Police Chiefs from across North Carolina will be in Durham January 11-14, 2009 attending the Winter Conference of the NC Association of Chiefs of Police (NCACP) at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. As the host agency of the conference this year, the City of Durham Police Department (DPD) is preparing for Opening Ceremonies and off-site events like the Host Chief's Dinner Event.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the department and some of the community's cultural and historical treasures," says Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez, Sr., who enthusiastically bid to host the conference. "My staff and many of the department's corporate partners have put forth extraordinary efforts to provide conference attendees and guests enriching experiences during their visit to Durham."

Opening Ceremonies participants include the DPD Honor Guard, the DPD Choir and remarks from Mayor William V "Bill" Bell and Chief Lopez. The Host Chief's Dinner at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club will feature live music by the Mobile City Band (whose bass player is DPD Senior Planner and former Duke University police chief Lew Wardell). For spouses of police chiefs attending the conference, day excursions to the new Durham Performing Arts Center, Duke Homestead and the Somerhill Gallery are planned.

A primary objective of the NCACP and its annual conference is to foster police cooperation, unity of action and the exchange of information and experience among police officers of North Carolina. "The NCACP conference brings together 100-plus law enforcement chiefs from across the state," says Merl Hamilton, First Vice President of the Association and Chief of the Concord Police Department. "Chief Lopez and staff have done an excellent job coordinating activities that will add extraordinary aspects to this year's conference, and excellent training is planned by the Association that will be of great benefit to the participants and the communities they serve."

Session topics of the 2009 Winter Conference include: Computer Crime, Effective Budget Strategies in Hard Economic Times; Legal Rights Responsibilities and the Management; Recruitment, Retention and Turnover of Police Personnel; and Working with State Legislators.

For more information about the NC Association of Chiefs of Police and a detailed schedule of conference events, visit www.ncpolicechief.org.

Related Links

1. Durham Police Department