Also of note were excellent courses I missed, most are friends I’ve met at ILEETA as well: Randy Murphy and Darrel Ross presented, “Human Factors Research and Use of Force Liability”; Tim Janowick from the Mount Pleasant (IL) PD instructed “The Trainer, Leadership, and Organizational Culture”; Brian Hill from the Federal Reserve Police Department gave a presentation on “Developing Exceptional Training Staff”; “The Winning Mind: Secrets of Survival Thinking” was the course taught by Dave Grossi who taught the Street Survival program for Calibre Press for many years and now runs Grossi Consulting; Marshall Schmitt whom I’ve known for many years taught “Real World Training – Patrol Rifle”; two of the finest legal minds available to LE, Laura Scarry and Michael Brave both presented this yearMy own contribution to the conference was a program in the instructor development category titled, “The Path of the Warrior Mentor.”  Scanning the program I’m saddened to think I couldn’t attend these programs as well as so many excellent courses I’ve not mentioned.

Live-fire firearms courses were given by Chris Cerino of CCTG (Chris Cerino Training Group) – “Diagnosing Shooters”; Todd Fletcher (Bend, OR P.D.) taught “Coaching the Fundamentals: It’s the Trigger!”.  Additional live-fire programs were taught by: Ben Kurata (Reduced Light Firearms Instructor Development; John Farnam (Patrol Rifle Instructor Development); Bank Miller (Shooting on Steel Instructor Development); (Low-light Survival Course Development) by Ed Santos and several others.

My own contributions to this year’s schedule was a course in the instructor development category I titled “The Path of the Warrior Mentor” about the path we take as instructors, how important modeling and mentoring are and sadly the roadblocks or conflicts we encounter along our path.  In addition I had the honor of sitting on the dais as a panel member in the “Deadly Force Expert Panel” chaired by Massad Ayoob. 

What makes the ILEETA Conference different from many training programs unique is that it is a peer organization.  Although instructors may be presenting it is understood that every student brings much to the table based on his or her experiences and training.  All opinions are respected or the instructor will be asked to leave.

Below 100

Below 100 was started based on a conversation I was party to during dinner two years ago at ILEETA.  The concept was that we cannot ever expect line of duty deaths to zero based on the nature of our work.  A reasonable and achievable goal, however, is to reduce our deaths to ‘below 100.’  Distilled down to “The Five Tenets” – Wear your seatbelt, Wear your vest, Watch your speed, WIN – What’s Important Now?, and Remember: Complacency Kills! the program has been presented across the country.  The Below 100 program was well instructed by Travis Yates of the Tulsa Police Department and Brian Willis from Winning Mind Training. 

It is my belief that the Below 100 message is simple and should be advocated far and wide throughout LE to reduce preventable deaths of both civilians and officers.  I’m on board and so should you be.  Let us do whatever we can to reduce line of duty deaths to “Below 100.”

I’ve made the argument for why I attended this year’s ILEETA Conference and have done so over the past eight or so years.  I’ll be there in Wheeling, Illinois next year for the 10^thAnniversary ILEETA Conference if at all possible.  If you’re not a member, you should join and if you can you should attend the training conference.  It is the best LE training event in town, bar none.

Web Links:

• ILEETA
• The Below 100 Program
• Advanced Tactical Concepts

About The Author:

Kevin Davis is a full-time officer assigned to the training bureau where he specializes in use of force, firearms and tactical training. With over 23 years in law enforcement, his previous experience includes patrol, corrections, narcotics and he is a former team leader and lead instructor for his agency's SWAT team with over 500 call-outs in tactical operations.