Contact us toll-free at: 1 (888) 746-8869 or email at: info@policereserve.org
PLEASE NOTE: The Conference Hotel has a deadline of August 1, 2021 to receive our conference room rate. Please do not wait to make your reservation!
Arizona's COVID 19 information can be found at : https://www.visitarizona.com/covid-19/covid-19-updates/
Conference Hotel: The Westin Phoenix Downtown
The Westin Phoenix Downtown, the conference hotel, is located at 333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 85004, and it is within walking distance to restaurants, a drug store, a grocery store, and coffee shops, etc. The hotel is also close to the public light rail transit line for other transportation throughout the downtown and some limited adjacent areas. The hotel's nightly rate in November is normally $289 per night or higher (especially with NASCAR in town!). Make your reservation as quickly as possible (NOW!) to get our VLEOA rate of only $145 per night- you can even arrive early or stay later than the conference at the same rate.
Some notes about our stay at this hotel:
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Breakfast is not included with the hotel price, but VLEOA will provide a light breakfast for all attendees on conference dates.
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Complimentary basic Wi-Fi in guestrooms and public areas, excludes meeting/convention area (must be a Marriott member, or sign up for membership at hotel).
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Guestroom rates are good seven (7) days pre- and post- the program dates and are based on availability. Our block of rooms is certain to run out, so don't wait to make your reservation.
Reservations can be made directly with the Westin Phoenix Downtown by calling 1-602-429-3526 to make your reservation. Please request the GROUP rate for Volunteer Law Enforcement Officer Alliance (VLEOA) Conference. Or, the preferred and easist method to make your reservation is on line: Click here to make hotel reservation
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do not make your air reservations until your hotel booking is confirmed.
IMPORTANT: We encourage everyone to make their reservations early to avoid missing out on cost-savings and on this spectacular event. Hotel policy is cancellations made at least 72 hours in advance get 100% refund (no charge). VLEOA Conference refund policy is 100% refund up until 45 days before the event (September 17, 2021). Please be sure to review your airline refund policy.
Please note: All participants should closely follow travel restrictions and safety protocols that are in place for COVID-19.
VLEOA is not responsible for additional costs incurred by attendees or the inability to travel related to the Pandemic or for any other reason.
Hosted by the
Phoenix Arizona Police Department
Corporate Platinum Sponsors:
Conference Sponsors:
General Conference Schedule
Wednesday
November 3, 2021
10am-6pm: Registration for VLEOA Conference at conference hotel
3pm-5pm: "Reserve Policing Best Practices" Roundtable Discussion
Thursday
November 4, 2021
6:30am-8am: Breakfast hosted by VLEOA
8am-11:45am: UNIFORM
Opening Ceremonies, photographs, Plenary Session
11:45am-12:15pm: Change out of uniforms
12:45pm: Travel to afternoon tracks and box lunch provided
6:15: Return to conference hotel/Dinner on own
7:30: Opportunities for ridealongs, police tours, etc. Hospitality suite open.
Friday
November 5, 2021
8am-8:45am: Bus transport to police driving track and police academy. Boxed breakfast provided.
9am: Tracks of training: A) Police Driving; B) Police Academy
Box lunch provided
5:30pm: return to conference hotel
7:30pm: Opportunities for ridealongs, police tours, etc. Hospitality suite open.
Saturday
November 6, 2021
8:30am-1:30pm: Optional A) Mountain Hike and Helicopter Rescue Demo, or; B) Lake Tours at Lake Pleasant.
12pm-5pm: Lunch on your own and free time.
2:30pm: VLEOA Board of Directors and Advisors meeting (all conference attendees invited)
5pm-8pm: Bus transportation and Closing Ceremony and Banquet
8:30pm: buses arrive back at conference hotel. Hospitality suite open
Conference Registration and Pricing
Regular Registration Pricing
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After August 1, 2021:
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$139 for members
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$209 for non-members.
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You won't want to miss this!
Conference Keynote Speaker
Jim Glennon
Calibre Press, Inc.
Jim Glennon is a nationally recognized instructor, speaker, author and training consultant who is widely known for his expertise in law enforcement leadership, officer safety, and tactical communication. For 30 years he served with the Lombard (IL) Police Department where he retired at the rank of Lieutenant. During his tenure, Jim was appointed the first Commander of Investigations in 1998 for the newly formed DuPage County Major Crimes (Homicide) Task Force, where he was responsible for leading an elite unit of more than 30 detectives from 16 Chicago-area law enforcement agencies. Designed to employ speed, efficiency and an exceptional level of expertise to confront major crimes, the task force remains among the nation’s preeminent investigatory groups.
In addition to earning a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Police Management, Jim is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Staff and Command College where he was elected class president. Upon graduation, he was awarded the highly prestigious Franklin M. Kreml Award, established in honor of the founder of Northwestern’s Center for Public Safety and given to the student who “best displays the dedication, devotion, ethics, sense of justice and other attributes that exemplify the kind of leadership that is needed in today’s law enforcement community.”
Jim is a prolific writer whose work has appeared in books, including Arresting Communication which he authored and Street Survival II which he co-authored, as well as leading law enforcement trade publications, newsletters, Websites and in other online forums. In 2010, Jim was awarded the coveted “Maggie Award for Best Online Columnist” earned in recognition of his widely popular column, Surviving the Streets, which was published on PoliceOne.com and regularly viewed by hundreds of thousands of law enforcement professionals worldwide.
General Conference Information
Arrival and Departure Transportation
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As the host agency, Phoenix Police will arrange for transport shuttles on Wednesday, November 3 from 0800 – 1400.
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If you arrive at Terminal 3 or 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Wednesday, November 3, please use the PHX Sky Train Service, a free automated train, to travel to the 44th Street & Washington Station. Trains operate every 3 to 5 minutes. Please follow airport signage or look for an airport information desk representative for directions to the PHX Sky Train Service.
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The PHX Sky Train is on Level 2 of Terminal 3
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The PHX Sky Train is on Level 3 of Terminal 4
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If you are claiming checked baggage, please look for the Phoenix Police officers stationed in the baggage claim areas of Terminals 3 or 4, and they will provide directions to the PHX Sky Train service. If you become lost or need further assistance, please call the PHX Reserve Division office at (602) 534-9000 and the office will assist you.
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Shuttle buses and other transport vehicles for the VLEOA conference will be available in front of the 44th Street and Washington Station for transportation to the conference hotel from 8 am until 2pm on Wednesday, November 3rd only.
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Another option for arriving conference attendees is to arrange for your own ride-share or taxi transportation to the conference hotel.
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Ride-sharing companies (Uber, Lyft, etc.) operate at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If you prefer to use ride-share companies for your transportation to the conference hotel, please follow airport signage, or seek information from the general information booths at the airport for further details.
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Shuttles will also be available for transport from the hotel to the airport on Sunday, November 7 from 0700 - 1400.
Conference Transportation
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All transportation for the conference is Included in your conference registration. Bus and shuttle van transportation will be provided for all conference training activities at the police driving track and police academy on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5, for the special conference activities on Saturday, November 6, and for the police facility tours and observer ride-alongs during the evening hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please note: Buses and other conference transportation vehicles will operate strictly on time, and they will not wait for late arriving participants. Please carefully follow and adhere to the conference schedule.
Parking of Personal, Rented or Agency Vehicles
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If you choose to rent a vehicle, parking in downtown Phoenix is very limited and metered. The conference hotel will charge a daily overnight fee of $36.00 for daily parking privileges. Rental vehicles are not necessary or recommended, but that is the individual choice of each conference participant.
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The host agency has secured gratis parking for conference attendees who arrive by car and wish to park their car for the duration of the conference. This parking is located about 4 blocks from the conference hotel. If you are interested in utilizing this parking and need information, please send an email to info@policereserve.org and we will connect you with our conference hosts for details.
Attire
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Business casual (polo shirts and long pants with closed-toe athletic shoes), or polo shirts and BDUs, with closed toe athletic shoes or boots, are recommended attire for all events except for the opening ceremonies on Thursday, November 4 (Check out our new VLEOA Store for our 2021 Conference SALE items that might be great to wear during the conference - see "Our Store" tab above).
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The opening session of the conference will begin on Thursday, November 4 at 0800 in the hotel, following the breakfast sponsored by VLEOA from 0630-0745. Appropriate attire for the opening ceremony group photograph, and first group training session at the conference hotel on Thursday from 0800 – 1145 will be police uniforms, or business attire (i.e., coat & tie, etc.). We expect some local/state dignitaries to attend the opening ceremony.
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Conference participants will be asked to change out of their uniforms on Thursday, November 4 at 1145 (after the opening session, group photograph, and first training session).
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Uniforms and firearms WILL NOT BE PERMITTED during the dynamic training exercises and classroom training at the police driving track and police academy on Thursday, November 4 in the afternoon, all day Friday, November 5, and during the special activities on Saturday, November 6.
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Uniforms and firearms WILL NOT BE PERMITTED on ridealongs. If you choose to participate in this optional programming, please wear appropriate attire (business casual). Ballistic vests are optional and can be worn under outer clothing.
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The conference hotel has also requested that firearms not be openly worn or exhibited during the conference within the hotel, except during the uniform day portion of the opening session and uniform pictures, and the first training session at the hotel, if a weapon is required when you are in uniform, on Wednesday from 0800 -1145.
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Hats and eye protection/sunglasses are required for the firearms training exercises; sunscreen is recommended. Firearms and ammunition will be provided for the dynamic firearms training exercises. NO PERSONAL OR OUTSIDE AGENCY FIREARMS WILL BE PERMITTED for these training exercises.
Special Activities
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On Saturday, November 6, two special activities will be offered: (1) an easy hike in South Mountain Preserve with an injured-hiker police helicopter rescue demonstration; and (2) a tour of Lake Pleasant (one hour drive) with rides on police enforcement boats and dive team demonstrations. We will be collecting interest information from conference registrants on which would be preferred in the next couple of months, and access will be on a first-signed up, first-served basis.
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Appropriate attire for the special activities on Saturday, November 6 from 0830-1330 is causal, and appropriate for those activities, which may include shorts or other active wear consistent with the weather. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended. (Please remember: Phoenix is the "valley of the sun!")
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In addition to the special activities listed above, there will be free-time on Saturday, November 6 from approximately 1330 – 1700. A few other voluntary activities will be available (which may include: western ghost town tour; casino trip; NASCAR; internationally renowned Native American museum), among any other activities that participants may arrange on their own. Some limited transportation shuttles will be available from the hotel for these free-time activities. Ride-shares are also a suggested mode of transportation for these voluntary activities.
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The host agency has been able to secure reduced price NASCAR tickets. Once you have registered for the conference, please send an email to info@policereserve.org to receive a flyer with information on this opportunity after you have registered for the conference. These reduced price tickets will be on a first-come first-serve basis (limited to conference attendees) and are limited, they include: Discounted grandstand admissions for VLEOA conference guests; transportation from the conference hotel to Phoenix Raceway provided by the VLEOA Conference host agency; access to 1/2 mile long Fan Midway filled with vendors, photo opportunities, giveaways, performances, and prizes; and exclusive race day upgrades and add-ons.
Evening Meals and Events
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Participants will be on their own for dinner for each night of the conference, except for the closing banquet. Dining options will be available in the conference hotel and many nearby restaurants which are within walking distance of the hotel. Police facility tours (Crime Lab; Communications; Police Museum) and patrol observer ride-alongs will be offered in the evenings beginning at 1930 on Wednesday, November 3, Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5, for those who pre-register and have received confirmed reservations.
Conference Meals
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Boxed breakfasts for Friday, November 5, and boxed lunches for Thursday November 4, and Friday, November 5 will be provided.
Closing Banquet
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Bus transports for the closing banquet on Saturday, November 6 will depart the hotel at 1730. The closing banquet will be held from 1800 - 2030. Appropriate attire for the closing banquet is business causal. Some local or state dignitaries may attend the banquet. Closing banquet provided only for registered conference attendees. Guests/spouses of conference attendees who would like to attend the closing banquet can purchase a separate ticket for the banquet for $40, but must do so in advance.
Collectors Exchange and Raffle
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Back by popular demand! Please bring agency patches, challenge coins, pins and other agency mementos to trade with other conference participants. We also ask each conference attendee to consider bringing one item worth $15-25 or more for sale at our closing raffle, with proceeds to benefit the VLEOA. These items are most desired when they are police-related or are from a specific policing agency.
Come early or Stay Late in Phoenix
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Free and Cheap in Phoenix! Want to enjoy Phoenix without racking up the bills? Find free things to do in Greater Phoenix, including outdoors activities, museums, and more near you: see https://www.visitphoenix.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/free-and-cheap/
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Day Trips from Phoenix: https://www.visitphoenix.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/day-trips/
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Family Fun: Keeping the kids happy and entertained while you come to Phoenix for the conference? https://www.visitphoenix.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/family-fun/
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Day Hikes in Phoenix: https://www.visitphoenix.com/blog/post/best-hikes-in-phoenix/
Previous (recent)
International Training Conferences
2019 VLEOA Training Conference
Participants of 2019 VLEOA International Training Conference in Orlando, Florida
with Orange County Sheriff John Mina (center left) and
Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gene Spaulding (center right)
Hosted by the
Orange County Sheriff's Office
and co-hosted by the
Florida Highway Patrol
Thank you to all attendees for a GREAT conference!
2019 International Training Conference
October 9-12, 2019
Special Thanks to our VIP Guests and Keynote Speakers:
Sheriff John W. Mina has dedicated his life to public safety. He spent nearly 28 years with the Orlando Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and was appointed Chief of Police in 2014. For more than four years, he commanded 1,000 sworn and civilian OPD personnel and 100 volunteers. In November 2018, Orange County voters chose Mina as the 29th elected Sheriff. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is one of the nation's largest sheriff's offices, and has a budget of more than $300 million and over 2,700 sworn and civilian employees.
Colonel Gene S. Spaulding was appointed as the 14th Director of the Florida Highway Patrol on August 21, 2015. Colonel Spaulding brings over 26 years of Florida Highway Patrol knowledge and experience in serving the great state of Florida. He holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement third session of their Executive Leadership Seminar and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program. He serves as a member of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Highway Safety Committee.
Congresswoman Val Demings represents Florida's 10th District. The first in her family to graduate college, she became a social worker, then a police officer. In 2007, she made history by becoming Orlando’s first female Chief of Police. Chief Demings shepherded the department through the financial crisis, championed policing strategies that put the community first, and oversaw a 40% reduction in violent crime. She serves as a member of the United States House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees.
Mayor Jerry L. Demings was sworn in on Dec. 4, 2018 as the 5th elected Mayor of Orange County and is the first African-American to serve in the role. He oversees more than 8,000 Orange County employees and a $4.4 billion budget as the County’s chief executive officer. Always a trailblazer, Mayor Demings became the city of Orlando’s first African-American police chief in 1998 and was elected the first African-American Orange County Sheriff in 2008, a position to which he was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2016. Prior to his election to the position of sheriff, Mayor Demings served as an active volunteer reserve deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Thanks to our attendees, sponsors, and our Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department hosts for a very successful conference in 2018!
