Officer Safety and Wellness Symposium

The Officer Safety and Wellness Symposium is not open to the general public. Attendance is open to sworn and civilian employees of public safety and government agencies; academics and students in public safety or related fields; and public safety medical/psychological professionals. Public safety includes offices of police, sheriffs, EMS, fire service, hazmat, and park rangers from federal, state, city, county, campus, and tribal agencies.

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IACP conducts a Call for Presentations each year for its Officer Safety and Wellness Symposium educational program. All completed submissions will be peer-reviewed. The Call for Presentations is now open here.

Below are a series of frequently asked questions regarding the Call for Presentations process, the review process, and speaking at the 2021 OSW Symposium.

Call for Presentations

Q: When does the Call for Presentations open for the 2021 OSW Symposium?
A: Monday, September 28th

Q: What is the deadline to complete a submission?
A: November 9th at Midnight 

Q: What topic should I submit for consideration for the 2021 OSW Symposium?
A: The IACP is looking for a variety of officer safety and wellness topics that are engaging, inspiring, and informative for law enforcement practitioners from around the world. Proposals should address contemporary or emerging officer safety and wellness issues confronting the law enforcement profession and the leaders of law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Behavioral Health
• Critical Incedent Support 
• Family Engagements/ Support Groups 
• Financial Literacy 
• Injury Reduction
• Leadership
• Medical Health
• Mental Health 
• Nutrition
• Peer Support
• Physical Fitness
• Resilience/ Mindfulness
• Sleep
• Substance Abuse/Misuse
• Suicide Prevention
• Tactical Safety 
• Traffic Safety
• Trauma

Q: Can I promote any products or services during my presentation?
A: No, IACP does not allow the promotion of products and services during educational sessions. Speakers can talk about products and services that have been used to solve a problem or address the presentation topic. Whenever possible presenters should suggest alternative products and services as well. Commercial based workshop submissions with no law enforcement practitioners will not be selected.

Q: What information is required?
A: The following information is required in order to submit a presentation proposal and to be considered for the 2021 OSW Symposium:

• Title of Presentation (100 characters)
• Presentation Description (800 characters)
• Three Learning Objectives  (300 characters each)
• Methodology (1000 characters)
• Topic
• Speaker/Co-Speaker Information (Name, Agency/Organization, Title, Phone Number, and Email)

Q: What should be in the Presentation Description?
A: Provide a bottom line up front description that encapsulates exactly what the presentation is about and what participants should expect to take away. This brief description is critical to catching the peer reviewer's attention and will also serve as the conference program description.

Q: What should I write for the Learning Objectives?
A: Well-developed Learning Objectives should be participant-oriented, observable, and measurable. Describe the skills, knowledge, and/or learning outcomes participants will be able to demonstrate as a result of this activity. (For example: At the culmination of this session, participants will be able to...)

Q: What should be included in the Methodology?
A: The methodology refers to how you will present the information (e.g., single speaker, panel, PowerPoint, exercise, activities). Use this area to also explain how your information was formulated and your sources (e.g., case studies, interviews, research).

Q: What are the available topics I can submit my proposal under?
A: Select the topic that best describes your proposal. This helps reviewers better organize and sort proposals.

• Family Wellness
• Mental/Behavioral Health
• Occupational/Tactical Safety
• Physical Health 

Q: Can I choose more than one topic?

A: You will be able to select one primary topic for your presentation. However you will be ale to select multiple sub-topics but having more than one sub-topic does not increase your chances of being selected.  

Q: What happens if I do not have all the required information to complete my proposal?
A: You will have the ability to change, edit, or withdraw your presentation proposal until the deadline. If you are missing required information, you can save your work and log back in at a later time to enter the information prior to the submission deadline. Please note: all proposals must be complete in order to be considered. Any proposals left “Incomplete” will not be considered for the 2021 OSW Symposium.

Q: How can I be sure the information I type will not be lost?
A: All information should be created and saved as a word processing document (such as Microsoft Word) prior to beginning the online submission process. Information can then be pasted into the appropriate fields on the web. Click the ‘Save’ button at the bottom of each step to ensure the information is not lost. The speaker step saves automatically as you add speakers.

Q: Do I have to submit my presentation proposal online?
A: Online submission of proposals is required.

Q: Do I have to have an email address to submit online?
A: Yes, confirmation and notification will be done via email. Please use an email address you check regularly.

Q: How will I know if my proposal was submitted successfully?
A: Once you have finalized your submission, an email confirmation will be sent to you confirming receipt of the presentation proposal. Before you submit your proposal, please make sure all steps have been completed, including the last step by checking the box to finalize your presentation proposal.

Review Process

Q: What is the review criteria for presentations?
A: All presentations are peer-reviewed by officer safety and wellness subject matter experts and IACP staff members. Reviewers will consider the following:

• Does the topic address a contemporary officer safety and wellness issue?
• Can the presented information apply to different-sized agencies and a diverse audience?
• Is the topic unique and information not available through other sources?
• Is the course description clear and concise? Can attendees easily tell what to expect by reading it?
• Are the learning objectives clear and can be met in the allotted time?
• Does the presentation support IACP’s high standards and reputation for the best conference workshops?
• Are the proposed speakers qualified to instruct the workshop topic?
• If the presentation is focused on a specific audience, is there a proposed speaker from that audience? For example, if the workshop is on nutrition, does the speaker have a background in nutrition or is it more anecdotal? The audience wants to learn from its peers and gain first-hand knowledge from those who have experienced the material or information presented.

Q: How is the review process conducted?
A: Reviewers evaluate the submissions based upon quality and criteria noted above. Top recommendations will then be evaluated by IACP staff to ensure the entire educational program is well-balanced. All submitters of presentation proposals will be notified via email whether their presentation has been accepted or declined by TBA.

Speaking at the 2021 OSW Symposium

Q: If accepted, how much time will I be given to present?
A: Workshops are 60 minutes long.

Q: When will I know if my presentation has been accepted for the 2021 OSW Symposium?
A: The submitter will receive notification from the by TBA.

Q: If my proposal is accepted, will I receive any compensation for presenting at the 2021 OSW Symposium?
A: IACP does not pay speakers or reimburse for travel or hotel expenses.

Q: If my proposal is accepted, will I receive complimentary registration?
A: Speakers will receive free complimentary registration.

Q: How are workshop rooms set up? What audio-visual equipment will be available for my presentation?
A: Workshop rooms will be set up to meet the requirements of the workshop, especially if the room is required for activities. Otherwise, all workshop rooms will be set theater style to maximize seating. A podium and head table several speakers is standard in each room for presenters. Additionally, the following AV equipment will be set in each room:

• (1) computer at the podium
• Audio connection from computer (to play DVD/video)
• (1) wireless presentation mouse
• (1) podium microphone
• (1) table-top microphone for panelists
• (1) wired audience microphone with stand for Q&A
• (1) screen
• (1) LCD projector

Any additional requests will be considered at the discretion of the OSW Symposium Team and the availability of such resources.

Q: I have never presented at an IACP Conference before. What is expected of me?
A: IACP conference attendees have invested time and expense to attend the conference. For these reasons, IACP works hard to ensure each and every event at the conference realizes its full potential. Our attendees expect:

• Presenters will prepare for their event prior to arrival.
• Presenters have significant knowledge and expertise of the subject area and have sufficient presentation skills to effectively communicate.
• Presenters will engage the audience. The greatest success you can have is to inspire your audience so they come out of the presentation buzzing with thoughts and ideas. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Engage your audience as quickly as possible.
• Presenters will not engage in commercial presentations of their organization.
• Presenters will be conscious of the time limit of their presentation.
• Presenters will not simply read directly from written statements.
• Presenters understand that materials provided for an IACP event become the property of the IACP (for placement on www.theiacp.org or use in other educational activities of the association).

If you do not see your question answered above, please contact oswconference@theiacp.org.

Exhibitor information will be posted as it becomes available.

For inquiries about 2021 OSW and other IACP events, contact:

sponsorship@theiacp.org