It Takes a Community!

It was an honor to sponsor and attend the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 123rd Annual Conference in San Diego, California a few weeks ago. The event had a great turnout of more than sixteen thousand, including 11,453 delegates and 4,945 exhibitors.

Shelley Zimmerman, Chief of Police, San Diego Police Department, opened the conference with a fantastic speech about how public safety is a shared responsibility and the need to keep communities safe through collaboration, communication and information sharing.

Simon Sinek, the author of “Start with Why” and “Leaders Eat Last” also delivered an exceptional keynote during the Opening Ceremony, sharing how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust, and change.

“It’s not the people, it’s the environment. That’s why we have leaders,” said Simon.

IACP / Cisco Community Policing Awards Reception

Each year since 1998, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Community Policing Committee has recognized the best community policing practices of agencies around the world. Entries are categorized by population and feature innovative ideas that utilize the power of community policing, through collaboration and partnerships, to make communities safer.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists, including an international winner, The Office of Superintendent Police, Balod District, India (Population of 250,000+ residents) for its Community Policing Initiative.

Committee Meetings and Educational Sessions

Attendees from around the world had the option to participate in 38 IACP committee meetings and more than two hundred educational sessions.

One of the sessions I found most interesting was one that covered Digital Evidence Management in the Cloud presented by Alison Brooks, IDC, Research Director, Global Smart Cities and Public Safety and Eldon Amoroso, Birch Forest Projects Inc., Consultant. The research, which was conducted by Canada’s Center for Security Studies Program, addressed core areas in cloud, including how to manage stakeholders & governance, technology scope and parameters, implementation, security provisions and key business outcomes.

General Assembly, Uniform Day, and Host Chiefs Night

The IACP Elections Commission Report was presented during the General Assembly. All police officials were asked to wear their department’s dress uniform to celebrate the association’s diversity and internationalism. This created a spectacular visual display of uniforms from around the world. Speakers from around the globe also addressed critical issues confronting law enforcement.

Annual Banquet

The IACP Annual Banquet featured the formal swearing-in of the 2016–2017 IACP President as well as the Board of Officers. It was a privilege to spend an evening with so many wonderful men and women from around the world. Congratulations to the 2016–2017 IACP President, Chief Donald W. De Lucca!

We loved engaging with the community online as well, check out some of our favorite tweets below!

Special thanks to IACP and our Cisco partners who demonstrated digital public safety solutions in the Exhibitor Hall.

We look forward to the 124th annual conference being held in Philadelphia, PA.

To learn more, visit IACP, Police Chief Magazine, and the IACP Blog.