2016 Writers’ Police Academy Workshop Descriptions

 

We are pleased to present the 2016 Writers’ Police Academy

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

 

10 COMMON MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE ABOUT THE LAW

INSTRUCTOR: LESLIE BUDEWITZ

 

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.

 

BALLISTICS

INSTRUCTOR: JOHANN BODEN

Internal, external, and terminal ballistics. Live fire.

 

BLOODSTAIN PATTERNS AND SPATTER

The science behind bloodstain patterns and spatter.

 

BUILDING/ROOM CLEARING

In this heart-pounding session you and your partner respond to an alarm where you, as a team, must enter and clear the building. Be prepared for gunfire at any moment.

 

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Learn and experience how rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court are carried out by law enforcement.

 

COURTROOM TESTIMONY

Experience what’s it’s like to testify in court as a police officer. Actual courtroom setting.

 

DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATIONS

Walk through the scene to determine the type and manner of death and where the investigation goes from there.

 

DOMESTIC CRIMES

Learn the statutory elements, dynamics, impact, responses, and the unique investigative strategies of domestic crime.

 

DRONES

INSTRUCTOR: BILL BONGLE

How drones are used in law enforcement. Legal and privacy issues. Features actual drone flights.

 

EMERGENCY DRIVING

INSTRUCTOR: COLLEEN BELONGEA

Experience the difficulty of multitasking while driving, observing, and communicating, and all while utilizing lights and siren. You will drive the patrol vehicle under extreme conditions!

 

EMS/HEALTH SIMULATOR

INSTRUCTOR: HOLLIE BAUER

Interactive patient’s life depends on YOU! Actual medical training. Intense ER session and setting!

 

EXPERT WITNESSES AND THEIR TESTIMONY

Who are expert witnesses and how do they become experts in the eyes of the court? Session also delves into Grand Juries.

 

EXPLOSIVES/IED’S

Explore the dynamics of making an explosion.

 

FINGERPRINTING

Dusting, fuming, and difficult to print surfaces are just a few of the fingerprinting techniques you’ll learn in this detailed hands-on session.

 

FIRE 101

Examine fire basics, Fire Triangle, and specific components of a fire.

 

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. Heart-pounding action!

 

FORENSIC ART AND THE COGNITIVE INTERVIEW

INSTRUCTOR: ROBIN BURCELL

Interviewing techniques used by sketch artists. Demonstrations of craft and more!

 

GETTING STRAPPED: HOW THUGS GET THEIR GUNS – ARMED IN AMERICA

The TV myth of “The gun was registered to the suspect.”

 

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.

 

HOW TO THINK LIKE A BAD GUY

INSTRUCTOR: DET. MARCO CONELLI

A journey into the minds of dangerous criminals to learn what it is that enables them to kill, rape, and rob with ease and without remorse.

 

POLICE K-9’S – TRAFFIC STOPS

Legal requirements for K-9 searches of vehicles. Alerts, kinds of drugs recognized, training, and more. Participate in actual traffic stops.

 

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.

 

MARTIAL ARTS FOR WRITERS

INSTRUCTOR: ESOMA KUNG FU MASTER INSTRUCTOR HOWARD LEWIS

What is it that writers do that drives martial artists nuts? Training time on the mat.

 

MASHED POTATOES OF DEATH: ARE YOU GOING TO EAT THAT?

INSTRUCTOR: DR. DENENE LOFLAND

Toxins of biological origin – weapons made from natural sources that could easily be placed in food and drink.

 

MEDICAL EXAMINER V. CORONER

A medical examiner’s perspective of their daily tasks, roles, and responsibilities, and whether or not you’re accurately describing those details.

 

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.

 

PRISON TOUR

Tour one of the oldest maximum security prisons in the state of Wisconsin, the Green Bay Correctional Institute. You will enter the section housing some of the worst inmates in the state. Be prepared for…

 

PRIVATE INVESTIGATION, OR HOW TO BE A DICK FOR FUN & PROFIT

INSTRUCTOR: DAVID CORBETT

In this one-hour workshop former private investigator David Corbett—who worked on such headline cases as the first Michael Jackson molestation prosecution, the Cotton Club Murder Case, a major Teamster organized crime litigation, and more—will march you through the various aspects of the life of a real PI.

 

PTSD – POST TRAUMATIC STRESS

INSTRUCTOR: SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT MIKE ROCHE

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 car, and you will indeed make contact with the fleeing suspect’s vehicle! A “spinning, tire-squealing” good time!

 

REAL COPS FOR REAL WRITERS: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COPS

INSTRUCTOR: SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT MIKE ROCHE

How do cops think? Workshop addresses Thin Blue Line, Code of Silence, Fear, Bravado, and the Ferguson effect, and much more.

 

SPECIAL OPS SHOW AND TELL

Hands-on with Special Ops (SWAT, Bomb Squad, etc.) equipment, gear, and vehicles. Mingle with the pros. This is a HOT ONE!

 

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.

 

TASERS

Tasers will be deployed. Class participation is encouraged…if you dare.

 

THE CLINICAL INTERVIEW

INSTRUCTOR: DR. KATHERINE RAMSLAND

Learn the tools of the trade and the methods that elicit information. Components of a psychological evaluation.

 

THE STEVEN AVERY CASE: ANALYSIS OF INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION BY INVESTIGATORS

INSTRUCTOR: WISCONSIN MUNICIPAL JUDGE KEVIN RATHBURN

Experts dissect the Interview and Interrogation of Steven Avery and Brendon Dassey – explore the art/skills/dynamics of interviews and interrogations.

 

THE UNDERCOVER EXPERIENCE

INSTRUCTOR: DET. MARCO CONELLI

The dangerous life of an undercover officer infiltrating major New York City drug gangs and massive Organized Crime figures.

 

TRACE EVIDENCE

Collecting and processing trace evidence.

 

TRAFFIC STOPS

When and how to approach and contact the driver/passengers.

 

WHY THEY WERE BAD

INSTRUCTOR: DR. KATHERINE RAMSLAND

This lecture gets behind the stereotypical motives for mass and serial murder to examine psychological nuances in specific cases.

 

POLICE BASICS 101: THE WAY WE TALK, THE WAY WE WALK

INSTRUCTOR: ROBIN BURCELL

Lingo and action accuracy without boring the reader.

 

“GOTCHA, BADGUY!”—PROACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS

Police detectives conduct two types of investigations – reactive and proactive.

More workshops on the way!!

Registration opens Sunday February 21, 2016 at noon EST.

Remember, slots fill extremely quick so please, please, please be at your computers ready to sign up the moment the registration link goes live!

For all event details please visit writerspoliceacademy.com