Send us a text

Derek Miller will present The ABCs of Gen Z: Recruit, Train, and Retain at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

The ABCs of Gen Z: Recruit, Train, and Retain
Derek Miller | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

As the Baby Boomer generation continues to retire, law enforcement agencies across the country are increasingly relying on Generation Z to fill their ranks. Recruiting, training, and retaining this next generation of officers requires a clear understanding of how they think, learn, and engage with the profession.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Derek Miller draws on nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience, more than a decade as a Field Training Officer, and academic research focused on Generation Z recruiting. Derek explains what agencies often misunderstand about Gen Z, how traditional recruiting and training models fall short, and what practical changes can make a real difference.

This conversation provides a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Derek’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo. Participants will explore effective recruiting messages, training approaches that resonate with a technology-driven generation, and leadership strategies that improve long-term retention without lowering professional standards.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or simply responsible for recruiting, training, or supervising younger officers, this episode reflects the practical insight and experience-driven learning that define the ILEETA training community.

Watch the full interview:
(link to be added once posted)

Instructor: Derek Miller

Send us a text

Brent Sorg will present From the Sidelines to the Frontlines at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

From the Sidelines to the Frontlines
Brent Sorg | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

Leadership in law enforcement and leadership in coaching share more in common than most people realize. Both require trust, adaptability, accountability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to motivate people when the pressure is high.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Brent Sorg shares insights gained from 25 years with the Lansing Police Department and decades of experience as a soccer coach at the youth, collegiate, and semi-professional levels. Brent explains why leadership is not about rank or authority, but about relationships, preparation, and modeling values through consistent action.

This conversation provides a preview of Brent’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo and explores how leadership skills can be intentionally trained, how coaching principles apply to law enforcement environments, and why developing people is the most important responsibility of any leader.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or simply focused on strengthening leadership within your organization, this episode reflects the practical, experience-based learning that defines the ILEETA Tribe of Trainers.

Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/xz354uWG3qk

Instructor: Brent Sorg

Send us a text

Doug Wyllie will present Turning Your Training Curriculum into Compelling Online Content at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

Turning Your Training Curriculum into Compelling Online Content

Doug Wyllie | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

Law enforcement trainers have never had more knowledge, experience, or insight to share—but many struggle to translate that expertise into online content that actually reaches and engages an audience.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Doug Wyllie breaks down how instructors can transform their training curriculum, classroom lessons, and professional experience into compelling online content that builds credibility, extends reach, and delivers real impact. Drawing on decades of experience as an editor, writer, and content creator, Doug explains how to adapt training material for articles, videos, and hybrid formats that meet the expectations of modern audiences.

This conversation explores how instructors can:

• Decide whether content is best delivered as written, video, or a combination of both
• Align content creation with clear goals, whether professional advancement, agency impact, or broader influence
• Use proven storytelling and engagement principles to hold attention in short-form and long-form formats
• Navigate platforms ranging from professional publications to YouTube, agency LMS systems, and social media
• Create professional-quality content without expensive equipment or complex production setups

The interview provides a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Doug’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo, including practical frameworks, real-world examples, and instructor-to-instructor guidance grounded in experience rather than theory.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or simply committed to improving how training knowledge is shared beyond the classroom, this episode reflects the mentorship, professionalism, and shared learning that define the ILEETA Tribe of Trainers.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/Mb4XS4XBFsI

Instructor: Doug Wyllie

About the Instructor:
Doug Wyllie is an award-winning writer who has authored thousands of feature articles, opinion columns, and video segments for outlets including PoliceOne, POLICE Magazine, and the National Police Association. He served as anchor and co-producer for the PoliceOne Academy video training series and co-founded and co-hosted the Policing Matters podcast. Doug has been an ILEETA member since 2012.

Connect with Doug:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-wyllie-7a70741/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doug.wyllie/

Company: Doug Wyllie & Associated Worldwide

Send us a text

Kimberly Schlau will present Once Upon a Crime: The Art of Storytelling in Police Training at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

Once Upon a Crime: The Art of Storytelling in Police Training

Kimberly Schlau | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

Facts inform—but stories stick.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Kimberly Schlau explores how storytelling transforms police training from information delivery into lasting impact. Drawing on real-world experience, Kim explains why narratives outperform bullet points when it comes to attention, emotional connection, and long-term retention.

Kim shares how effective stories:

• Capture attention in distracted learning environments
• Create emotional connection without manipulation
• Improve recall and decision-making long after training ends
• Translate policy, case law, and safety lessons into human meaning

This conversation offers a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Kim’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo. Participants will learn how to structure stories intentionally—moving beyond “war stories” toward training narratives that answer what happened, why it mattered, and what to do next.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or simply looking to improve how you communicate lessons that matter, this episode reflects the professionalism, humility, and shared learning that define the ILEETA training community.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/OGAMXjL78Ao

Instructor: Kimberly Schlau

About the Instructor:
Kim Schlau lost two daughters in 2007 to a traffic crash caused by a distracted Illinois State Trooper. Since 2009, she has spoken at law enforcement agencies, academies, conferences, schools, and businesses nationwide, using storytelling to prevent crashes due to speed and distracted driving and to save lives through awareness and accountability.

Company: Uhl Sisters Memorial Foundation

Connect with Kim:

• Instagram: @kim_schlau
  
  
  

Website: https://www.kimberlyschlau.com

Send us a text

Andrew A. DeMuth Jr. will present 11 Training Concepts Every Law Enforcement Trainer Needs to Know at the ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

11 Training Concepts Every Law Enforcement Trainer Needs to Know

Andrew A. DeMuth Jr. | ILEETA Conference & Expo
 Course Length: 1:45

Most law enforcement trainers were never formally taught how people actually learn. They were taught how to speak, how to present, and how to “cover” material — but not how to design training that sticks.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Andrew DeMuth explains why instructor development must move beyond public speaking and into learning science. Drawing from decades of law enforcement experience and years of studying adult learning, Andrew introduces eleven foundational concepts that directly impact retention, engagement, and performance.

The conversation explores practical applications of the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, Bloom’s Taxonomy, experiential learning, effortful retrieval, spaced repetition, priming and boosting, and the R.O.T.A.T.E. framework. Rather than overwhelming trainers with theory, Andrew explains how these concepts show up in everyday training decisions — from roll call and micro-training to course design and assessment.

This interview provides a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Andrew’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo. Trainers will leave with renewed purpose, practical tools, and a better understanding of how to intentionally design training that officers can remember and apply under real-world conditions.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or looking to elevate the quality of training in your agency right now, this episode reflects the shared commitment within ILEETA to instructor excellence and lifelong learning.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/g9kVlCwT8vw

Instructor: Andrew A. DeMuth Jr.
Connect with Andrew:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdemuth/

Instagram: @leadingblue
Website: https://www.leadingblue.com/

Send us a text

Espen Dahlen-Lervåg will present Adaptive Control – Axon’s Combatives Program at the ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

Adaptive Control – Axon’s Combatives Program

Espen Dahlen-Lervåg | ILEETA Conference & Expo
 Course Length: 3:45 (Requires Registration)

Modern law enforcement encounters are dynamic, unpredictable, and rarely confined to a single tool, tactic, or environment. Yet much of our training remains siloed — separating combatives, electronic control devices, and decision-making into isolated blocks that fail to reflect real-world conditions.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Espen Dahlen-Lervåg, Chief Instructor for Global Training at Axon, introduces Adaptive Control, a realistic and scalable combatives system designed to integrate next-generation TASER devices into modern control and arrest training.

Grounded in empirical research and ecological learning principles, Adaptive Control shifts the focus away from technique memorization and toward principle-driven performance. Espen explains how constraints, problem-solving, and scenario-based learning allow officers to develop adaptable control strategies that hold up under pressure.

This conversation provides a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Espen’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo. Participants will gain insight into how Adaptive Control’s five pillars support better decision-making, improved control, and more resilient performance across a wide range of operational contexts.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or rethinking how combatives and less-lethal training are delivered in your agency, this episode reflects the innovation, realism, and instructional rigor that define the ILEETA training community.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/pPKAJtMGDo8

Instructor: Espen Dahlen-Lervåg
Connect with Espen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espen-dahlen-lervag-08b9082b4/

Send us a text

Guest: Mike Marotta, Executive Director, Warriors Heart
🎥 Watch This Episode: https://youtube.com/live/41BIdJ2TxWM
🌐 Learn More: www.warriorsheart.com

🎤 Watch Mike’s Emerson Hour Talk: YouTube – Emerson Hour

The January episode of ILEETA Live launched 2026 with a powerful conversation featuring Mike Marotta—Air Force veteran, retired San Antonio PD officer, peer-support advocate, and now Executive Director at Warriors Heart in Virginia.

Co-hosts Joe Willis and Brian Hill kicked things off with exciting updates about the 2026 ILEETA Conference in St. Louis, a live check-in from SHOT Show with Todd Fletcher and Ray Merlin, and news that conference registrations are tracking a full month ahead of trend. They also spotlighted key dates like:

• 📅 Trainer of the Year Nominations – Due Feb 1
• 📅 Live Fire / Certification Registration – Opens Feb 2

🎙 Featured Guest: Mike Marotta

Mike’s journey from a C-5 loadmaster in the Air Force to a wellness unit pioneer at San Antonio PD, to national thought leader in trauma recovery is a story of purpose, growth, and grit.

He shared how his personal struggles and emotional reflection catalyzed change, leading him to co-found officer wellness programs, support First H.E.L.P. initiatives, and ultimately find his calling at Warriors Heart. Now, Mike leads a 42-day residential treatment campus in Virginia designed exclusively for members of the warrior class—military, veterans, law enforcement, fire, EMS, and corrections professionals.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• "Don’t Be Afraid" – Mike’s message to those facing transition: “You are created and refined for what’s next.”
• Emotional Literacy Matters – Cops are taught to suppress emotions, but healing begins with words like lonely, sad, and disconnected.
• Get Out of the Way – Mike reflects on how stepping aside allowed the SAPD wellness program to truly thrive.
• Hang Onto Your Satellites – Don’t lose the friends and support systems that existed before the badge.
• Empower the Human Spirit – A guiding mantra at Warriors Heart that Mike now carries forward in everything he does.

Instructor Development Tip

Kerry Avery (Odin Training Solutions) challenged trainers to ditch the bio intros and lead with something emotionally resonant—like a case study or powerful video—to engage the learner's brain and heart. “Start with why we’re here,” she said, “not who we are.”

Mike added, “Start with story. Start with heart. That’s what earns their trust.”

🔗 Connect with Mike Marotta & Warriors Heart:

• 🌐 Website: www.warriorsheart.com
  
  
• 📹 Emerson Hour Talk: Watch on YouTube
  
  
• 💼 LinkedIn: Mike Marotta on LinkedIn
  
  
• 📸 Instagram: @warriorshearthealing
  
  
• 🐦 X (Twitter): @WarriorsHeart22
  
  
• 📘 Facebook: Warriors Heart on Facebook
  
  

With just 54 days until ILEETA 2026, this episode reminds us why the community matters. 

🗓 Conference Dates: March 16–21, 2026
📍 Location: Union Station Hotel, St. Louis
🔗 Register: www.ileeta.org/conference

Send us a text

Geoff Desmoulin will present The Science Behind Prone Restraint Deaths at the ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

The Science Behind Prone Restraint Deaths

Geoff Desmoulin | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

Prone restraint deaths remain one of the most complex, misunderstood, and high-liability issues in modern law enforcement training. In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, biomechanical scientist Dr. Geoff Desmoulin breaks down what the science actually tells us about body positioning, respiration, circulation, and the physiological cascade that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Rather than relying on opinion or anecdote, this conversation focuses on evidence-based findings drawn from biomechanics, physiology, and real-world case analysis. Dr. Desmoulin explains how factors such as prolonged struggle, body weight, surface type, restraint position, and delayed recovery positioning contribute to hypercapnia and metabolic acidosis, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.

A key emphasis of the discussion is recognition and prevention. Trainers and leaders will hear how eight identifiable risk factors can be recognized early, how body-worn camera footage reveals patterns often missed in the moment, and how simple, practical adjustments can reduce risk without compromising officer safety.

This interview offers a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Dr. Desmoulin’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo and reflects ILEETA’s commitment to evidence-based training, open dialogue, and continuous improvement across law enforcement education.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/xOWFTd3z8DY

Instructor: Geoff Desmoulin
Organization: GTD Scientific Inc.

Connect: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-desmoulin/

Send us a text

Duane Wolfe will present Instant Impact: Roll Call Training Powered by Video at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

Instant Impact: Roll Call Training Powered by Video
Duane Wolfe | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 1:45

Roll call is one of the most underutilized training opportunities in law enforcement. When done well, it can become a powerful daily touchpoint for learning, discussion, and skill reinforcement. When done poorly, it becomes routine, forgettable, or wasted time.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Duane Wolfe explains how trainers and supervisors can transform roll call into high-impact training using video. Drawing on decades of instructional experience and research in human performance, Duane walks through how to select effective video clips, identify decision points, pause strategically, and facilitate meaningful discussion that reinforces policy, tactics, and judgment.

The conversation explores both the strengths and limitations of video, including perceptual bias, hindsight bias, and the difference between what cameras capture and what officers actually perceive. Duane also discusses how video-based roll call training supports spaced practice, improves retention, and creates opportunities to revisit critical skills and decision-making in short, focused sessions.

This episode provides a clear preview of what attendees can expect from Duane’s session at the ILEETA Conference & Expo. Participants will leave with practical methods they can apply immediately, whether they are full-time trainers or supervisors responsible for maximizing the “minutes that matter” each day.

Whether you are attending #ILEETA2026 or simply looking to improve how training is delivered between formal courses, this episode reflects the professionalism, practicality, and shared learning that define the ILEETA training community.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/FKqFkphlCQY

Instructor: Duane Wolfe
Connect with Duane:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duane-wolfe-34806828/

Send us a text

Mark Candies will present Enhancing Reality-Based Training with Adult Learning Principles at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

Enhancing Reality-Based Training with Adult Learning Principles
Mark Candies | ILEETA Conference & Expo
Course Length: 3:45

Reality-based training is most effective when it mirrors how officers think, decide, and act under stress. In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Mark Candies explains how adult learning principles can be deliberately integrated into reality-based training to improve retention, adaptability, and real-world performance.

The conversation explores how instructors can use constraints-led design, interleaving, effortful retrieval, and structured debriefs to move beyond scripted scenarios and single “right answer” outcomes. Mark also discusses how equipment, time, and organizational constraints influence training—and how instructors can mitigate those limitations through intentional design and facilitation.

This episode provides a practical preview of Mark’s session at #ILEETA2026 and delivers value for any instructor seeking to improve decision-making, contextual understanding, and learning transfer through reality-based training.

🎥 Watch the full interview:
(link to be added once posted)

Instructor: Mark Candies
Connect with Mark:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mark-candies-36a56375