Over the past several months the Idaho Falls Police Department, City of Idaho Falls, and the Idaho Commission of Hispanic Affairs have been working together to organize and host this conference, which will include attendees from the Idaho Falls Police Department and other law enforcement agencies from around Idaho. Over 130 law enforcement officers, civilian police staff and dispatchers are expected to attend the conference. A number of others are expected to attend the conference virtually. 

“This is an opportunity for vested stakeholders to open lines of communication between law enforcement and communities. The goal is for participants to take resources from the conference that they can use in their communities.” – Margie Gonzalez Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. 

The idea for this conference began when Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson attended a similar conference in the Boise area several months ago. 

“I was so impressed by the presentation given by Officer Ed Moreno from the Boise Police Department and other aspects of the conference,” said Chief Johnson. “Our Training and Professional Standards Bureau reached out to ask if we could host a similar conference on this side of the state and the Idaho Commission of Hispanic Affairs agreed to partner with us in the endeavor.”

Idaho Falls Police Chief Johnson, City of Idaho Falls Mayor Casper, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs Executive Director Margie Gonzalez, and Idaho Governor Brad Little are slated to give either opening or closing addresses. The conference will feature keynote addresses and presentations from:

• Dr. Robert Strauss from Global Perspective Consulting, LLC
• Idaho Falls Police Lieutenant John Marley
• Dr. Tracie Keesee from Center for Policing Equity
• Boise Police Department Officer Ed Moreno
• Sheriff Ed Gonzalez from the Harris County Sheriff Department in Houston, Texas. 

(Sheriff Gonzalez was recently nominated by United States President Joseph Biden to become the next director of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Office.)

Many of these addresses will be given live in person and some will be presented virtually.

The conference will take place at the Melaleuca Headquarters Event Center, which was graciously donated by Melaleuca. Other sponsors for the conference include the Idaho Dairyman’s Association, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Central Credit Union, Tadd Jenkins Auto Group, Taylor Automotive Group, and Teton Volkswagen. Organizers would like to thank each of the sponsors for their support of the conference.