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We are proud to announce the upcoming third annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2023.
The Wounded Blue is the national assistance and support organization for injured and disabled law enforcement officers. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the mission of The Wounded Blue is to improve the lives of injured and disabled law enforcement officers through support, education, assistance and legislation.
Launched in May 2019 at National Police Week, The Wounded Blue’s Peer Advocate Support Team, made up of all volunteer current and former law enforcement officers who have experienced serious physical or emotional trauma and injuries, have touched the lives of more than 14,000 law enforcement personnel. Through programs such as interactive peer support and outreach or our Code 4 Total Wellness system, our organization works to provide personal support to those men and women who are serving or have proudly served behind the badge. Post-traumatic stress (PTS) injury is as real as a bullet and has led to the startling reality that more officers will take their own lives this year than all of the line-of-duty deaths combined. The Wounded Blue is saving lives and combating the causes of PTS through our efforts and programs.
The Wounded Blue is saving lives and combating the causes of PTS through our efforts and programs.
The law enforcement profession has always been inherently dangerous in terms of physical safety, but the current climate in terms of violence, anti-law enforcement media, agenda-driven politicians and societal issues have created a far more dangerous environment for America’s police.
Creating awareness of PTS, as well as its causes, symptoms and treatments, is one of the most critical topics facing the law enforcement community. The issues of surviving a law enforcement career are many and include physical, emotional, psychological and medical components.
To that end, The Wounded Blue has created the National Law Enforcement Survival Summit to be held at the Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas on September 26–29. Featuring the most dynamic and well-respected speakers and trainers in the country on law enforcement topics, this conference will host up to 300 in-person participants. All aspects of surviving a law enforcement career will be addressed. Physical survival, emotional survival and psychological, legal, family and relationship survival are among many scheduled topics. Presenters in the past have included Dr. Kevin Gilmartin, Jason Schechterle, Dave “Buck Savage” Smith and Betsy Brantner Smith, and Sheriff Mark Lamb. In addition to the top-quality trainers and speakers, the summit will offer entertainment by nationally-known comedian and still-active police officer Vinny Montez.
This conference is designed for all ranks of law enforcement, from patrol to supervisors and top administrators. There is something for everyone who is actively serving, has served in law enforcement, or is the spouse or significant other of one. The cost is just $295 per person ($150 for spouses). This includes training, breakfast, lunch and evening entertainment. It will be held at the beautiful Ahern Hotel near downtown Las Vegas. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at about $100 per night under “The Wounded Blue” block.
For more information, visit thewoundedblue.org. To register for the event, visit eventcreate.com/e/woundedblue. For any questions or sponsorship opportunities, please contact founder Randy Sutton at randy@thewoundedblue.org.
As seen in the May 2023 issue of American Police Beat magazine.
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