*PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR FIELD TRAINING COORDINATOR AND FIELD TRAINING SUPERVISOR*

NAFTO 2024 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

JUNE 26th – 28th, 2024

LOCATION:    Hilton Salt Lake City Center

                  255 S W Temple St. 

                  Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101

NAFTO is proud to offer some outstanding training at our 2024 3-Day National Conference in Salt Lake City, UT.  We are presenting a new format, with 24 different sessions, over 3 full days of classes, to maximize your training experience!  This conference is specifically designed for Field Trainers working in Patrol, Detention, Communications, and Emergency Medicine. NAFTO is working to prepare your Field Training Unit for the challenges of 21st Century Policing by providing a comprehensive and client-oriented curriculum. NAFTO presents course topics including Constitutional Policing, 21st Century Policing, Communication, Remedial Training, Standardization, Interpersonal Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Instructor Development, Reducing Liability, and Program Defensibility.

Opening presentation by special guest Ashley Ferris

Ashley Ferris was a law enforcement officer with Lakewood Police Department in Lakewood, Colorado from January of 2018 to June of 2023. Before becoming an LEO, Ashley was an All-Source Intelligence Analyst with the United States Army and a project manager for a Denver area developer. During her tenure as an LEO, Ashley was appointed to several leadership, mentoring, and instructing positions. Some of those positions included Field Training Officer, Crisis Intervention Coach, Public Information Officer, CPR and Tactical Medical Care Instructor, amongst others.

Ashley was assigned as a Training and Recruiting Specialist for Lakewood Police Department from September of 2022 to June of 2023. During this time, she developed lesson plans and instructional materials for the Jefferson County Combined Regional Academy.

Ashley has received more than 15 awards since her hire date as a law enforcement officer, most of which were a result of an incident on December 27, 2021. Those awards include a Purple Heart, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022 by the American Police Hall of Fame, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022 and Valor Award, and the International Footprint Association Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022. During that 2021 incident, Ashley was seriously injured and ultimately medically retired from the department in 2023.

General Session presentation by special guest Mike Warren (Virtual Academy)

Michael Warren is a 23 year veteran of the Novi Police Department in the Detroit Metropolitan area. During his time with his agency he has served as a patrol officer, FTO, detective, DEA Task Force Officer, patrol sergeant, and Training and Standards Sergeant and oversaw the agency's use of force training program.

A big believer in life-long learning, Michael has earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition, he is a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Police Staff and Command. Michael was certified as a Force Science Analyst and has continued his studies in this realm.Michael has studied extensively the effects of stress on human decision-making. With this knowledge, he focused on constant improvement of training programs at the agency and in his teaching roles to provide the most effective use of training time and dollars.

General Session presentation by special guest Lewis "Von" Kliem (Force Science)

With over 30 years in the criminal justice profession, Von worked as a civilian police officer, attorney, educator, and author. He was a senior policy attorney for Lexipol and is currently the Director of Consulting and Executive Editor at Force Science. As a litigation consultant, Von is involved in some of the most high-profile use-of-force cases in the U.S. and internationally. His team evaluates police practices, policy, law, and human factors in police decision-making and performance. As a nationally recognized use-of-force expert, Von has presented training for the FBI LEEDS program, the U.S. Marshals, the American Counsel of Second Amendment Lawyers, the Use of Force Summit, the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division, and countless local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, police executives, and attorneys. As a lawyer, Von worked as a Senior Prosecutor, Police Legal Advisor, Senior Policy Attorney, Military Magistrate, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Operational Law Attorney, Intelligence Law Attorney, and Domestic Operational Law Attorney. In addition to use-of-force law and constitutional policing, Von specialized in the response, investigation, and prosecution of family violence and sexual assault cases. As an Army Judge Advocate (Retired), Von was recognized as an Expert Military Justice Practitioner and a highly sought-after police practices, investigations, and use-of-force legal expert. As a member of the Army Staff, he supported some of the Pentagon's top attorneys and helped draft DoD and Army use-of-force policy. Von is a graduate of the 17-week Force Science Advanced Specialist Course and the FLETC Police Legal Advisors Training Program. He holds a Bachelor's in Crime and Delinquency Studies, a Master's in Criminal Justice Administration, a Law Degree (J.D.), and a Master's in Law post-graduate degree (LL.M.). Von is licensed to practice law in VA and KS.

General Session presentation by special guest Anthony Bandiero (Blue To Gold Training)

Anthony Bandiero is the Senior Legal Instructor for Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training. He is also a Nationally Certified Instructor, and many consider him to be one of the best legal instructors in the nation. He has studied constitutional law for over twenty years and has taught search and seizure to over 30,000 officers around the country. Before teaching search and seizure full-time, Anthony was a sergeant with the Nevada Highway Patrol in Las Vegas, Nevada. His assignments included traffic enforcement, emergency driving instructor, and training supervisor. Anthony also has experience as a municipal officer with the Elko Police Department. Anthony's education includes a bachelor's and a master's degree from Harvard University. He graduated from Gonzaga School of Law in Spokane, Washington, and is a practicing member of the Washington and New Jersey State Bar.

General Session presentation by special guest Jason Devlin (NextGen FTO)

Sergeant Jason Devlin has been a police officer with the City of Scottsdale since May 2003. During his time in law enforcement, Jason has served as a patrol officer, DUI enforcement officer, patrol sergeant, and is currently the sergeant of the Professional Development Unit. His current duties include supervision of the Field Training Program, Emerging Leaders Program, and Adaptive Decision-Making Program. Jason has been a keynote speaker and instructor at multiple law enforcement conferences on training development, adaptive decision-making, and field training. Prior to becoming a police officer, Jason was a 7th grade mathematics teacher. He also operates a law enforcement training and consulting business called Thin Blue Line of Leadership which interacts with an international law enforcement community through multiple social media platforms. 

General Session presentation by special guest Paige Arnone (Firstgevity)

Paige is an AZPOST certified instructor, entrepreneur, retired skydiver, coffee connoisseur, and midcentury modern enthusiast. She is certified in teaching Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Yin Yoga. Paige's childhood was filled with trauma, loneliness, and pain. Yet, she learned how to survive and protect herself from a very young age. She was born into an unstable home environment, where her living place frequently changed. Growing up, Paige faced many challenges and had to learn how to be self-sufficient. Her biological parents were absent, both addicts. Her dad was in and out of prison. She had little family support and no one to be there for her. This left her extremely reactive and angry. As a yoga teacher and practitioner for over ten years, she's seen the transformative power of yoga firsthand. The emotional and physical benefits have changed her life in indescribable ways. She is grateful to share this practice with her students and help them transform their lives the way it's transformed hers.

Breakout Sessions Offered:

18 Breakout session topics and 2 panel discussions will include:

Instructor Development, Deficient Trainees, Communication, Training Mindset, Health & Wellness, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching & Mentoring, Cognitive Learning, Contemporary Training Needs, and Case Law Updates.

Questions can be e-mailed to director@nafto.org

LODGING IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ATTENDEES. The Hilton is offering an amazing room rate of $194.00/night, and we have a room block of 100 rooms per night.  Last year we sold out of rooms. Don't wait to make your reservation!  https://book.passkey.com/event/50726539/owner/1422/home

Cost savings considerations at this year's conference:

Due to restriction from the venue, REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED by June 13th, 2024. Seating limited to the 1st 175 applicants.

Early Conference Check-In Begins Tuesday, June 25th, at 1800 Hours, on the 2nd floor, in the event space area.

Don't forget, there's still time to submit applications for Master Field Training Officer and nominations for Field Training Officer of the Year. All applications and nominations must be received by March 15th, 2023.  Master Field Training Officer certification costs your agency nothing and is a great way to recognize the hard work and dedication of your department's Field Training Officers.