entitled, the responsibilities of peace officers and prosecutors, and more. During the NIBIN component of the workshop, Patrick Murphy and Audrey Guggenbiller address the benefits of using NIBIN early in the investigative process and the intelligence that can be obtained, BCI's workflow for entering exhibits into NIBIN and the dissemination of leads, and the training/certification process for agencies wishing to enter own evidence into NIBIN. In addition, they share NIBIN success stories and examples of the system’s impact on the investigative process.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Melissa Day is a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the OPOTA division of the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Previously, she was the Chief of the Juvenile Division at the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office and has prosecuted felony offenses for over 18 years. She served as a member of Governor DeWine’s Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group and has been active in giving multiple presentations to local law enforcement on various issues of law throughout her career. She has continued her teaching of law enforcement and law enforcement related topics as a certified OPOTA instructor and an Adjunct Professor at Stark State College.

Patrick Murphy is a NIBIN Technician at the Richfield Laboratory of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Prior to joining BCI, he worked for the Phoenix Police Department for 20 years as a detective with the Gun Squad, a deputized task force member with the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives and was a founding member of the Phoenix Police Department’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Patrick has nine years of experience with NIBIN and is an authorized NIBIN trainer.

Audrey Guggenbiller has been a NIBIN Technician for BCI’s Richfield Laboratory since June. Prior to joining BCI, Audrey earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from Tiffin University.

Workshop 4.3 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor, Part C

• Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshops 4.1, 4.2 and 4.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

Virtual reality (VR) represents the next technological evolution in peace officer training, allowing officers to practice responding to and defusing potentially volatile scenarios by using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. VR gives peace officers the feel of real-life trauma, distractions, reactions and more. This four-part workshop certifies participants as VR training instructors, qualifying them to teach the VR training to other peace officers. Once certified, the instructors receive access to VR goggles and lesson plans for instruction – available for loan at no cost from one of OPOTA’s conveniently located regional training partners throughout the state.

Workshop 8.3 | Patrol Supervisor Response to a Critical Incident, Part C

• Paul Ohl, Columbus Police Division (retired), OTOA RED Team Training Cadre

Pairs with Workshops 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

This four-part course was created to provide baseline training for managing critical incidents. The target audience includes first-line supervisors, patrol personnel, promotional candidates and those acting as supervisors. Participants learn the three components that define a critical incident, how NIMS and ICS (UC) can assist in managing a critical incident, and the “Eight Steps to Critical Incident Management.” Real-life patrol critical incidents are debriefed and reviewed. Course participants demonstrate proficiency in Critical Incident Management concepts through a tabletop exercise.

Workshop 15.1 | Dialogue and Risk Assessment in Public Order Policing

• Duane Mabry, Commander, Columbus Division of Police
• Steve Dyer, Sergeant, Columbus Division of Police

Pairs with Workshop 15.2 | Advanced Topics in Crowd Psychology: Critique, Identity and Application. You must sign up for both.

Public order policing relies on trust between a community and its police force built on reliable, professional and unbiased policing. It requires a delicate balance between protecting individual rights and ensuring the community’s welfare while preventing and managing civil disturbances. The first course in this two-part workshop uses practical examples to demonstrate how the Columbus Police Division implements research-based strategies from Clifford Stott, an expert in crowd psychology, a branch of social psychology that explores the behaviors, emotions and thoughts processes of both individual members of a crowd and the crowd as a collective social entity. The presenters guide participants through a public order event, from initial notification to the event debriefing. They illustrate the application of Stott’s research-based strategies in managing the event, from both the command and operational perspectives. Workshop participants experience the pre-event planning and ongoing risk assessment through the strategic lens of the dialogue-led approach.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Duane M. Mabry has worked in law enforcement since 1999, including 23 years with the Columbus Division of Police (20 in Patrol). He has held assignments in the Professional Standards Bureau and the Property Crimes Bureau. Duane is a founding member of the Police Division’s Bicycle Coordination Unit (BCU) and creator of the division’s training for members of the Bicycle Rapid Response Team. He is an OPOTA instructor in Civil Disorders and has been a certified instructor in Less Lethal (ICP, OC, LLIM, CHEM, DD). Throughout his professional career, he has been a practitioner of crowd management, having traveled the United States and Europe studying crowd management techniques to implement best practices in Columbus. Duane is currently the Zone 5 Patrol Commander and leads the Police Division’s newly established Public Order Public Safety (POPS) team, which consists of a Dialogue Team, an Arrest and Control Team (ACT) and the Bicycle Rapid Response Team. He has designed a layered approached to crowd management, which includes all aspects of the POPS team, based on best practices in the U.S. and Europe. Duane has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an MBA in executive leadership (international business-finance).

Steve Dyer has been in law enforcement for two decades, serving in Patrol for 17 years before being promoted to Sergeant in 2022. Steve is an instructor for the division’s Bicycle Rapid Response Team and has been involved in responding to First Amendment demonstrations throughout his law enforcement career. He was part of the division’s delegation that traveled to Europe to learn the modern social science of crowds and became the division’s first Dialogue Officer.

Workshop 16 | Law Enforcement: Lessons From the Holocaust

• Jodi Elowitz, Director of Education, Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission

The choices of individual police officers in Nazi Germany greatly affected how the Nazis carried out their racial and genocidal policies. Many studies show that the officers who were involved in mass murder had a choice to step away, with no repercussions. Some did make that choice but did nothing to sway their comrades to also not participate. What is it about human nature that makes us capable of committing mass murder? How can we use the case study of the Holocaust or other genocides to help police officers reflect on their roles today? This interactive lecture uses primary source material (photos, documents, film) to focus on the history of law enforcement in Nazi Germany and help officers reflect on the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve today. It aims to help participants understand the role that law enforcement played in the mass murder of European Jews during World War II, understand how law enforcement’s role changed from 1933 to 1945, and learn about the pressures and motivations that may have influenced officers’ choices. The workshop also seeks to help foster understanding and empathy, so officers can better relate and work with the communities they serve.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Jodi Elowitz, a seasoned professional in Holocaust education, currently serves as the Director of Education for the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission. She has a diverse background that includes teaching, program oversight, curriculum design, and workshop development in the field of Holocaust studies, and has made significant strides in shaping Holocaust education at both the secondary and university levels. In addition to her role at the commission, Jodi serves as a Metadata Specialist at the USC Shoah Foundation, working on the Dimension in Testimony interactive Holocaust survivor biographies. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Cincinnati, teaching a course on the Holocaust in Film. Jodi was the Chief Learning Officer for the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati. Her ability to make visions a reality enabled her to manage the construction and design of the center’s award-winning interactive museum. She has served as the Outreach & Program Coordinator for the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota, was the Executive Director of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, and the Director of Holocaust Education for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. She has a bachelor’s degree in humanities and art history and a master’s in Holocaust studies.

Workshop 17.1 | Qualification Officer, Part A

• Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
• Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshop 17.2. You must register for both parts of this workshop.

This two-part workshop – geared for non-instructors – explores firearms- and range-safety procedures as well as OPOTA’s RQT2 target and associated scoring procedures. Workshop participants review and learn to score qualification targets for the semiauto 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 listed OPOTA qualifications. Workshop participants are tested on the scoring procedures; those who pass are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer.
NOTES: This course, which is being held off-site at Lake Erie Arms, requires no prerequisites. It is not an update to, a requirement of or a replacement for the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor. Those who complete the course will not be certified as an instructor, be able to conduct any remedial training that may be required or be certified to teach in an academy capacity.


INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Matthew Rahde, who joined OPOTA this year as an Advanced Training Instructor, 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 law enforcement career in Patrol, holding ancillary positions as 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.

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

Workshop 18 | What to Expect in an Officer-Involved Critical Incident

• Chuck Moran, Special Agent Supervisor, Ohio BCI
• Matthew Armstrong, Temporary Working Supervisor, Ohio BCI
• Cory Momchilov, Special Agent, Ohio BCI
• Nicholas Valente, Special Agent, Ohio BCI

This workshop helps participants prepare for something peace officers hope they never experience in their careers, even though some inevitably will: an officer-involved critical incident (OICI). The complexity of such cases makes it important for law enforcement officers to understand what happens after an OICI occurs and for law enforcement agencies to be ready to respond to one involving an agency officer. Among other things, the presenters discuss BCI’s protocols in the wake of an officer-involved critical incident, ways in which law enforcement agencies can and should prepare, and important considerations both before and after a critical incident.
NOTES: This course, which is being held off-site at Lake Erie Arms, requires no prerequisites. It is not an update to, a requirement of or a replacement for the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor. Those who complete the course will not be certified as an instructor, be able to conduct any remedial training that may be required or be certified to teach in an academy capacity.


INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Chuck Moran, who was promoted to BCI Special Agent Supervisor in January, previously served as a BCI Special Agent in the Special Investigations Unit for a decade. He has been involved with 100+ officer-involved-shooting investigations, led some of those investigations, conducted hundreds of related officer and witness interviews; testified numerous times in court, before a grand jury and in civil depositions related to OICI investigations; and participated in BCI working groups to establish policies and procedures related to OICI investigations conducted by BCI. Chuck is a LEVA-certified Forensic Video Technician and a Force Science Institute-certified Analyst. He has completed courses in Body Cameras & Other Recordings in Law Enforcement and Force Encounters Analysis: Understanding Human Performance in Critical Incidents. He also has completed and instructed a five-day internal officer-involved shooting class at BCI. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Cory Momchilov, a BCI Special Agent since 2012, has worked on at least 100 OICI investigations, led numerous complex and high-profile OICI investigations, and conducted hundreds of related officer and witness interviews. He is a Force Science Institute-certified Analyst and an OPOTA-certified Master Criminal Investigator. Before joining BCI, he worked as an Officer for the Wooster Police Department from 2006 through 2012. Cory has a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice.

Matt Armstrong, who started with BCI as a Special Agent in May 2021, has been involved with at least 40 OICI investigations. He has testified in grand jury and civil depositions numerous times and has participated in a BCI working group to establish policies and procedures related to OICI investigations conducted by BCI. Matt is a Force Science Institute-certified Analyst and a certified Evidence Technician. He has completed the course Force Encounters Analysis: Understanding Human Performance in Critical Incidents and a five-day internal BCI class on OICI investigations. He previously worked in law enforcement as an agent with the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and as a Police Officer with the Fostoria Police Department and the Miamisburg Police Department. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Nick Valente joined BCI as a Special Agent in October 2022. He has been involved with at least 20 OICI investigations, has testified in grand jury proceedings related to OICI investigations, completed a five-day internal BCI class on OICI investigations and a three-day external course on Force Encounters. Before arriving at BCI, he worked for nearly 10 years as a Police Officer and Detective with the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Workshop 19 | Demand Reduction in Human Trafficking: Trauma and Purchasing Sex

• Katie Howell, Advocacy Services Manager, Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
• Julius Payne, Program Coordinator, Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services at Kent State University

This course helps participants break down the false perception of human trafficking that is provided by media sources and depicted in Hollywood films. It touches on both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, with areas of focus including what a trafficker looks like, why trafficking is a lucrative business and how traffickers recruit victims. The presenters give a brief overview of the Stop the Cycle programming, or "john school," including the purpose behind this court-ordered program. They identify common characteristics of those who purchase sex and how, based on screening tool data and self-reported testimonies, their own childhood trauma affects their decision to buy sex. In addition, they explore the connection among the purchase of sex, the impact of sex buying on survivors of human trafficking, and how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) heighten one’s vulnerability to human trafficking. Also discussed are future area of research.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
As Advocacy Services Manager for the Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center, Katie Howell serves Summit and Medina counties in northeastern Ohio. Before focusing on victim services, Katie worked in both the criminal-justice system and the mental-health system. She began her work with the resource center as a Direct Service Advocate before being promoted to her management position. Part of Katie's role at Hope and Healing involves facilitating Stop the Cycle of Human Trafficking: Sex Buyer Intervention Program, which is mandated by courts for individuals charged with engaging in prostitution in Ohio.

Julius Payne has been working in the violence-prevention field as a coordinator and outreach manager for the past 10 years. During this time, he has been a part of numerous discussions about the prevention of power-based personal violence. He also has helped to facilitate the Stop the Cycle programming.

Workshop 20 | Crisis Mitigation De-Escalation (CPT mandatory updates)

• Paul Hartinger, Public Safety Instructor, Great Oaks Career Campuses, an OPOTA Regional Training Provider

Crisis communication skills are essential for successful law enforcement professionals – especially for crisis encounters that can quickly escalate. This course provides participants with the tools, skills and options for successfully de-escalating crisis and mental-health incidents. The instructor presents modern de-escalation techniques and follows the foundations of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for response to mental-health challenges.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Paul Hartinger’s law enforcement career spanned 33 years, including 28 with the Blue Ash Police Department. He began working as a Patrol Officer and retired in 2018 as Chief in Blue Ash. Paul has been training officers since 2004, instructing on a range of topics – from basic academy courses to executive leadership. He served as the Public Safety Services Supervisor for a local career tech center, producing police and fire training programs. A certified instructor for the Ohio Basic Peace Officer Academy, he teaches many advanced courses. He has produced, coordinated, consulted with and promoted training programs for area organizations to improve officer skills, safety, resilience, communication and interaction, with a concentration on crisis intervention and de-escalation skills. Paul is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, the Police Executive Leadership College and the FBI National Academy.

Workshop 26 | Working Plainclothes in Patrol

• Troy Walters, Officer, Columbus Division of Police

A police agency's survival training for plainclothes officers must reflect the nature of those officers’ tasks and any potential associated danger. Many agencies address criminal activity by deploying a directed patrol using officers who are familiar with the environment and know the neighborhood. These plainclothes officers often conduct covert surveillance, which may involve monitoring the activities of suspected criminals, gathering evidence of illegal transactions, or tracking the movements of persons of interest. Therefore, plainclothes officers face potential dangers that uniformed officers easily avoid. This workshop is targeted to patrol supervisors, detectives and officers who typically work in uniform but are sometimes given plainclothes assignments. It identifies the training, tactics, equipment requirements and procedures associated with plainclothes operations and basic guidelines regarding interactions and confrontations with officers who might be less readily identifiable. Topics include safety, critical thinking, equipment and ergonomics, identification of suspects, surveillance and more.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Troy Walters has 22 years of law enforcement service and experience with a municipal police department. He has dedicated his career to working Patrol assignments on third shift. He taught Defensive Tactics for 10 years and served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) for seven years, training hundreds of officers for his agency. As an FTO, he regularly stressed the importance of documenting facts in arrest reports and investigative summaries. Troy has a strong interest in keeping neighborhoods safe. He attended a 40-hour plainclothes course to enhance his skills in researching, locating, surveilling and arresting criminals. From 2005 to 2007, he worked plainclothes assignments periodically in a precinct adjacent to a large state university, then moved to another zone in the city, working on a rotating basis with other officers in plainclothes from 2008 to 2015. Since 2015, he has worked plainclothes full-time, addressing theft, property damage and other quality-of-life issues that are plaguing residents. In this work, he has been able to gather information for high-priority dispatched calls for service (gun runs, burglaries, assaults) ahead of uniformed officers. His experience makes Troy well-suited to instruct plainclothes courses for officers working directed patrol or special assignments.

Workshop 4.4 | Virtual Reality (Immersive Scenario-Based Training) Instructor, Part D

• Barry Wisecup, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshops 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

Virtual reality (VR) represents the next technological evolution in peace officer training, allowing officers to practice responding to and defusing potentially volatile scenarios by using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. VR gives peace officers the feel of real-life trauma, distractions, reactions and more. This four-part workshop certifies participants as VR training instructors, qualifying them to teach the VR training to other peace officers. Once certified, the instructors receive access to VR goggles and lesson plans for instruction – available for loan at no cost from one of OPOTA’s conveniently located regional training partners throughout the state.

Workshop 8.4 | Patrol Supervisor Response to a Critical Incident, Part D

• Paul Ohl, Columbus Police Division (retired), OTOA RED Team Training Cadre

Pairs with Workshops 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3. You must register for all four parts of this workshop.

This four-part course was created to provide baseline training for managing critical incidents. The target audience includes first-line supervisors, patrol personnel, promotional candidates and those acting as supervisors. Participants learn the three components that define a critical incident, how NIMS and ICS (UC) can assist in managing a critical incident, and the “Eight Steps to Critical Incident Management.” Real-life patrol critical incidents are debriefed and reviewed. Course participants demonstrate proficiency in Critical Incident Management concepts through a tabletop exercise.

Workshop 15.2 | Advanced Topics in Crowd Psychology: Critique, Identity and Application

• Dr. Clifford Stott, Keele University/The Ohio State University, John Glenn College of Public Affairs

Pairs with Workshop 15.1 | Dialogue and Risk Assessment in Public Order Policing. You must sign up for both.

In this two-hour intensive course – the second part of a two-part workshop – Professor Stott delves into the evolution of crowd theory with a critical lens and explores the evolution of crowd theory and contemporary perspectives. The session begins with a critical analysis of classical theories, moving to contemporary research on how social identity and group dynamics shape crowd behavior. Participants engage in discussions and exercises to challenge traditional views and understand the role of individual identity in collective actions. Professor Stott also discusses practical applications of crowd theory in policy and policing, evaluating the effectiveness of management strategies and sharing real-world examples and insights from his advisory experience with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Clifford Stott is a Professor of Social Psychology at Keele University in the United Kingdom. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University and is a Senior Visiting Fellow in the Department of Crime Science at University College London. Renowned for co-authoring the world’s leading scientific theory of crowd psychology, Professor Stott specializes in its practical applications for policing and preventing riots. With more than 35 years of experience, he has provided consultancy and advisory services to police forces, governments and sporting authorities worldwide. In recognition of his contributions to crowd psychology and the UK’s COVID-19 response, he was awarded an MBE in 2021.

Workshop 17.2 | Qualification Officer, Part B

• Matthew Rahde, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA
• Robert Graziano, Advanced Training Instructor, OPOTA

Pairs with Workshop 17.1. You must register for both parts of this workshop.

This two-part workshop – geared for non-instructors – explores firearms- and range-safety procedures as well as OPOTA’s RQT2 target and associated scoring procedures. Workshop participants review and learn to score qualification targets for the semiauto 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 listed OPOTA qualifications. Workshop participants are tested on the scoring procedures; those who pass are certified to administer and score OPOTA requalifications as a Qualification Officer.
NOTES: This course, which is being held off-site at Lake Erie Arms, requires no prerequisites. It is not an update to, a requirement of or a replacement for the instructor-level firearms courses required to be certified as an OPOTA Requalification Instructor or Basic Academy Firearms Instructor. Those who complete the course will not be certified as an instructor, be able to conduct any remedial training that may be required or be certified to teach in an academy capacity.

Workshop 21 | OPOTA Portal Demonstration

• Arturo “Art” DeLeon, Deputy Director of Professional Standards, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission
• Brittany Thompson-Brashears, CPT Manager, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission

This workshop provides comprehensive instruction in using the OPOTA Portal for managing advanced training courses, accessing public records and efficiently handling administrative tasks. Participants gain proficiency in registering for courses and maintaining accurate training records.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Art DeLeon started with the Ohio Police Training Academy (OPOTA) in July 2022 as a Certification Specialist and was recently promoted to Deputy Director of Professional Standards. Before joining OPOTA, he was a felony Probation Officer and ran the Delaware County Drug Court, focusing on pretrial supervision.

As OPOTC’s CPT Manager, Brittany Thompson-Brashears oversees continuing professional training for the state of Ohio. She began her career with the Attorney General’s Office in 2006 and, two years later, was named Administrative Professional for CPT. In April 2014, she was promoted to Certification Specialist, overseeing opening and closing audits, approving instructor applications of all academy programs and reviewing peace officer appointments. She has been CPT Manager since December 2023, coordinating and overseeing CPT and providing guidance to peace officers on CPT issues. Brittany has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and two master’s degrees – one in criminal justice administration and the other in public administration.

Workshop 22 | Section 1983 Litigation and Law Enforcement

• Westley Phillips, Chief of Civil Litigation, Office of Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein
• Jeff Furbee, Chief Police Legal Adviser, Office of Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein
• Alana Tanoury, Assistant City Attorney, Officer of Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein

Section 1983 litigation refers to lawsuits brought under Section 1983 (civil action for deprivation of rights) of Title 42 of the United States Code (42 U.S.C. § 1983). In this workshop, three Columbus assistant city attorneys review controlling case law regarding qualified immunity for peace officers, uses of force, deadly force, the duty to intervene, threats of force, Tasers, allegations of bad tactics leading up to a use of force, the duty to provide medical care, malicious prosecution claims, and home entries and searches. The presenters also review video footage (mainly body-worn-camera video and cruiser video) of previous incidents and invite workshop participants to analyze them based on the controlling legal standards.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Westley Phillips has been an attorney for 20 years. He currently is an Assistant City Attorney serving as Chief of the Civil Litigation Section in the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. He has litigated numerous law enforcement cases in federal and state courts, both at trial and on appeal. Westley has frequently presented on law enforcement-related litigation topics at both the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association and Capital University Law School. He is a 2004 graduate of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Jeffrey S. Furbee has worked as an attorney for 30 years, including the past 20 as an Assistant City Attorney for Columbus assigned as Chief Legal Adviser to the Division of Police. In this role, he provides legal advice, information, guidance and legal training to the department and its officers. His passion is providing proactive in-person and written legal training and information to officers, believing that the more legal information officers have, the better they perform. Jeff previously worked in the Civil Litigation Section of the City Attorney’s Office, where one of his primary responsibilities was representing officers in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil lawsuits. He still takes an active role in evaluating the city’s police liability. Jeff began his career as an Assistant City Prosecutor for Columbus, ultimately specializing in prosecuting domestic violence and abuse cases, for which he received a Mayor’s Award for Excellence. For the past 15 years, he has been a frequent presenter on legal topics for CLE credit for the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association. He earned his law degree from Capital University.

Alana Tanoury began working as an Assistant City Attorney for Columbus in 2020. She is part of the Civil Litigation Section, which represents the city and its employees in various civil litigation matters. One of her primary responsibilities is representing officers in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil lawsuits. Alana previously was an associate attorney at Steptoe & Johnson, focusing on energy and business litigation. She also clerked for Magistrate Judges Elizabeth Preston Deavers and Chelsey Vascura at the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Alana has a bachelor’s degree and law degree from The Ohio State University. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2014.

Workshop 23 | Demand Reduction in Human Trafficking: Trauma and Purchasing Sex

• Katie Howell, Advocacy Services Manager, Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
• Julius Payne, Program Coordinator, Kent State University

This course helps participants break down the false perception of human trafficking that is provided by media sources and depicted in Hollywood films. It touches on both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, with areas of focus including what a trafficker looks like, why trafficking is a lucrative business and how traffickers recruit victims. The presenters give a brief overview of the Stop the Cycle programming, or "john school," including the purpose behind this court-ordered program. They identify common characteristics of those who purchase sex and how, based on screening tool data and self-reported testimonies, their own childhood trauma affects their decision to buy sex. In addition, they explore the connection among the purchase of sex, the impact of sex buying on survivors of human trafficking, and how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) heighten one’s vulnerability to human trafficking. Also discussed are future area of research.

Workshop 24 | Responding to Mental Health Issues (CPT mandatory updates)

• Paul Hartinger, Public Safety Instructor, Great Oaks Career Campuses, an OPOTA Regional Training Provider

One of the primary jobs of a police officer these days is responding to situations involving an individual suffering a mental-health crisis. This course leave participants with a basic understanding of these calls for service, providing an overview of the tools, skills and options for responding successfully to such challenges.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Paul Hartinger’s law enforcement career spanned 33 years, including 28 with the Blue Ash Police Department. He began his career as a Patrol Officer and retired in 2018 as Chief of the Blue Ash Department. He has been training officers since 2004, instructing on a range of topics – from basic academy courses to executive leadership. He served as the Public Safety Services Supervisor for a local career tech center, producing police and fire training programs. A certified instructor for the Ohio Basic Peace Officer Academy, he teaches many advanced courses. He has produced, coordinated, consulted with and promoted training programs for area organizations to improve officer skills, safety, resilience, communication and interaction, with a concentration on crisis intervention and de-escalation skills. Paul is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, the Police Executive Leadership College and the FBI National Academy.

Workshop 27 | Working Plainclothes in Patrol

• Troy Walters, Officer, Columbus Division of Police

A police agency's survival training for plainclothes officers must reflect the nature of those officers’ tasks and any potential associated danger. Many agencies address criminal activity by deploying a directed patrol using officers who are familiar with the environment and know the neighborhood. These plainclothes officers often conduct covert surveillance, which may involve monitoring the activities of suspected criminals, gathering evidence of illegal transactions, or tracking the movements of persons of interest. Therefore, plainclothes officers face potential dangers that uniformed officers easily avoid. This workshop is targeted to patrol supervisors, detectives and officers who typically work in uniform but are sometimes given plainclothes assignments. It identifies the training, tactics, equipment requirements and procedures associated with plainclothes operations and basic guidelines regarding interactions and confrontations with officers who might be less readily identifiable. Topics include safety, critical thinking, equipment and ergonomics, identification of suspects, surveillance and more.