It is with extreme pride that I commence my role as the 2009-2011 President of the LETDANYS. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone   for this honor.

I would also like to personally thank past President Bob Iberger. He has done an outstanding job as President and will continue to be a source of guidance and support to me and the Executive Board. Thanks, Bobby – you are a true friend to all. We have an excellent cadre of leaders on the LETDANYS Executive Board with 1^st Vice President Chris Sherwood, 2^nd Vice President Sherman Jones, Treasurer Phil Mospan, Secretary Ed Hempling and Sgt-at-Arms Tamar Dreyer. I will be leaning on these individuals greatly for the next two years and look forward to working with them for the betterment of the Association.

1^st Vice President Sherwood is putting together the agenda for our Spring Conference which will be held at the Lake Placid Crowne Plaza on May 13-15, 2009. If you have any suggestions for agenda presenters, topics or programs which you think our membership might benefit from, please contact him at themardo@frontiernet.net. More information on the conference will be released in the next few weeks – so please mark your calendars for a great conference in beautiful Lake Placid.

In closing, over the next two years, I will continue to foster the “good works” this organization was founded on. With the uncertain economical challenges facing all our training budgets, the need for collaboration and partnerships among law enforcement trainers are more important now than ever before. We, as members of this organization, have the knowledge, skills and abilities to work together for the mutual benefit of all members and ultimately support our law enforcement officers through enhanced training and education. This is my goal and our Association’s mission.

Fraternally,
Charles J. Holder

President

Fellow Training Directors:

In-coming president Chuck Holder has put together another informative agenda which will include presentations addressing a number of contemporary challenges for law enforcement agencies. Following the opening with the Office of Public Safety and MPTC updates,  presentations over the next two days will explore the topics of “Environmental Strategies for Combating Underage Drinking” (a persistent problem throughout most communities); the “New NIJ Body Armor Standard and BVP Funding Update”; “Veterans Initiatives – Police and Returning Veterans Relations”, an issue that is going to grow as more and more veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan; “Police and School Collaborations “Winning the Battle Against Gangs, Drugs and Gun Violence”; “Domestic Terrorism- Groups, Tactics and Strategies”; concluding with a presentation by NYS Department of Motor Vehicle Investigators on “Identity Theft, Money Laundering and the Drug Trade” as related to the car industry.

In closing I’d like to wish all a very Happy, Joyous and Safe Holiday season and Happy New Year!!  See you at the Best Western Sovereign next year!

July 2008
Fellow Training Directors:

I hope this message finds all of our members well and enjoying the hazy lazy days of summer!

Before we know it the fall Conference (September 17-19th) will be upon us as we meet in Saratoga Springs.

Robert Iberger

Agenda Chairman Chuck Holder has put together another enticing and informative agenda with the main conference starting off Wednesday afternoon featuring presentations by Jim Hogencamp and other DCJS staff members, Rich Devlin of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, along with Matt Mattney of the Office of Homeland Security.  Thursday’s agenda will be focused on the unfolding dynamics of forensic crime scene investigation in the 21st Century, the “CSI Effect” and the resulting collateral impact on us as trainers and training directors.   Presenting will be representatives of the Northeast Regional Forensic Institute, the DCJS DNA Databank and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.  As always the conference will finish with the Association business meeting on Friday.

The Academy Directors pre-conference session will again precede the conference on Wednesday morning and as always this component should be very beneficial to those who are actual Academy Directors responsible for the delivery of the Basic Course for Police Officer, the Basic Criminal Investigator Course and the First Line Supervisor Course. This session will be facilitated by committee chairwoman Maryellen Martirano, of the Westchester County Police Academy mxm5@westchestergov.com .  This session is a great opportunity for Academy Directors to interface with fellow academy directors.

Although this conference agenda is full, First Vice President and Agenda Chairperson Chuck Holder is always looking for agenda items to be presented at future conferences (especially new or innovative programs or projects you may be developing or presenting). He can be contacted at holder@sheriff.us  .

Our longtime secretary Chief Greg Deluca of Little Falls PD recently retired and his term will now be graciously completed by Ed Hempling Director or the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy.

Thanks to Greg for his many years of dedicated service to the Association both as a member of the board and through his participation on numerous committees. Best of everything in your Retirement Greg!!

We will also be taking nominations for the positions of 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer at this business meeting for anyone who may be interested.

I look forward to seeing those of you who are able to join us and enjoy the ambiance and hospitality of the Inn at Saratoga, as well as the many great restaurants and attractions the community offers. (Make your reservations early as the Inn fills up quickly.  If that should happen, not to worry, we have the Holiday Inn directly across the street from the Inn at Saratoga for any overflow.)

In closing I would like to wish everyone a safe an enjoyable remainder of summer and hopefully, see you in September!!

Very truly

Robert P. Iberger
President

Fellow Training Directors:
Well once again were able to enjoy the winter ambiance of Albany in January with only the slightest hint of snow. For those of you who were able to be a part of the 2008 winter gathering of fellow New York State law enforcement trainers, it was great to see you and thank you for your contribution towards another successful conference.

The Academy Directors pre-conference session appeared to once again be very productive as issues impacting academies throughout the state were front and center, including a continued examination of issues related to the content of the First Line Supervisor Course. Chaired by Maryellen Martirano, of the Westchester County Police Academy mxm5@westchestergov.com these sessions are a great opportunity for Academy Directors to interface with fellow academy directors.

On the DCJS front, Jim Hogencamp brought along the office staff for numerous updates and summaries of various DCJS initiatives including the Basic Investigative Photography Course, the Evidence Technician Course, Illegal Gun Training, Indoor Marijuana Lab training, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, et al. A diverse agenda opened with an overview of a successful implementation of an innovative and well thought out “Electronic Control Device” program, next up was a charismatic perspective on combating the encroachment of the scourge of methamphetamine followed by an innovative presentation on Police Relations with the Deaf & Hearing Impaired, culminating with a very empathic team presentation on Sexual Assaults and Persons with Disabilities . All in all, a thorough exposure to some great available training programs!

Kudos to all of our presenters, who delivered an informative agenda over the course of Wednesday and Thursday. Thank you once again to our corporate members for their continued support of the organization and, and to my fellow Executive Board members for all their work behind the scenes to keep the Association functioning!
Our May conference in Lake Placid will find LETDANYS recognizing the 30th anniversary of the start up of the Association. Three decades of continuously sharing innovative contemporary law enforcement training-initiatives in conjunction with the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Municipal Police Training Council. As I’ve often stated : Where else will you find an association of trainers with the symbiotic relationship we have with DCJS and the MPTC?

This will really be a landmark meeting for our Association and I am hoping for a great turnout. I am also hopeful that any and all surviving past Association Presidents might be able to join us in Lake Placid, at least for the annual barbeque on Thursday night, if not for the entire conference.
Speaking of the May conference, First Vice President and Agenda Chairperson Chuck Holder has indicated that he is still looking for agenda items to be presented at Lake Placid. He can be contacted at holder@sheriff.us .

I’d like to take a moment to recognize long time LETDANYS member Mike Bailey for his years of service to the Association. Mike served us as a presenter, Sergeant at Arms and most recently as Second Vice President. The good news is that Mike was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, the bad news is that his current duties removed him from training position, making an active role with LETDANYS virtually impossible. He recently advised the Board that in the best interest of the Association he regretfully would resign from his position as Association 2^nd.Vice President. Congratulations Mike and good luck in your current assignment!
Taking Mike’s place on the Executive Board will be the previous Sergeant at Arms, Chris Sherwood of the Rockland County Public Safety Training Academy. Filling Chris’ vacated position of Sergeant at Arms will be Tamara Dreyer of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Congratulations to both Chris and Tami on your new positions.

In closing I would like to ask everyone to continue to keep in their thoughts, the members of the Armed Services, especially members of our law enforcement family who are currently serving and any of our family members who may be so serving.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Lake Placid!

(May 14-16, 2008).
Very truly

Robert P. Iberger

President

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
September 2007

Fellow Training Directors:

Once again it was great to see all of those who were able to join us and be a part the 2007 Fall LETDANYS Conference in Saratoga Springs! Thank you to all of our presenters, who provided an insightful agenda over the course of Wednesday and Thursday, to our corporate members for their continued support of the organization and to all conference participants in attendance, and executive board members who collectively gave us another successful conference.

As has been our previous experience, we were provided a most hospitable and enjoyable stay by the folks at the very quaint- Inn at Saratoga.

A warm welcome to a good number of new faces who we hope will continue to be part of our conferences for many future conferences to come.

Our recently added Academy Directors pre-conference session appeared to once again be very productive. Chaired by Maryellen Martirano, of the Westchester County Police Academy mxm5@westchestergov.com , there was an extensive dialogue collectively examining contemporary issues related to the First Line Supervisor Course. If you are Law Enforcement Academy Director, I think the consensus of those who have participated in the pre-conference meeting, is that these sessions are a unique opportunity to network among your peers from throughout the state, regarding issues primarily limited to those responsible for the operation of these institutions and delivery of mandated training programs.

During the conference we were provided with DCJS/OPS updates, specifically on the topics of Missing Persons, Amber Alerts (including the update training materials DCJS has put together), along with the preview of an Internet Safety Training programs for adults as well as children now available on DVD, a Supreme Court /Legal Updates often found to be as colorful as the fall foliage, an enlightening insight into gang codes, signals and symbols, and concluding with a presentation on major Event Planning and fraud and counterfeiting by the local Secret Service office. A more thorough synopsis of conference presentations will be available shortly in the Association Newsletter when completed by Second Vice President Michael Bailey.

In closing I would like to ask everyone to keep in their thoughts the members of the armed services, especially members of our law enforcement family who are currently serving and any of our family members who may be so serving.

Until we next assemble, I’d like to wish everyone and their families a great fall season and very safe and enjoyable holiday seasons!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Best Western Sovereign in Albany!
(January 16-18, 2008).

Very truly
Robert P. Iberger
President