The ILEETA Learning Lab

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Harinder Singh will present Leaders Follow First – Mastering Trust & Perceptive Awareness at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB
ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Harinder Singh for a Learning Lab conversation focused on a powerful leadership principle:
The state of the operator determines the outcome.
In this conversation, Harinder explores how upgrading from IQ to EQ to CQ (Conscious Intelligence) allows leaders to slow down time, regulate pressure, and respond consciously rather than react emotionally.
From tactical breathwork and the power of the pause to perceptive awareness and trust-building, this discussion challenges leaders and instructors to examine how internal state shapes external performance.
This conversation provides context before the course, reinforces key ideas after the course, and offers practical tools for anyone responsible for leading under pressure.

COURSE CONTEXT
Course Title: Leaders Follow First – Mastering Trust & Perceptive Awareness
Instructor: Harinder Singh
Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo
Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026
🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Effective leadership begins internally.
In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Harinder Singh discusses:
Why leaders must “follow first” to truly lead
The law of effective interaction: perception → experience → action
How interpretive filters shape decision-making
The difference between reacting and consciously responding
The power of the pause between stimulus and response
Tactical breathwork and grounding under stress
Adapting in real time instead of relying on fixed responses
Rather than focusing on tactics alone, this session addresses the operating system behind leadership performance: awareness, adaptability, and trust.
Whether you are an academy director, supervisor, defensive tactics instructor, or executive leader, this conversation offers practical insight into mastering perceptive awareness and building trust in high-pressure environments.

CONNECT WITH HARINDER SINGH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sifusingh/
Website: https://www.sifusingh.com/

WATCH OR LISTEN
🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview
https://youtu.be/J1tlvbmg5YU
🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab
https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms.

ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB
The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training.
These conversations are designed to complement conference courses, support instructors, and extend learning beyond the classroom.

#InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026

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Travis Stansell will present Leadership in a Training Environment at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB
ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Travis Stansell for a Learning Lab conversation focused on a critical question for modern law enforcement:

What does leadership really look like inside a training environment?
From academy culture to instructor mentorship, Travis shares how moving beyond outdated “boot camp” methods creates stronger teams, more professional standards, and better prepared officers for the street.
This conversation provides context before the course, reinforces key ideas after the course, and challenges training leaders to rethink how culture shapes curriculum.

COURSE CONTEXT
Course Title: Leadership in a Training Environment
Instructor: Travis Stansell
Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo
Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026
🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Leadership inside a training environment is different from leadership on patrol.

As Director of the Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy, Travis Stansell has had to rethink how teams are built, how professionalism is modeled, and how culture directly impacts learning outcomes.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Travis discusses:
Building an effective training team, whether you handpick it or inherit it
Creating a growth-oriented culture that prioritizes professionalism over fear
The difference between stress-based training and constructive discipline
Why leaders must model the behaviors they expect from cadets
How instructor buy-in shapes the future of an academy
Rather than focusing on curriculum details, this session addresses the deeper foundation of training culture. It challenges leaders to examine whether their environment produces compliance or professionalism.
Whether you run a regional academy, lead a departmental training unit, or influence training culture in any capacity, this conversation offers practical insight into building a supportive and accountable learning environment.

TOPICS DISCUSSED
Leadership differences between patrol and training environments
Moving beyond outdated “boot camp” methods
Instructor autonomy and team development
Creating a safe environment to fail and learn
Culture as the foundation of professional standards
Modeling behavior and mentoring the next generation
Using cadet feedback to improve training systems

WATCH OR LISTEN
🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview
https://youtu.be/j4J1kv_xUzU
🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab
https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms.

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Dwayne Bryant will present The New Conversation – The Leader Within at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB
ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Dwayne Bryant for a Learning Lab conversation about one of the most important realities in modern policing:
Every critical encounter contains two nervous systems.
One in the patrol car, one in the vehicle being stopped.
If fear and assumptions drive the interaction, outcomes degrade fast.
If professionalism, emotional regulation, and communication lead the way, trust and safety improve for everyone.

This conversation is designed to give context before the course, reinforce key ideas after the course, and challenge trainers and leaders to rethink how we build community trust while protecting officer wellness and performance.

COURSE CONTEXT
Course Title: The New Conversation – The Leader Within
Instructor: Dwayne Bryant
Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo
Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Dwayne Bryant’s course was born from a powerful moment. While working with fourth, fifth, and sixth graders on the South Side of Chicago, Dwayne asked a simple question:
“If you were doing nothing wrong and a police car pulled up, what would you do?”
Their answer was immediate: “Run.”
Not because they were guilty, but because they were afraid.

That moment led Dwayne down a path of deeper study and real-world exposure to both the lived experience of community fear and the operational realities of officer fear. In this Learning Lab interview, Dwayne explains why the “new conversation” is not about blaming police or preaching buzzwords. It’s about building leaders who can regulate emotion, communicate under pressure, and understand the historical and social dynamics that shape perception before a word is ever spoken.

The discussion covers Guardian vs Warrior mindsets, the physiological and family impact of chronic “warrior mode,” and why culture and professionalism matter more than slogans. Dwayne also shares a practical instructor development tip: congruency, living your message, and being your own best billboard.

TOPICS DISCUSSED
What sparked The New Conversation and why it matters now
Why fear is present on both sides of critical encounters
Guardian vs Warrior mindset, and what it costs over time
Emotional regulation and professionalism as safety factors
Why history and perception shape today’s interactions
Officer wellness realities and the need for honest conversations
How culture exposes or protects “bad apples”
Instructor tip: congruency, credibility, and living the message

WATCH OR LISTEN
🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview
https://youtu.be/YDAfiHgbnXA

🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab
https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/
(Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and most major platforms)

CONNECT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR

Dwayne Bryant - Inner Vision International

https://dwaynebryant.com/the-conversation/

https://www.facebook.com/dwayne.bryant.39

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmELAlaEFS8eznFpPdFR1qQ

https://www.instagram.com/iamdwaynebryant/

#InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026

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Dan Greene will present Reading the Moment: Human Behavior and Tactical Decision-Making at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB
ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Dan Greene for a Learning Lab conversation focused on a critical gap in law enforcement training:

De-escalation is not a single skill.
Decision-making under pressure is not instinct alone.
Both must be trained deliberately, systematically, and with context.

This conversation is designed to give context before the course, reinforce key ideas after the course, and challenge trainers to rethink how human behavior, stress, and decision-making are taught across agencies.

COURSE CONTEXT
Course Title: Reading the Moment: Human Behavior and Tactical Decision-Making
Instructor: Dan Greene
Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo
Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026

🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Law enforcement officers are expected to make high-consequence decisions in environments shaped by uncertainty, emotion, time pressure, and human behavior. Yet decision-making and de-escalation are often fragmented across multiple lesson plans, policies, and training blocks.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Dan Greene explains how his agency consolidated decades of research, experience, and best practices into a unified decision-making framework. Drawing from Force Science, PERF ICAT, CIT principles, human performance research, and operational experience, Dan outlines a practical model that helps officers:

• Read human behavior in real time
• Slow encounters when appropriate
• Prioritize safety, time, and stabilization
• Make defensible decisions rooted in policy, law, and values

Dan also discusses how this framework improves consistency across officers, supports training documentation, and provides clarity during internal reviews and legal scrutiny.

This conversation provides essential context for Dan’s conference session and delivers immediate value to instructors, FTOs, supervisors, and training leaders.

TOPICS DISCUSSED
• Why de-escalation is an outcome, not a single tactic
• Reading behavior and conditions under stress
• Human performance factors in real-world decision-making
• Building a unified, agency-wide decision-making model
• Training decision-making through scenarios and after-action reviews
• Why interaction matters more than lectures in modern classrooms

CONNECT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR
Dan Greene
Executive Director, National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO)
Website: https://nafto.org

ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB
The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training.

These conversations are designed to complement conference courses, support instructors, and extend learning beyond the classroom.

#InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yyeow3y-u7U 

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John Weiss III will present A Brief and Incomplete History of Gunfighting at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, March 16–21, 2026.
👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB
ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with John Weiss III for a Learning Lab conversation that explores an often-overlooked truth in law enforcement training:

Modern tactics make more sense when you understand where they came from.

This conversation uses history not as nostalgia, but as a powerful instructional tool. It is designed to give context before the course, reinforce key lessons after the course, and challenge trainers to rethink how storytelling, history, and perspective can elevate any training topic.

COURSE CONTEXT
Course Title: A Brief and Incomplete History of Gunfighting
Instructor: John Weiss III
Course Length: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo
Location: St. Louis, Missouri | March 16–21, 2026
Find this course on the conference schedule:
https://www.ileeta.org/conference/

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Firearms training is often taught as a collection of techniques, drills, and standards. What is frequently missing is the story behind those techniques and why they evolved the way they did.

In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, John Weiss III traces the evolution of gunfighting as America’s martial art, from the early days of Colt’s revolver to modern law enforcement applications. Through vivid storytelling and historical context, John demonstrates how history can be used as a teaching force multiplier, not just an interesting sidebar.

The conversation highlights how technology, culture, and human behavior shaped the way gunfighting evolved and why understanding that evolution makes instructors more effective today. John also models how narrative can be used to keep students engaged, improve retention, and bring depth to even the most technical subject matter.

This interview provides valuable context for John’s extended course and serves as a live example of how instructors can use history and storytelling to energize their own training programs.

TOPICS DISCUSSED
Gunfighting as the American martial art
How firearms technology shaped tactics and decision-making
Why historical context improves modern training
Storytelling as an instructional tool for adult learners
Using narrative to elevate firearms and use-of-force instruction

WATCH OR LISTEN
YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview
https://youtu.be/1tS6hOlwUsk
Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab
https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/
(Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and most major platforms)

CONNECT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR
John Weiss III
Website: https://teamonenetwork.com/instructors/john-weiss/

ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB
The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training.
These conversations are designed to complement conference courses, support instructors, and extend learning beyond the classroom.
#InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026

Send us Fan Mail

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

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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

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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

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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

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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/