KLETC deputy director named president of peace officer association


 

YODER — Darin Beck, deputy director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, has been elected the president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association by his member peers. The election took place at the annual fall KPOA convention in Hutchinson. He is the first attorney to serve as president of the association in its 97-year history.

“It is especially meaningful when a member of one of our divisions is formally recognized for his or her service to the state of Kansas. It also demonstrates another example of KU’s statewide outreach activities,” said Frederick Pawlicki, executive director of KU Continuing Education, upon learning of Beck’s appointment. “I congratulate Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Deputy Director Darin Beck on his election to the position of president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Recognition at this level by the KPOA clearly acknowledges Darin’s personal dedication to law enforcement training and to the safety of the citizens of Kansas.”

The KPOA is the oldest and largest professional law enforcement association in Kansas. It was founded in 1916 and currently has approximately 3,800 members statewide. The KPOA serves to promote personal acquaintance among peace officers in Kansas. It also aims to progress the science pertaining to the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension of criminals; promote the improvement of police service; advance the law enforcement profession; and raise the standard of law enforcement institutions and officials.

To be eligible to serve as an officer for the association, a person must be an active law enforcement officer in the state or an employee of KLETC. Candidates for the association presidency must first serve as association vice president and president-elect before being eligible to serve in the highest office.  

Beck originally joined the KLETC staff in 1999, serving nine years as associate general counsel for KU and assigned as legal counsel to KLETC. In 2009, he was named KLETC’s deputy director.

“Darin has been a skilled and successful advocate for superb law enforcement training and for our Kansas law enforcement officers for many years. His election to this position is indicative of his commitment to the mission of the Kansas Peace Officers Association and to the people of Kansas,” said James Pottorff Jr., KU general counsel.

As president, Beck is the spokesperson for KPOA and relays the concerns of law enforcement officers to constituents and partners throughout the state. He provides leadership to the association as it develops its stance on legislative issues and creates a vision for the association’s membership programs. He also represents the association on various boards and advisory groups, including most recently the Attorney General’s Gang Free Kansas committee.  

A unit of KU Continuing Education, KLETC is located at the former naval air station, near Yoder (12 miles southeast of Hutchinson). Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, the center trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Ed Pavey, director of KLETC, said, “Darin’s election as the 2013 KPOA president is significant in a couple of ways: Not only is he the first attorney to serve as president, but also his leadership reflects KLETC’s continuing partnership with the Kansas law enforcement community and KPOA. We’re very proud of his accomplishment.”

“I am honored to lead the Kansas Peace Officers Association; it is a strong and vital organization,” Beck said. “We are fortunate to have a core of dedicated members who work hard to ensure that KPOA continues to provide quality training, legislative representation, firearms programs, scholarship opportunities and conferences for our members. “   

 

Wed, 05/01/2013

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Kyle Garcia

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Kyle Garcia

KU Continuing Education

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