The National Sheriffs' Association and the United States Marshals Service are partnering to bring you the National Conference on Court & Judicial Security June 24-25, 2009 Broward County Convention Center, Florida

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Schedule of Events

Wednesday, June 24

Panel Discussion on Mexican Narco-Terrorists and Border Violence
This panel discussion will focus on issues involving Mexican Narco-Terrorists and problems with law enforcement, high threat trials, courthouse and judicial security, and prisoner housing and transportation.
Moderator: US Marshal David P. Gonzalez
Presenters: Sheriff Arvin West, Hudspeth County, TX; Sheriff Larry Dever, Cochise County, AZ; Sheriff Ralph Ouden, Yuma County, AZ

Education Based Discipline (EBD)
Education-Based Discipline is an innovative alternative to traditional disciplinary suspensions. Learn how EBD reduces management-employee conflict and embitterment that results from withholding employee's pay.  Instead, see how offering optional behavior-focused education and training department-wide enhances communication, character, competence, and trust.  The Mission of EBD is to develop an individualized remedial plan with the involvement of the employee that emphasizes education, training, and other creative interventions thereby promoting a more comprehensive and successful outcome.
Presenters: Sheriff Lee Baca, Commander Thomas M. Laing, and Lt. Mike Parker, Los Angeles County, CA

Central Command: Control Rooms Key to Courthouse Safety and Security
Though physically a small area of a courthouse, control rooms are the epicenter of command and control. Four parameters – defined space requirements, new security technologies, suitable redundancy and/or emergency back-up plans, and the human element – are crucial to maximizing the efficiency and overall readiness of USMS command and control rooms. This presentation will leverage the experience of the Marshals Service to delve into critical elements of control room design, covering such topics as heat load and ventilation, sound attenuation, cabling under raised floors, ergonomic interfaces, lighting, and equipment layout.
Presenter: Rance Culver and David Leventhal, Security Specialists, Office of Security Systems, USMS, Washington DC

National Center for Judicial Security Fellows Program
This program will educate Sheriffs and participants on the Fellowship Program and the benefits to their counties and districts.
Presenters: Lt. Travis Robinson, New Hanover County, NC, Sheriff's Office; Major John Horne, St. Mary's County MD, Sheriffs' Office; Lt. Keith Bageant, Prince George's County, MD, Sheriff's Office

New Courthouse Construction Best Practices
Many factors need to be considered in the site selection, design, and constructing of new courthouses. During building site selection, an analysis of topography, vegetation, adjacent land use, vehicle and pedestrian circulation pattern, utility locations, and existing and proposed lighting requirements is crucial. The building design effort should focus on limiting entry points, while addressing the requirement of separate circulation patterns for the public, prisoners, and the judiciary. Some simple steps, such as properly locating air intakes and data closets, can greatly reduce overall security systems costs. Site security during construction is often overlooked and can lead to project delays if not adequately addressed. This presentation will guide those at the state and local level who are planning new facilities in the steps necessary to make their projects a success.
Presenter: Steve Pickering and Jeremy Stinson, Security Specialists, Office of Security Systems, USMS, Washington DC

USMS Canine Program
The USMS Explosives Detection Canine Program provides technical and security support by searching for explosive devices in the safest, most expedient manner possible, considering the safety of the judiciary, the court staff, the public, and law enforcement officers; assisting other law enforcement agencies upon request in searching for explosive devices and technical assistance; and meeting with civic groups, professional organizations and the public through lectures and demonstrations on the deployment of canine teams and the overall mission responsibilities of the US Marshals Service.
Presenters: Supervisory Inspector Michael Pyo, Tactical Operations Division, USMS, Washington, DC

The Impact of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) on Court Officers
Learn how the provisions of PREA apply to lock-ups and short-term holding facilities maintained by law enforcement agencies and the courts.  If your organization, or organizations you represent, are responsible for operating short-term holding facilities and court-holding for arrestees – lock-ups – then you need to be up-to-date about PREA.
Presenters: TBD

Thursday, June 25

Roundtable of Emerging Issues
A roundtable discussion of emerging issues which face the counties, states, and the federal systems that impact Sheriffs' offices and the USMS.
Moderator: John Matthews, Executive Director, Community Safety Institute, Red Oak, TX
Presenter: Assistant Director Michael J. Prout, Judicial Security Division; Sheriff Lee Baca; Sheriff John Zaruba; Timothy Falsko, National Center for State Courts

Creating a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for Courts
Presenters: TBD

Threat Management and the Protective Response
This multimedia seminar addresses threats and inappropriate communications as well as the protection of judges and public officials. The speakers will detail the US Marshals Services integrated process of protective investigations, protective response, and appropriate mitigation strategies. Presentation of the finished version of the video entitled ""Project 365"" will be part of this presentation. ""Project 365"" is a dynamic off site, residential, and family security awareness video designed in partnership between the judiciary and the U.S. Marshals Service. It was inspired by attacks on judicial officials on the federal and state levels.    
Presenters: Deputy Assistant Director Robert Fagan; Chief Michael Rose; Chief Dave Sligh, Judicial Security Division, USMS, Washington, DC and Assistant Chief John Muffler

Case Studies: Judges and Public Officials in Danger
The panel discussion will consist of a presentation on the behavior-based approach to protective investigations, with a review of three cases: the February 2008 mass murder at the Kirkwood, Missouri City Council Chambers; the Pinellis County, Florida Courthouse Shooting; and the February 2005 murders of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow's mother and husband in Chicago, IL.
Presenters: Lt. Chris Nagel, Kirkwood PD, MO; Assistant Director Michael J. Prout, Judicial Security Division; Chief Michael Rose, OPI, USMS, Washington DC; Deputy Sheriff (ret.) B.J. Lyons, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

Best Practices: Contracting for Courthouse Security
The US Marshals Service annually procures over $350 million worth of security services and equipment from the private sector. The USMS partners with the private sector by contracting with private security guard companies to carry out the security responsibilities of entry-level screening, roving patrols, and control room monitoring; and with security equipment vendors for security systems. The USMS has developed a staffing formula to assure uniform security coverage at all facilities. The USMS contracts with security guard companies to employ more than 5000 court security officers in more than 400 court facilities nationwide.
Presenter: Assistant Chief Judith Hotchkiss, USMS, Arlington, VA