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Revealing the ILEETA Logo at the 2026 Conference & Expo

Revealing the ILEETA Logo at the 2026 Conference & Expo At the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, we had the opportunity to introduce something new during Opening Ceremonies, a logo that reflects not only who we are today, but who we have always been. A fresh new look grounded in tradition For many in the room, the ILEETA name and symbol are instantly recognizable. For years, the legacy logo has represented a global community of trainers committed to improving law enforcement training. That identity remains unchanged. The new logo was never intended to replace that legacy, but to build upon it. At the top or along side the new design, you will still see the familiar elements that have defined ILEETA for decades. The star remains. The structure of the lettering remains. Even with a modern update, including the A crossing over the T, the logo intentionally carries forward the visual identity that so many of our members recognize and respect. It is a bridge between past and present, honoring the work that built this organization while positioning it for continued growth. Surrounding the logo is a circle, representing something that has become increasingly clear over the years, ILEETA is a global community. What started as a conference has evolved into a worldwide network of trainers connected by a shared mission. That circle reflects the reach of our members across countries, disciplines, and agencies, and reinforces a simple truth, no trainer stands alone. At the center of the design is a platform supported by three pillars. The platform symbolizes the mission of of ILEETA: Inspire Excellence in Law Enforcement Training. These pillars represent the core values that guide ILEETA in everything we do, Connection, Evolution, and Legacy. Connection is the foundation of this organization. It is the relationships built in classrooms, hallways, and conversations between sessions. It is the network of trainers who support one another, challenge one another, and grow together. ILEETA has often been described as a community that just happens to host a conference, and that idea is captured clearly in this pillar. Evolution reflects our commitment to progress. Law enforcement training does not stand still, and neither can we. At ILEETA, evolution is not about chasing trends, it is about intentional, thoughtful improvement. It is about integrating research, experience, and innovation in a way that strengthens the profession without losing sight of what matters most. Legacy is what ties it all together. The work of a trainer is rarely measured in immediate outcomes. It is seen over time, in the decisions officers make, in the lives they protect, and in the standards they carry forward. The legacy of ILEETA lives in the people it develops and the impact those individuals have long after the training ends. The new logo represents all of this. It is a symbol of continuity, growth, and purpose. It reflects a global community grounded in shared values and committed to inspiring excellence in law enforcement training. As we move […]

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Tactical Nervous System Training: Biofeedback for the Badge, Patrick Scott Welsh and Melis Yilmaz Balban

Executive Summary Law enforcement training has long focused on external skills, marksmanship, tactics, and decision-making under pressure. What often gets overlooked is the officer’s internal operating system: the nervous system itself. Under stress, physiological responses like elevated heart rate, shallow breathing, and tunnel vision can scramble perception and impair judgment. Misreading those internal cues can be just as dangerous as misreading the scene in front of us. In Tactical Nervous System Training: Biofeedback for the Badge, Patrick Scott Welsh and Melis Yilmaz Balban make a compelling case for integrating biofeedback into police training. Their research highlights how stress physiology impacts decision-making and shows that biofeedback offers officers a way to recognize, regulate, and recalibrate their internal state. In practice, biofeedback helps officers build awareness of their unique “stress fingerprint,” improve self-regulation, and enhance performance in critical moments. The implications are clear: this is more than a wellness tool. It is a readiness tool. Agencies that adopt nervous system training can improve decision-making, reduce use-of-force errors, and foster a healthier culture that prioritizes officer resilience. Just as we normalize firearms qualification, we should normalize nervous system training. Our most important piece of tactical gear isn’t on our duty belt—it’s inside us. Read the full article on the ILEETA website (Membership Required) to explore how biofeedback can sharpen decision-making and reshape the future of law enforcement training. Patrick Scott Welsh Bio Melis Yilmaz Balban Bio      

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Expanding Police Instructor’s Horizons Through International Police Training by Joseph Trindal

Abstract Global transfer of knowledge in the law enforcement profession is greater today than ever before. Police instructors are at the forefront of this transfer. Opportunities for police instructors to train foreign police students offer both rewards and challenges. The ILEETA article, Expanding Police Instructor’s Horizons through International Police Training provides a wealth of information for  those considering or engaged in foreign police training. This article helps you gain insights into cultural awareness; it’s not just about the country. The value of learning-centered teaching to actively engage the student greatly enhances instructional quality and retention. Adapting classroom management to international police students requires clarity and creativity. Teaching through  interpreters requires a team approach that improves with experience. This article gives several tips for the instructor to experience the tremendous rewards of sharing law enforcement subjects  with the world. Putting foreign police students first in their learning experience enriches the instructor’s own experience with every class. International police instructor presents different challenges and enormous rewards that last a lifetime.   Click here to access the full paper. ILEETA Membership is required.  Joseph Trindal With a passion to continue making a difference, Mr. Joseph Trindal is a senior law enforcement development coordinator supporting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).  He also serves on the executive committee of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Training and Standards (IADLEST).  His distinguished law enforcement career includes two decades with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) achieving the position of Chief Deputy before accepting an invitation to become a founding leader in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Director for the Federal Protective Service (FPS), National Capital Region (NCR).  His career progression included the USMS Training Academy where he served as the senior firearms instructor.  He remained an Academy adjunct instructor for several years.  At FPS, Mr. Trindal managed and expanded the only Regional Training Academy as well as serving as a senior advisor to the FPS National Academy.  In over 30 years of law enforcement service, he received two DOJ special achievement awards, one for saving an FPS officer’s life, 18 DOJ superior and sustained performance awards, a District of the Year Award, and several DHS team awards and interagency commendations.  He also served as president of the Protective Services Training Academy and as a director at the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy.  Mr. Trindal served on the instructor faculty at George Washington University, guest lecturer at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia as well as president emeritus at the FBI InfraGard NCR Members Alliance.  He holds several instructor certifications including as an IADLEST nationally and internationally certified instructor.  He has published over 30 articles in professional publications, most prominently in the Domestic Preparedness Journal.  He is a founding member of the Preparedness Leadership Council.  A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Trindal holds degrees, with academic honors, in police science and criminal justice and was a founding executive member of the North Carolina […]

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