Brian Mc Grew
VP of Education
There is no shortage of training classes available in the public safety sector. However, this abundance of training is actually what makes it hard to decipher which ones provide the highest impact. Here are my Top 5 Tips & Tricks for selecting the best training conferences.
1- Look for or confirm that the training is “Evidence-Based.”
Conferences that provide speakers sharing their perspectives and best practices have value, but not as much value as speakers who have published evidence-based research that shows certain practices will generate a repeatable successful result.
2- Look for training that matches your department’s highest priorities.
This probably is a given, but I’ve seen many times that participants go to training events because they are local or free. Although the training pertains to the improvement of public safety, it may have nothing to do with the department’s focus on reducing gang activity for example. The return on investment is much higher, even if you had to spend the money traveling across the country for 3 days for an evidence-based training on something related to your 5 year plan, than attending 3 days of local, free training on public safety subjects that are not as critical and are not evidence-based.
3- Always ask for an Agenda.
Advertisements for training are to capture your attention. Make sure the conference can back up the hype. Getting a copy of an agenda, even if it is in draft form can help you determine some key factors on how valuable the training may be. Make sure the featured speakers have more than 30 minutes to discuss the topic. Speakers that have 1.5 to 3 hours of time on a topic will be presenting more than their theories and perspectives. They will likely be sharing the details on how to implement their perspectives in your agency. Great speakers understand adult learning. With a larger block of time on the agenda they can include case studies, workshops, and/or a review of guides, policies or other resources they have designed.
4- Determine if Speakers are Nationally-known or Associated with the COPS Office or the Bureau of Justice Administration.
When you or one of your subordinates goes to a conference, there is only so much that can be retained and put to use at your agency. Retaining whatever level of information from a nationally-known speaker or one that has been associated with COPS Office or BJA grants would certainly provide a high return on investment of time and money.
5- Does the conference have a Theme?
A conference that has a theme like Gang Violence, Sex Trafficking, or Pro-Active Policing has more value than a conference with a hodgepodge of topics because attendees get multiple perspectives, ideas, and ways to be successful on that particular challenge in Public Safety instead of one way to think about 12 different challenges in Public Safety.
My last piece of advice is to go to a conference that matches the criteria above so you know for certain what a high impact training conference looks and feels like, and that all others should be measured against. So, if your agency is focused on Pro-Active, data-driven policing, the next opportunity to attend this kind of high impact/low cost educational conference is the SmartForce™ Command Academy Aug. 8-10 in Breckenridge, CO. This conference will feature Nationally-known speakers that have participated in both BJA and COPS Office grants and have published evidence-based data. Email me and I’ll send you the draft agenda. Then, click here for more details and to register before all the seats are taken.
