Law enforcement executives convene at KU for conversation about challenges facing small and rural agencies

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas, through its Center for Public Safety Leadership, strengthened its role as a national convener for law enforcement by hosting the 2025 Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association Annual Conference.

Participants from across Kansas, the U.S. and Canada attended the event, held July 27-29 on the KU campus in Lawrence. The event underscored the center’s and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center’s commitment to fostering dialogue and solutions for critical issues facing agencies nationwide. CPSL, KLETC and Jayhawk Hospitality served as co-sponsors.

The conference drew speakers from across the country, offering diverse perspectives on the complex challenges facing small and rural law enforcement agencies. Keynote speakers included Tony Schiena, known as “The Real-Life 007” and an expert in counterterrorism and human trafficking, and David (Kawika) Lau, who spoke on “Courage Under Pressure: Harnessing Resilience in Law Enforcement.”

Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including leadership development, officer health and resiliency, swatting, sovereign citizen encounters, media relations, case studies of major crimes, drone operations for rural and tribal agencies, mental health in law enforcement, artificial intelligence threats to children online and election security.

“This was a great opportunity to partner with a national organization like SRLEEA and not only bring this training to Kansas, but to the KU campus in Lawrence as well,” said Troy Livingston, director of the Center for Public Safety Leadership.

The opening session featured welcome remarks from Darin Beck, vice provost and director of police training; a video message from U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and remarks from FBI Assistant Director Gregory Heeb, signaling strong federal engagement.

Hosting a national conference like SRLEEA elevates CPSL from a regional training center to a recognized national hub for public safety discussion and collaboration. Messages from a U.S. senator and the FBI underscored the center’s growing role in addressing challenges facing small and rural agencies nationwide.

Kansas attendees came from Baldwin City, Bentley, Holton, Lawrence, Lenexa, Maize, Mission, Olathe, Overland Park, Salina, Shawnee, Topeka and Wichita.