The UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) had an audience of more than 14,000 law enforcement professionals at the 116th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver Oct. 3-8.
This is the first year LEIC hosted a boost at the conference, which is one of the largest training and exhibit events offered.
LEIC provided information on and showcased all of the programs it offers.
Whether investigators were focused on crime scene training, supervisors on management and ethics training, or officers on school safety, homeland security or community policing tactics, LEIC was able to respond to their questions and offer suggestions on how best to use their training funds.
“A huge benefit for LEIC, was our ability to meet face-to-face with senior executives and explain the positive aspects of attending our national programs, while introducing them to others who have made that choice and seen the increased potential gained by their employees’ participation,” said Don Green, interim executive director of LEIC. “Another beneficial aspect of attending such a well known and respected conference is the ability to visit a wide range of vendors offering the latest in technical, tactical and training needs.”
During the event, national and international chiefs, sheriffs and their representatives have the opportunity to attend more than 150 workshops and forums covering every aspect of law enforcement.
As a part of the conference, IACP presents the August Vollmer Award to an agency or agencies that have contributed to excellence in forensic science. As the initial winner of the award in 2007, LEIC’s National Forensic Academy has partnered with IACP to award each succeeding year’s winners a tuition- free scholarship to the NFA.
This year’s recipients were the Santa Ana (Calif.) Police Department for Innovation in Forensic Technology, the Houston Police Department for Significant Investigative Value in a Major Crime and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for Enhancement of Forensic Capability by a Forensic Science Provider.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division and the National Forensic Science Technology Center also received the Vollmer Award, but because they are federally funded and private, respectively, they are not eligible to receive the NFA scholarship. ■
