This year’s Symposium brought hundreds of members and their guests to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa for two days of training and networking on June 5 and 6. Attendees participated in courses and breakout sessions led by industry experts from an array of fields on important issues affecting law enforcement throughout California and nationwide. 

Training Coordinator Cathy Knape and the Training Committee presented trainings that largely focused on strengthening and ensuring the success of associations, with topics covering leadership, internal affairs representation and collective bargaining negotiations. The training lineup also included sessions on wellness, legislation, peer support, retirement and duty to intercede. There was also a Leadership Roundtable Q&A panel, as well as classes tailored to law enforcement spouses and significant others in attendance. 

In addition, members heard from Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputies Emma Ramponi and Alexander Spencer in our featured session, where they discussed the ambush attack they were involved in that took the life of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller in June 2020, the effect the incident had on them and the path they took to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder.

We thank our members and attendees who took advantage of the many training opportunities offered at this event. We look forward to seeing you at PORAC Institute trainings throughout the year and at next year’s Symposium!