At Chiefs Of Police Annual Event Attended By VIPD Officials, Obama Calls For Police Admiration And Respect

ST. CROIX — Members of the Virgin Islands Police Department joined along with thousands of dedicated professionals from federal, state, county, local and tribal agencies at the 122nd International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), held in Chicago at the McCormick Centre from October 23 to 28, 2015.

That’s according to a press release VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson, who also attended the event, issued this afternoon. All participants received the intelligence, strategies and solutions needed to sharpen their edge and to better serve and protect their communities, according to the release.

Every year, the IACP’s Annual Conference and Exposition supplies law enforcement personnel and their departments with powerful advantages, bringing together an unmatched educational program, renowned keynote speakers, community-building special events and the largest collection of tactical equipment and technology solutions available for law enforcement, according to Jackson.

Seminars and training sessions that the V.I. delegation took part in were the Leadership Track, Technology and Information Sharing, Research, Public Information and others. There was also a tremendous amount of networking with other attendees from as far away as Saudi Arabia and several African countries during breakaway sessions and nightly sponsored events, the release further stated.

The exhibition hall contained more than 1,500 exhibitors, including aircraft services, armor/protective equipment, communications equipment, education/training, lighting, mobile technology, personal/tactical equipment and many others.

There were also speeches and discussions conducted by notable individuals within law enforcement from across the US, however, they were overshadowed by a last-minute appearance by President Barack Obama that took place on Tuesday, October 27th at the Skyline Ballroom, which houses 5,000 people and was at near full capacity. President Obama’s speech called for admiration and respect for officers, while acknowledging improvements needed in race relations, the criminal justice system and gun control.

The IACP was founded in 1893. The association’s goals are to advance the science and art of police services; to develop and disseminate improved administrative, technical and operational practices and promote their use in police work; to foster police cooperation and the exchange of information and experience among police administrators throughout the world; to bring about recruitment and training in the police profession of qualified persons; and to encourage adherence of all police officers to high professional standards of performance and conduct.

Feature Image: VIPD Delegates, LtoR, Dr. Marshall, STX Chief Hector, STT Deputy Chief Alcendor, MIS Systems Analyst, Kishauna Tweede.

Image Credit: VIPD.