Registration Desk Hours

Registration Desk Hours: 8:00AM - 12:00PM

Welcome Remarks

Conference chairs: 
Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight  
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Yasmin Brown, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services 
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

‘If You See It, You Can Be It’: Achieving Your Dreams Through Hard Work and Persistence

Hear about Sheryl Victorian’s inspirational journey to becoming a police chief. She will discuss the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped her career, offering valuable insights on leadership, perseverance, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and unsolicited sponsorship in achieving success. It will inspire you to pursue your ambitions with confidence and determination. 

Sheryl D. Victorian, PhD, Chief of Police 
City of Waco 

Panel Discussion: Secrets to Long-Term Success in Law Enforcement

• Hear from a panel of highly successful women in law enforcement and learn about the barriers they’ve overcome 
• Explore the progress women have made in this profession and get inspiration to use that progress to your advantage 
• Discuss the challenges women still face and strategies to rise above them 

Moderator:
Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight
Maryland-National Capital Park Police

Tricia Putnam, Major, Chief Deputy 
Clarke County Sheriff’s Office 

Vera Bumpers, Chief of Police (retired)
Harris County Metro Transit Authority Police Department

Setting Goals for Your Career and Going for It

•  Understand the importance of goal setting to take charge of your own career path 
• Assess your own strengths and passions to determine the right direction for you 
• Learn strategies to increase your skills and get the assignments you want 

Ettice Brickus, Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Patrol, Area 2 Commander 
Baltimore Police Department 

Rochelle Jones, Detective, Community Outreach Coordinator & Mason the Comfort Dog’s Handler
Portsmouth Police Department 

Session information to be announced

Session information to be announced 

Meet the Press: The Ins and Outs of Media Relations

• Prepare to speak to the media, especially as you move up the ranks in your organization
• Learn best practices for communicating during a crisis
• Understand what you can and cannot (or should not) say to reporters
• Explore the career path of public information officer

Emily McKinley, Deputy Chief of Police
Louisville Metro Police Department

Matthew Sanders, Media & Public Relations Commander
Louisville Metro Police Department

Case Study: Solving the Childcare Dilemma

• Learn about one police department’s concierge-level daycare program for employees with non-traditional work hours 
• Discover the steps they took over two years to develop the program and the lessons they learned along the way 
• Get insights into how this program is helping officers with work-life balance and helping the department retain quality employees 

Kim Stevenson, Equity Program Manager 
Baltimore Police Department 

Survive and Thrive: Overcome Professional and Personal Trials and Come Back Even Stronger

• Hear how female officers have tackled serious personal and professional adversities 
• Explore ways to get the help you need to recover and heal from traumatic experiences on the job 
• Learn techniques to find work-life balance and take care of your own mental health 

Melinda Linas, Chief of Police
Lindenhurst Police Department 

Shellie Paiva, Major (retired)
Honolulu Police Department 

Closing Remarks

Conference chairs: 
Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight  
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Yasmin Brown, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services 
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Exhibit Hall Open

Welcome Remarks

Conference chairs: 
Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight  
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Yasmin Brown, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services 
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Advancing Mental Health and Wellness with Peer Support Programs

• Explore how to establish a program for recruiting and training officers to be volunteer peer support counselors 
• Discover ways police officers can provide emotional and mental health support to each other 
• Find out how peer support programs can reduce the stigma of talking about mental health issues and help bolster recruitment and retention efforts 

Na’Shayla Nelson, PhD, Assistant Chief of Police 
Portsmouth Police Department 

Recruitment Strategies to Attract and Keep More Women

• Learn techniques to attract more quality female candidates to your organization 
• Explore ways to collaborate with high schools and colleges to introduce law enforcement careers to women at a young age 
• Enlist your existing female officers to help boost recruitment and retention efforts 

Ettice Brickus, Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Patrol, Area 2 Commander
Baltimore Police Department

Mike Boward, Sergeant, Personnel and Training Unit 
Fort Collins Police Department 

Marvin (Ben) Haiman, Executive Director, Center for Public Safety and Justice 
University of Virginia 

Women Supporting Women: Stop the Cycle of Competition and Start Lifting Each Other Up

• Get ideas for starting a women’s mentorship program 
• Discuss the problem of competition among women in law enforcement and how to stop it 
• Learn how to create your village of support and find mentors when there’s no formal program 
• Gain strategies for addressing and overcoming imposter syndrome 

Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight  
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Yasmin Brown, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services
Maryland-National Capital Park Police

How to Build Your Confidence and Get a Promotion

• Learn the importance of knowing your organization’s promotional process, understanding that every agency’s process is different 
• Get tips and learn about resources that will help you pass promotional exams 
• Build your resume and practice interviewing techniques 
• Prepare for the assessment center 

Shayla Collins, Human Resources Manager 
City of Bakersfield/Bakersfield Police Department 

Tanya Meisenholder, Ph.D., Director
NYU Policing Project
Former Deputy Commissioner (NYPD)

Tools and Tips for Young Managers and Leaders

• Gain strategies for effective staff management, especially when managing men and people who are older than you 
• Get tips for being a leader when you aren’t in a management position 
• Hone the interpersonal relationship skills that will help you earn respect 

Kristen Wright-Van Meter, Deputy 
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office 
Former Recruiting Sergeant, Arizona Department of Public Safety 

Camay Curry, Corrections Lieutenant 
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office  

Closing Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:  
Dr. Vereen Barton, Assistant Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Accountability and Oversight  
Maryland-National Capital Park Police 

Yasmin Brown, Assistant Chief, Patrol Services 
Maryland-National Capital Park Police