HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As part of continuing education and training in the administration of law enforcement, Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith recently attended the 2019 Annual Summer Training conference sponsored by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Heads of law enforcement agencies from throughout the state participated in the four-day conference. The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is responsible for the delivery of training to the chiefs of Georgia’s police departments and law enforcement agencies. Smith described the annual conference to FetchYourNews as “enlightening.”

The Summer Training Conference was held at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center July 21 through July 24. This year’s conference covered a variety of topics such as: “Advancing Officer Health & Wellness”, “Leadership Strategies for the 21st Century Police Administrator”, “Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival 1 October Debrief”, “DDS Card Security for Law Enforcement”, “Next Generation of Identification (NGI) Overview”, “The Impact of Legalized Marijuana and Law Enforcement Leadership in Traffic Safety”, and “Reset The Clock: Replace Liability With Credibility – Practical Employee Relations For Leaders in Law Enforcement.”

Chief Smith was among more than 550 heads of law enforcement agencies attending the 51st Annual Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Training Conference. Chief Wesley Walker of Lyons Police Department, President of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, stated, “In this new era of law enforcement, Chiefs are constantly finding new ways to manage their departments. From the type of officer we are hiring today, to the concerns of the public we serve, to the way we police has changed ever so drastically. This change has brought about new standards that are required of law enforcement. The GACP has done an excellent job in keeping up with the times and providing the necessary training and direction for the Police Chiefs of this state.

“Our Summer training conference leads the country in the caliber of instructors and material delivered to the attendees. Each one of us takes away something new and useful to complement our management styles as we return to our respective departments. The networking and knowledge of the approximately 550 attendees in those classrooms is unprecedented. The GACP continues to strive to provide the best training possible to the members of the association and be the standard for other Chief’s Associations across the country.”