Conference Agenda

For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Police Executives Association (NCPEA) has hosted an annual training conference. In 2026, we will deliver an enhanced focus on learning and networking in beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina! We hope to see you there!

Join us in Wilmington, NC and you will have the opportunity to:

Network and build relationships with your peers and leaders from across North Carolina
Learn about best practices and innovative technologies that will help you serve your communities
Develop professional skills and participate in sessions focused on current and emerging law enforcement issues

Legal/Legislative Updates | Critical Incident Response | Career Development | and MORE!

Our 2026 NCPEA Conference schedule is found below:

Sunday, July 12, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Attendee Registration- Embassy Suites Hotel Lobby

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. NCPEA Board lunch Sponsored by The Security Industry Alarm Coalition-SIAC

12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Exhibitor Check-In and Set-up-Chief Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. NCPEA Board Meeting-(Salon D)

6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m. President’s Reception-Chief Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Ice Cream Social-lawn in front of Embassy Suites

Monday, July 13, 2026

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony-Chief Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Steve Parker-Chief of Police, Black Mountain Police Department: Hurricane Helene Response-Chief
Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

10:00 a.m. – Noon North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police Association Board Meeting (Salon D)
North Carolina Metro Chiefs Meeting (Salon D) meeting will start immediately after the NCACP
Board meeting concludes

10:45 a.m. – Noon Delegates and Exhibitor time-Chief Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

Noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch with Exhibitors-Chief Jerry Welch Exhibitor Hall-Wilmington Convention Center

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Det. Michael Collazo, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department: Response to The Covenant School
Shooting (Special Introduction from Stephen Herold, Regional Director – Critical Response
Group)-Wilmington Convention Center Grand Ballroom

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Legislative Update: Marie Evitt, North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association-Wilmington Convention Center
Grand Ballroom

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. Family Fun Run/Walk-Riverwalk/Embassy Suites

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. State/Federal Agency Updates-Sponsored by Whelen-Wilmington Convention Center Grand
Ballroom
Secretary Jeff Smythe, NC DPS
Director Eric Preddy, NC CJ Standards Division
Director Trevor Allen, NC Justice Academy
Director Bryan House, NC ALE
Director Chip Hawley, NC SBI
The Honorable Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., United States Marshal (USM) for the Eastern District of
North Carolina

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Leveling up your leadership 1 Degree; by LIVING your legacy, not leaving one, (Ret.) Chief Chris
Cowan, Sponsored by Extra Duty Solutions

11:00 a.m. – Noon Leadership in High-Risk Settings: Response to Hedingham, Sgt. David McDonald, Raleigh Police
Department-Wilmington Convention Center Grand Ballroom

Noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch-Wilmington Convention Center Grand Ballroom

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. NCPEA Annual Business Meeting-Wilmington Convention Center Grand Ballroom

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Response to Ambush: Major Brian Trull, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department-Wilmington
Convention Center Grand Ballroom

6:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour & Awards Banquet-Sponsored by AXON-Wilmington Convention Center Grand
Ballroom

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Closeout Session-Chief’s Panel-The Path to Leadership-moderated by NCPEA 1^st VP-Chief Celisa
Lehew-Wilmington Convention Center Grand Ballroom
Chief Somer Oberlin, Weaverville Police Dept.
Chief David Hess, Roxboro Police Dept.
Chief Julius Jefferson, Wake Forest Police Dept.
Chief Rico Boyce, Raleigh Police Dept.