July 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
CLARENCE M. KELLEY AWARD – MISSOURI
One of the important chapter activities associated with the Fall re-trainer is recognition through the annual CMK award. Letters of nomination should be sent to 1st Vice President Todd Ackerman [email protected],
Nominations should be submitted by August 15th
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION – KANSAS
We will hold the annual Fall business meeting on Thursday afternoon at approximately 4:30, shortly after the end of the day’s training. During the business meeting, we will elect a new Second Vice President from the Kansas side. Are you interested in running for the board? Contact President-Elect Mark Terman [email protected]
Nominations, including self-nominations, must be submitted before Sept. 9th.
Community Service
For several years, the chapter has sponsored a college scholarship that is awarded to an eligible recipient from Section 2. Attached is a virtual poster outlining this year’s recipients for each scholarship.
Welcome New Members
Session 298 graduated on June 18th. Our newest members are: Don Shepard, Peculiar, MO PD; Matthew Seichepine, Shawnee, KS PD; Ed Ochs, Garden City KS PD; Mike Papasifakis, U. of Central Missouri PD; and Chief Master Sergeant Blake Talley, McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS. Congratulations!
The 299th session begins July 10th. Our group includes Mike Fidler, Warrensburg, MO PD; Derek Highbarger, Augusta, KS DPS; Tyson Kilby, Johnson County, KS SO; Heather Pate, Bonner Springs KS PD; and Bryan Welch, Springfield, MO PD. Have a great session!
Calendar of Events
Registration and hotel reservations are open. You should have received a large package with the full conference details. Registration is available through the chapter website: https://fbinaakswmo.org. We recommend you book your room early. We have a terrific training schedule arranged!
General Newsletter
The 2026 FBINAA National Annual Training Conference was held June 27–30, 2026, at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre in Niagara Falls. The conference theme was "Resilient Together: Strength Through Service," emphasizing leadership, officer wellness, organizational resilience, and cross-border collaboration. President Buck Buchanan attended and shares the following observations.
Some of the major highlights included:
1. Leadership in an Era of Constant Change
A recurring theme focused on how law enforcement executives can build resilient organizations, lead through public scrutiny and organizational change, improve succession planning, strengthen employee engagement and retention, and adapt to rapidly evolving public safety challenges
2. Officer Wellness and Mental Health
Several training sessions addressed PTSD and cumulative trauma, Peer support programs, Suicide prevention, Resiliency training, and Reducing burnout among first responders.
Many agencies now consider wellness a leadership responsibility rather than solely an employee benefit.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology
Technology sessions explored were Responsible use of AI in policing, AI-assisted investigations, Digital evidence management, Cybercrime trends, Privacy and ethical considerations, and technology procurement and implementation. The focus was less on the technology itself and more on executive decision-making around adoption and governance.
4. Community Trust and Modern Policing
Conference discussions emphasized building public trust, procedural justice, effective crisis communication, transparency, managing controversial incidents, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations
5. Recruitment and Retention
Given ongoing staffing shortages, many presentations centered on recruiting younger generations, improving the hiring processes, retaining experienced officers, leadership development, and creating positive organizational culture. This remains one of the highest-priority issues for chiefs and sheriffs nationwide.
6. Executive Networking
One of the conference's greatest strengths continues to be networking among law enforcement leaders from hundreds of agencies. More than 1,000 executives representing over 400 agencies, with a large percentage serving as chiefs, sheriffs, deputy chiefs, and command staff.
7. Cross-Border Law Enforcement Collaboration
Because the conference was hosted in Ontario by the FBINAA New York State/Eastern Canada Chapter, there was added emphasis on U.S.–Canadian law enforcement partnerships, border security, International investigations, Information sharing, and joint emergency response.
- · Key Takeaways for me was the conference reinforced several strategic priorities:
- · Leadership resilience is as important as operational readiness.
- · Officer wellness directly affects recruitment, retention, and performance.
- · AI and digital technologies require clear policies and governance.
- · Recruiting and retaining qualified officers remains a national challenge.
- · Strong partnerships—with healthcare, behavioral health, neighboring agencies, and community organizations—are increasingly essential to effective policing.
- · Networking with peers provides practical solutions that can often be adapted more quickly than developing new approaches independently.
These themes are especially relevant for leaders working to balance public safety, organizational health, and evolving community expectations while preparing their agencies for future challenges.
We look forward to seeing many of you next year in Phoenix, AZ, July 12-15.
News of the Membership
IN MEMORIAM
We are sad to report that Gene L. Burden, 119th, passed away on June 25, 2026. Gene served in the Air Force Police in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. He joined the Warrensburg Police Department in 1962 and retired in 2000, having served 32 of those years as Chief of Police. Gene was a lifetime member of the FBINAA.
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Retirements
Rob Hays, 265, retired June 1st from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. He served for many years at Gladstone PD before moving to Clay County. Rob says proudly that he has a trip scheduled every month through January 2027. That’s a terrific way to celebrate your retirement!!
