Writers’ Police Academy: 2017 Offers Thrills and Excitement … and Horses!!
The 2017 Writers’ Police Academy is a culmination of thrills, action, learning, and fun. Lots and lots of fun.
When it comes down to quality hands-on police, fire, forensics, and EMS instruction, the WPA stands alone, which is why writers, readers, and fans travel from all around the world to attend this unique event.
Now, for the big news of the day. We are extremely pleased to announce that we have additional space! Yes, you too can attend this one-of-a-kind event and train alongside your friends and/or favorite authors. You might even see a familiar face or two from TV.
But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself.
Here’s a list of just some of the action waiting for YOU at the 2017 Writers’ Police Academy. Don’t forget to check out the exciting HIT classes!
Sign up today at Writers’ Police Academy. Space is limited, so hurry!
Also, you could qualify for a generous $150 discount courtesy of Sisters in Crime! For details, visit the WPA website at the address above.
And now, without further ado and to show that we’re not “horsing around” …
2017 Writers’ Police Academy Workshop Descriptions
ANTIQUE FIREARMS
INSTRUCTOR: TROY JANDY
A show and tell of antique firearms and their modifications and functions.
ARMED IN AMERICA
INSTRUCTOR: ATF SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT RICK MCMAHAN
Special Agent Rick McMahan leads a detailed discussion on the historical events that have been impetus to the nation’s guns laws. Also, legal commerce of firearms, and dispelling the typical gun myths so often seen on TV and in books.
ARSON INVESTIGATION
Yes, there will be fire and smoke, and firefighters!
ASIAN AND NATIVE GANGS
INSTRUCTOR: MATT NINHAM & CHEE VANG
Gang culture, signs, symbols, and language
BLOODSTAIN PATTERNS AND SPATTER
INSTRUCTOR: R.J. BEAM
The science behind bloodstain patterns and spatter. Hands-on session that includes time with SPATTER HEAD!
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
INSTRUCTOR: JUDGE KEVIN RATHBURN
Learn the inner workings of the courts and the roles of the key players—judges, clerks, prosecutors, defense attorney, expert witnesses, Grand Jury, and more. Class takes place in an actual courtroom setting!
CSI: FROM FIRST RESPONDER TO EVIDENCE COLLECTION
INSTRUCTOR: MIKE BLACK
A combination of hands-on and discussion, this detailed workshop covers the reporting of the crime, the responsibilities of the first officers on the scene, preservation of evidence, evidence collection, the basic types of evidence – direct, eye witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and physical evidence.
DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATIONS
INSTRUCTOR: TBA
Walk through the scene to determine the type and manner of death and where the investigation goes from there. Hands-on investigation.
DOGS, DOGS, AND MORE DOGS!!
See and learn how these remarkable animals perform their duties.
BUG MANIA!
INSTRUCTOR: DR. DENENE LOFLAND
Using insects as murder weapons.
DRONES
INSTRUCTOR: BILL BONGLE
How drones are used in law enforcement. Legal and privacy issues. Features actual drone flights.
DRUG IDENTIFICATION
Observe and discuss various types of drugs and their impact when ingested.
EMERGENCY DRIVING
INSTRUCTOR: COLLEEN BELONGEA
Experience the difficulty of multitasking while driving, observing, and communicating, and all while utilizing lights and siren.
EMS/HEALTH SIMULATOR
INSTRUCTOR: HOLLIE BAUER
Interactive patient’s life depends on YOU! Actual medical training.
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: DEALING WITH THE ALPHABET SOUP AGENCIES
INSTRUCTOR: ATF SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT RICK MCMAHAN & SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT (RET) MIKE ROCHE
Two veteran federal law enforcement agents discuss the realities associated with working as a federal agent. Who has jurisdiction over which crimes? Who’s in charge? What the heck do federal agents do? Bring your questions!
FINGERPRINTING
INSTRUCTOR: R.J. BEAM
Dusting, fuming, and difficult to print surfaces are just a few of the fingerprinting techniques you’ll learn in this detailed hands-on session.
SHOOT/DON’T SHOOT SCENARIO TRAINING
A heart-pounding, eye-opening, and extremely realistic session where you must decide, within a fraction of a second, whether or not to use deadly force.
FUNDAMENTALS OF POLICE PATROL
INSTRUCTOR: MIKE BLACK
Patrol officers, the backbone of all police departments, are often neglected or poorly portrayed in works of fiction. Learn how and why these first responders handle life and death situations, including shoot-don’t shoot situations. Also included are an examination of how cases are scrutinized by the media, Stop and Frisk, review boards, use of deadly force to stop fleeing felons, and more.
HANDGUN: LIVE-FIRE
Learn the fundamentals of a Glock pistol. Become familiar with sight picture, sight alignment, stance, grip, and trigger control. Fire live ammunition on the academy pistol range.
HIT LIST
INSTRUCTOR: STAFF
Hit List – the list of HIT workshops
ILLEGAL ANIMAL FIGHTING
INSTRUCTOR: SHARON HENSEN
Investigations of illegal dog-fighting and cockfighting. Search warrants, warrantless entry, officer safety and more. An inside look at this horrifying and dangerous underground activity.
INCOGNITO! EXPLORE THE UNDERCOVER EXPERIENCE
INSTRUCTOR: DET. MARCO CONELLI
Incognito! Explore the undercover experience, from locked door drug deals to never trusting informants. Listen and learn about this heart-pounding, dangerous assignment from a retired undercover NYPD detective, whose vast experience will help you develop your stories and characters.
INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS
INSTRUCTOR: ATF SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT RICK MCMAHAN
This class provides an understanding of modern firearms, how they work and how to better use/describe them in your writing.
POLICE K-9’S
Legal requirements for K-9 searches of vehicles. Alerts, kinds of drugs recognized, training, and more.
SPECIAL EVENT!! – HOW TO CREATE, DEVELOP, AND WRITE “BAD GUYS”
INSTRUCTOR: LES EDGERTON
How to write effective “bad guys” in fiction, including why you should eliminate morality from the equation. New ways of viewing characterization and how to open up ways in which to create truly compelling stories.
LES EDGERTON: THE CRIMINAL IN LITERATURE… FROM THE CRIMINAL’S POV
INSTRUCTOR: LES EDGERTON
In this eye-opening session, renowned writing teacher, author, and … former prison “resident,” Les Edgerton, lays it all on the table – how “we” outlaws actually commit a crime. This from the man whose “specialty” was second-degree burglary, and armed and strong-armed robbery. This is learning at it’s finest from one of the best instructors around. Be ready, too, to have your funny bone tickled.
LONG GUN: LIVE-FIRE
INSTRUCTOR: NWTC STAFF/RANGE INSTRUCTORS
Learn the basics of the .223 patrol rifle, nomenclature, field stripping, fundamentals, and live fire on the rifle range.
MARKERS FOR FAKE V. GENUINE SUICIDE NOTES
INSTRUCTOR: DR. KATHERINE RAMSLAND
When suicide is … murder. Learn how suicide notes help investigators find their true authors.
MARTIAL ARTS FOR WRITERS
INSTRUCTOR: ESOMA KUNG FU MASTER INSTRUCTOR HOWARD LEWIS
What is it that writers do that drives martial artists nuts?
MENTAL HEALTH AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
INSTRUCTOR: BARB GERARDIN, GREEN BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT)
Learn how police departments handle mental health issues involving both officers and citizens.
MINDSET OF COPS
INSTRUCTOR: SPECIAL AGENT MIKE ROCHE, U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Romance, the Ferguson effect, how cops view the world, and more. Agent Roche spills all the beans!!
MOUNTED PATROL
INSTRUCTOR: GREEN BAY POLICE, MOUNTED PATROL
First it’s time in the classroom to learn details and information about mounted patrols, how and why they’re used, and about the stars of the show, the magnificent horses. Next, participants will head outside to see the horses and officers in action.
OFFICER DOWN!!
INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN KOSTELIC, WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
See, hear, and experience the tools, tactics, and strategies utilized during an “officer-down” situation. Intensive, spine-chilling session.
ONEIDA TRIBAL
INSTRUCTOR: ONEIDA NATION POLICE CHIEF RICH VAN BOXTEL
Experience the unique culture of the Oneida Tribe as well as the history of the Oneida Tribal Police and American Policing—not always cooperative.
OPENING CEREMONIES
INSTRUCTOR: ONEIDA NATION
Opening Ceremonies by Oneida Tribal Police, Oneida Nation Tribal Leaders, color guard, and dancers. The blessing of the WPA!
PRISON GANGS
INSTRUCTOR: WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS – GANG UNIT
Details TBA
PTSD – POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
INSTRUCTOR: TBA
The effects and consequences on the officer, department, career and family.
PURSUIT IMMOBILIZATION TECHNIQUE (PIT)
INSTRUCTOR: COLLEEN BELONGEA
High Speed Pursuit! You will drive the pursuit vehicle!
SECRETS OF THE SECRET SERVICE
INSTRUCTOR: SPECIAL AGENT MIKE ROCHE, U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Behind the scenes peek at the inner workings of the Secret Service.
STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY TESTING (SFST)
INSTRUCTOR: TBA
Learn how to conduct actual filled sobriety tests, and then implement them on actual drunk drivers. Yes, volunteers will be consuming alcohol (in a controlled, safe environment).
SURPRISES!!
Each year we incorporate surprise sessions that are designed to excite the senses of WPA attendees. The purpose is to allow you to experience “events” that unfold in real time, just as officers and other first responders experience in the real world.
SWAT: EXPLOSIVE ENTRY
Ready, Set … Blow Down Those Doors! KABOOM! Yes, you and your fellow SWAT team members will learn to use explosive charges to gain entry into “hard-to-reach” places. This is the real deal!
STAY CALM AND APPLY A TOURNIQUET: TACTICAL EMS
INSTRUCTOR: NATHAN RIEHL
This is a HOT one! An exciting hands-on FAVORITE session. Combat medical/officer down/lifesaving techniques – You are the EMS 1st responder!
TALKING TO SERIAL KILLERS
INSTRUCTOR: DR. KATHERINE RAMSLAND
Learn how the experts elicit information from serial killers.
TASERS
Tasers will be deployed. Class participation is encouraged…if you dare.
TERMINAL BALLISTICS
INSTRUCTOR: TROY JANDA
Learn how a projectile behaves when it hits its mark and then transfers its kinetic energy to the target.
THE DICK AND THE DOC
INSTRUCTOR: NYPD DETECTIVE MARCO CONELLI & DR. KATHERINE RAMSLAND
A veteran detective and a renowned forensic psychologist come together to analyze real-life cases and crimes from competing and at times collaborating perspectives. See how these two professionals come together to dissect the criminal mind and uncover clues to ultimately solve major crimes.
TRAFFIC STOPS/DRUNK DRIVERS
You conduct the traffic stop, and yes, drinking is involved, but not by you!!
UNDERSTANDING THE “LINK” IN ANIMAL ABUSE
INSTRUCTOR: SHARON HENSEN
This workshop provides background, knowledge, and understanding relating to the interdisciplinary connection among animal abuse to child, elder. spousal abuse, and domestic violence.
Golden Donut Short-Story Contest
The WPA also sponsors a unique short-story contest every year. The fun contest requires authors to write a story that’s EXACTLY 200 words, based on the photo posted above. This year’s final judge will be Craig Johnson, author of the best-selling Walter Longmire mysteries and the 2017 WPA Guest of Honor. The winner of the Golden Donut Short-Story Contest earns a free registration to a 2018 Writers’ Police Academy event as well as a nifty trophy and bragging rights. You can enter the contest even if you aren’t planning to attend this year’s WPA.
