Few things are more important to improving overall officer safety and capability than training. That’s why so much of this magazine is directed at this critical area, and it’s the reason we honor outstanding trainers. For the past three years, we’ve partnered with the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) to recognize a Trainer of the Year. Many of our contributors are ILEETA members, and a large group of our charter subscribers came from the ILEETA ranks. This is something I’m very proud of because ILEETA represents the very heart and soul of what law enforcement is all about. I’ve witnessed countless examples of ILEETA members selflessly going the extra mile. That’s why the badge on the Trainer of the Year award bears the words Service and Commitment.
The Trainer of the Year award is not a popularity contest. Nominations are carefully screened and evaluated by both ILEETA and Law Officer senior staff. It’s an honor just to be nominated, and this year we received nearly 30 nominations. The competition was incredible, but in the end there was a clear winner.
For 2009, the prestigious award (now known as the “Nowicki” in honor of its first recipient) went to Jeff Chudwin. I had the honor of presenting the award to Chudwin at the ILEETA Conference in Chicago (see photo), and there were several hundred people in attendance. The room erupted into instantaneous applause when Chudwin’s name was announced, and as he approached the stage, the applause turned into a sustained standing ovation. This year, we also presented a $1,000 check along with the award. When I handed the check to Chudwin, he immediately announced that he was donating the full amount to ILEETA. Definitely a class act— and classic Chudwin.
After the awards ceremony, I was approached several times by officers who wanted to add their voice of approval to Chudwin’s selection. Perhaps the best line came from Ephrata, Penn., Chief Bill Harvey who said simply, “Great choice. Jeff is a trainer’s trainer.”
I’m proud to know Jeff Chudwin and honored that he contributes to this magazine. Congratulations, Jeff Chudwin, Law Officer Trainer of the Year for 2009.
Law Officer Goes Digital
By now, I think everyone knows about LawOfficer.com, and if you haven’t visited the site recently, do it today. I guarantee you’ll find something new and interesting. And speaking of new, I’ve got some great news to share with you. First, there’s Law Officer Connect (www.lawofficerconnect.com), a brand new networking site that’s designed specifically for those who serve. It’s fun, it’s beneficial, and it’s free—what a great deal! Make sure you participate because the real value is in the networking and sharing of ideas. It isn’t the same without your contributions.
Later this month, we’ll be rolling out our first webcast. Basically, a webcast is an Internet-based presentation on a specific topic that has a high level of practitioner interest. The format allows us to provide training from a subject matter expert and deliver it right to your computer, the ultimate in convenience. During the live webcast, viewers can submit email questions, so it’s really like a live training environment. It’s a great way to get the latest on important subjects without having to attend training at a specific site. And once again, these are free . All you have to do is sign up at www.lawofficer.com/webcasts.
On May 28, 1400 EST, we’ll roll out our very first effort—How to Implement a License Plate Recognition System, which will be presented by Capt. Scot Haug, Post Falls (Idaho) PD, a recognized technology expert and someone who has actually implemented a successful LPR program.
On June 30, also at 1400 EST, we’ll be streaming Use of Force and What’s Important Now, presented by Brian Willis, one of the premier use-of-force trainers in North America. Future webcast topics will include e-citations and mobile video. Think of it this way, if it’s pertinent to your job, we’re probably lining up a webcast to address the topic.
As if a new networking site and webcasts weren’t enough, we’re also rolling out something that you really have to see to understand how incredibly cool it is. A true digital edition of the magazine will be available this month. Although you’ve been able to get magazine content via our Web site for a while, this is totally different. From cover to cover, you actually see the entire magazine, just like it looks in print, on your screen. You can flip through pages, quickly going from one article to another just like you were holding the magazine in your hand. And better than the print version, you have the ability to instantly e-mail or print a specific article as needed. This approach is going to open up some new possibilities and allow us to expand our reader base significantly. It will let you keep your issues electronically and quickly locate that important article you need for a training presentation or to make your point with a trainee.
Bottom line
: Law Officer has gone digital in a big way.
—Dale Stockon, Editor in Chief
