For many police officers, being good enough just isn’t good enough. For this group of hard-charging men and women, being more prepared, more knowledgeable and more capable than their peers is a matter of pride. It reflects a strong work ethic and a passion for a job well done.

If you want to increase professionalism in your department and are interested in expanding your knowledge base while cultivating connections with like-minded officers, there is a simple solution. Several professional organizations are working every day to improve law enforcement professional standards and training. Some of these organizations focus specifically on trainers, and some focus on supervisors, while others focus on specialty assignments such as firearm instructors or SWAT.

Many of these organizations have annual conferences where you can connect with others who share similar interests, learn new skills and possibly share your own knowledge. In addition to the conferences, these associations publish regular newsletters or magazines, keeping members updated with relevant news and trends. They introduce you to new technology and keep you current with innovative training methods. The conferences include vendor expos where you can meet representatives from the companies whose products you use daily. Your department and the officers you work with will benefit from the contacts you make through these organizations.

Many areas have state or regional equivalents of these groups that provide a variety of training and networking opportunities. Additionally, most states have K-9 and drug enforcement associations that are invaluable for developing connections for K-9 handlers and aiding in drug investigations.

Here’s a short description and contact information for some professional organizations. This is not an all-inclusive list, so I apologize in advance for omitting other worthwhile associations.

ILEETA

The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of criminal justice practitioners, as well as enhancing their safety and the communities they serve. A unique characteristic of ILEETA is that it is an organization of peers with no rank or hierarchy. For example, as a first-time attendee to the ILEETA Conference & Expo, you will be treated as the most important person at the conference. The more often you attend and the more members you meet, the more it begins to feel like a family reunion. 

Not just anyone can become a member. Membership in ILEETA is select. You must be involved in the delivery of education or training to the criminal justice community by being an educator, trainer or supervisor of criminal justice education or training. Certifications, licenses or a letter of reference from a criminal justice agency are required to join.

ILEETA offers a quarterly publication, The ILEETA Journal, which offers news and information on the use of force, instructor and curriculum development, health and wellness, and more. In addition, The ILEETA Digest is another publication keeping members updated on current events. A weekly newsletter, an active social media presence and the monthly podcast ILEETA Live are benefits that keep members engaged in the mission of ILEETA.

The 2024 ILEETA Conference & Expo is coming up March 17–23 in St. Louis, Missouri. Maybe I’ll see you there! For more information on ILEETA, check out the website at ileeta.org.

NAFTO

The National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO) is an educational and professional association focused on field training programs, or the Field Training Officer Concept, used for law enforcement, communications and corrections personnel.

NAFTO was created as a resource for law enforcement, corrections and communications FTOs throughout the United States and beyond. NAFTO encourages the exchange of ideas and communication, working to improve field training programs and increase the knowledge and skills of FTOs.

NAFTO is a resource for FTOs, field training program supervisors and departments for developing and growing field training programs. NAFTO hosts an annual training conference featuring break-out sessions, guest speakers, specialized classes and much more. FTOs in various career fields exchange ideas and solutions for field training programs within their own organization and help others improve their training programs.

Check out NAFTO at nafto.org.

IALEFI

The International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI) was organized in 1981 by a group of concerned firearms instructors. They recognized the need to update and modernize the instruction and teaching techniques used to train law enforcement officers in firearms and use of force. IALEFI is a nonprofit member association supported by dues and managed by an elected board of directors.

IALEFI led the way in the transition training from revolvers to semiautomatic pistols in the mid-1980s and force-on-force simulation training in the 1990s. IALEFI continues to offer training opportunities to its members during the Annual Training Conference, regional training conferences, and master instructor development courses.

Active membership is open to firearms instructors professionally engaged in training law enforcement, security, criminal justice and investigative personnel. You can find more information about IALEFI at ialefi.com.

NLEFIA

The National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Association (NLEFIA) was created to further the knowledge and skills of firearms instructors so they can take their students to the next level of skill development. They are committed to providing a network of information sharing, continuing education and training, and advanced certifications to professional firearms instructors. 

NLEFIA’s goal is to help further the advancement of firearms training programs to reduce the number of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty from the unlawful use of deadly force and firearms-related training accidents.

NLEFIA is open to military firearms instructors, firearms instructors in the security industry, and professional firearms instructors from the private sector training community who provide training to law enforcement, military or government-contracted security personnel.

For information about NLEFIA, go to nlefia.org.

NTOA

The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) touts more than 40,000 members from specialties that include patrol, crisis negotiations, canine, corrections, sniper, explosives, command, tactical dispatchers, behavioral sciences and more. 

The NTOA’s goal is to improve public safety and domestic security through training, education and tactical excellence. Their mission is to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing credible and proven training resources, as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange.

The NTOA has established national SWAT standards that departments can use as criteria for training, staffing and capabilities. Members can take advantage of the annual training conference, interactive website offerings and The Tactical Edge magazine. They also offer a wide variety of classes throughout the country, including active shooter response, SWAT team leader development and crisis negotiator courses.

You can find out more information about NTOA at ntoa.org.

IACP

Established in 1893, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) may be the oldest professional organization in law enforcement. With more than 32,000 members in over 170 countries, the IACP has been serving communities by speaking out on behalf of law enforcement and advancing leadership and professionalism in policing worldwide.

The IACP is known for its commitment to community safety by shaping the future of our profession. Through research and training opportunities, the IACP is preparing current police leaders to address the most pressing issues and challenges of the day.    

The IACP publishes The Police Chief magazine, a periodical for law enforcement executives, and hosts the IACP Annual Conference, the largest police educational and technology exposition in the world. IACP membership is open to law enforcement professionals of all ranks, including non-sworn leaders across the criminal justice system.

Learn more about IACP at theiacp.org.

NSA

Chartered in 1940, the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) offers police and court security training, jail information and other law enforcement services to sheriffs and deputies throughout the nation. NSA has provided programs for sheriffs, their deputies, chiefs of police and others in the field of criminal justice to perform their jobs in the best possible manner and to better serve the people of their cities, counties or jurisdictions. 

The NSA has worked to forge cooperative relationships with local, state and federal criminal justice professionals across the nation to network and share information about homeland security programs and projects. The NSA has assisted sheriff’s departments and state sheriff’s associations in locating and preparing applications for state and federal homeland security grant funding.

The NSA offers training conferences and events, including the winter conference and an annual conference that changes locations each year.

You can learn more about the NSA at sheriffs.org.